Studies of anthropometric indicators and their relationship with metabolic variables

The purpose of this work is to identify in the anthropometrical indicators used here in this study the percentage of body fat, the body mass index (BMI) and the waist-hip ratio (WHR), which present a correlation with the metabolic variables of heart rate, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and double product. A population of 69 subjects averaging 41.7 ± 6.6 years old had their data registered by applying the Bruce Protocol modified to calculate metabolic variables; to obtain the percentage of fat, the formula of Petroski was used. The data collected received statistical treatment by the “Statistical 5.0” program with correlation being made by the calculation of the simple coefficient of Pearson “r” by means of a statistical significance test (p < 0.05). In the results, heart rate appeared to be correlated essentially with the intensity of force, associating itself with the percentage of fat and the BMI. Blood pressure presented a good correlation with the BMI, principally in the female group. In the male group, the anthropometrical indicator that had major associations with blood pressure was the WHR, showing an association between the pattern of male body fat distribution (android) and blood pressure. The double-product had a major correlation with the BMI; however, this variable really reflects the work of the myocardium since the BMI is the only indicator used here that includes lean mass in its values. The time spent on the treadmill was correlated in a negative way only with the percentage of fat; in other words, the greater the percentage, the lesser time spent on the treadmill.