Correlation of Haemoglobin Concentration with Maximal Aerobic Capacity - A Prospective Study in First Year MBBS Students of Southern Odisha

BACKGROUND Decrease in haemoglobin concentration in blood, with normal blood volume results in lower V̇ O2max and endurance performance. This may be due to the reduction of the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. Conversely, increase in haemoglobin concentration is associated with increased V̇ O2max and endurance capacity. Increase in endurance capacity is also proportional to the increase in the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. Maximal aerobic capacity (V̇ O2max) is the maximum capacity of individual’s body to transport and use oxygen during incremental exercise which reflects physical fitness of that individual. Queen’s College Step Test is a standard method to measure one’s maximal aerobic capacity using sub maximal exercise in the form of bench stepping suitable for adults. The biological significance of oxygen transport by haemoglobin is well illustrated in anaemia where decreased haemoglobin also decreases exercise performance. The objective of the study is to find out the correlation between haemoglobin concentration and V̇ O2max by using Queen’s College Step Test. METHODS The study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, MKCG Medical College, Berhampur. A total of 150 1st year MBBS students aged between 17 and 24 yrs. were taken as subjects. Out of them 90 were males & 60 were females. Each subject performed the exercise for 3 minutes by Queen’s College Step Test. V̇ O2max was obtained by calculation. Haemoglobin concentration was measured by Acid Haematin method in Sahli’s Haemoglobinometer. RESULTS There was a significant positive correlation between haemoglobin concentration with VO2max in both males (r = 0.8618, P < 0.0001) and females (r = 0.5112, P < 0.0001) subjects. CONCLUSIONS Increase in Haemoglobin concentration is an indicator of increased V̇ O2max; hence persons with increased haemoglobin concentration may have increased exercise capability in both male and female subjects. KEYWORDS V̇ O2max, Haemoglobin concentration, Queen’s College Step Test