Effect of physical parameters on Queens College Step Test performance in young adults of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India: An observational study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) helps physiotherapists in assessing body health and is a strong predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Assessment of physical parameters may reveal some insight into factors affecting CRF. This study aimed to assess CRF and factors affecting CRF in young adults. Materials and Methods: An observational analytical study was conducted on 102 participants from the community of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, aged 18–24 years, males and females. Queens College Step Test (QCT) for CRF, body mass index (BMI) for obesity, Sit and Reach Test for flexibility, and Beiring–Sorenson Test for back endurance were performed, and data were analyzed using odds ratio. VO2max was calculated with McArdle’s equation. Result: Mean age of 102 participants was (21.02 ± 1.08) years. Mean values for BMI (23.35 ± 4.48) kg/m2, VO2max of participants who completed the QCT (42.26 ± 3.08) mL/kg/min, back endurance (78.97 ± 37.95) sec, and flexibility (13.72 ± 3.19) inches were seen. OR for QCT with BMI (3.52, CI: 2.41–5.16), flexibility (0.1, CI: 0.04–0.26), endurance (2.8, CI: 2.01–3.94), and history of coronavirus disease-2019 (2.8, CI: 2.04–4.012) were seen. Conclusion: The CRF of young adults was found to be low. BMI, flexibility, and back endurance were found to affect CRF in young adults.