ABSTRACT
Young adults with uncomplicated obesity have a near normal capacity for physical exer cise. At the onset of exercise, obese subjects tend to have transient hypoventilation and arterial blood oxyhemoglobin desaturation. At rest and moderate exercise, they consume approximately 25% more oxygen than nonobese subjects. Much of the excess V02 can be attributed to movement of the leg mass. The maximal cycle ergometer work rate, maximal exercise Vo2 and maximal exercise Ve are approximately 90% of normal in young obese subjects. Maximal V02, expressed as mL/min/kg body weight, is low in obesity (Table 3) but would be near normal if it were expressed as mL/min/kg fat-free mass.
