Determination and comparison of maximum aerobic capacity in terms of physical fitness index and maximum oxygen uptake between physically active and physically non-active male-female students of Tripura

Background: Obesity is one of the major self-regulating risk aspect along with cardio-respiratory fitness, that increases cardiovascular mortality. Physical Fitness Index is a basic measure of muscular strength and muscular endurance and a person can utilize maximum amount of oxygen during maximal exercise is called as VO2 max. These parameters can be affected by different body composition and by body mass index. Aims and objectives: The foremost purpose of this study is to determine and differentiate the physical fitness index and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) between physically active and physically non-active students of male-female. Method: Eighty physically active students of male-female and eighty physically non-active male-female students were selected by random sampling. PFI and VO2 max both were computed by Harvard Step Test and by indirect Queens College Step test (QCT). This is the easy method to determine cardio-respiratory strength in relation with maximum oxygen uptake for each group. Conclusion: In this study, it has been concluded that score of PFI and VO2 max were significantly greater in physically active students than that of physically non-active male-female students. In addition, it has also been found that physically active males and females show higher PFI and VO2 max than physically non-active male and female when compared individually. In addition, PFI score of physically active male-female showed a significant moderate and low positive correlation with VO2 max of physically non-active male-female respectively by individual comparison.