Assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness in medical students using the Queen’s College Step Test: A gender-based analysis of VO2max

Abstract

Introduction: VO_2max, a measure of the maximum oxygen uptake during physical exertion, is a critical indicator of cardiovascular fitness. Evaluating VO_2max in young adults helps in understanding their fitness levels and guiding improvements. This study aimed to assess normal VO_2max levels and investigate the relationships between oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and VO_2max, as well as between blood pressure and VO_2max, in both male and female participants.

Methods: A total of 93 students (45 males, 48 females) aged 18 to 25 years from Gandaki Medical College, Pokhara, were selected through simple random sampling. VO_2max was estimated using the Queen’s College Step Test (QCT), a widely accepted indirect method to assess cardiorespiratory fitness. QCT provides a convenient way to evaluate maximum oxygen uptake in a non-laboratory setting.

Results: The mean VO_2max for male participants was 62.00±8.77 ml/kg/min, while for females, it was 41.79±3.18 ml/kg/min. Males exhibited significantly higher VO_2max values compared to females (p<0.001). Both diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.013) and SpO₂ (p < 0.001) were found to have a significant influence on VO_2max in female but not changed in the male.

Conclusions: This study confirms that gender-related differences in cardiovascular fitness exist, with males generally showing higher endurance levels compared to females. The lower VO_2max values observed in females were primarily associated with variations in SpO₂ and diastolic blood pressure. These findings highlight the importance of considering physiological variables such as oxygen saturation and blood pressure in the assessment of female cardiorespiratory fitness.