Relationship between Maximal Oxygen Intake and Peripheral Circulatory Function Evaluated by Accelerated Plethysmogram in Women

Abstract

The present study assessed the peripheral circulatory function of women by measuring accelerated plethysmogram (APG) and then investigated its relationship to target maximum oxygen intake levels (established by the ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan) . Based on the medical records of 511 women in whom APG was measured during a physical examination at some time between 1993 and 2001, height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (% body fat), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were extracted. Maximum oxygen intake (VO₂max) was estimated by the indirect method. Peripheral circulatory function was measured at the tip of the right index finger using a precaregraph (Misawa Homes Inc., APG-200) or a blood circulation checker (Future Wave Inc., BC-001) . The results showed a significant positive correlation between APG index and the following parameters: height, % body fat and VO₂max; and a significant negative correlation with the following parameters: age, weight, BMI, SBP and DBP. Although subsequent partial correlation analysis corrected for the effects of age, SBP and DBP, a significant positive correlation between APG index, which is used to assess peripheral hemodynamics, and VO₂max was evident.