Study of correlation between BMI and amount of work performed by the forearm skeletal muscles by using Mosso’s Ergograph in 1st year medical students

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity has increased to significant levels in the young population also. It has been found that the presence of obesity also affects the skeletal muscle performance, which can prevent the amount of physical activity or exercise that a person can perform. Aim: To study the association between BMI and amount of work performed by the forearm skeletal muscles by using Mosso’s Ergograph in 1st year medical students. Methods: This is a cross sectional, analytical study. BMI was recorded with standard technique in the 1st professional medical students. Amount of work done by the forearm skeletal muscles was measured by the Mosso’s Ergograph by standard procedure. Results: Pearson correlation analysis revealed that there was a weak negative correlation between amount of work done and BMI of the subjects (r = -0.11, p = 0.18). As per the one-way ANOVA and post hoc analysis, obese subjects had a significantly low amount of work done as compared to normal subjects. Conclusion: Skeletal muscle performance in obese subjects is lower as compared to normal weight group. This might lead to early fatiguability in the obese persons.