Impact of Obesity on Post-exercise Recovery of Cardiovascular Variables: AComparative Study with Non-obese and Underweight Students

Introduction: Presently, 13% of the global adult population is living with obesity, which is characterized by excessive body fat accumulation. This metabolic disorder is often associated with chronic illnesses such as type II diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and psychosocial issues, and is often accompanied by Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) dysfunction. While the impact of exercise on obesity is well studied, the specific effects of submaximal exercise on cardiovascular functions in young obese adults, particularly in the Indian context, remain unclear. This retrospective study aims to assess the influence of ANS on cardiovascular responses to submaximal exercise among young obese students and to compare these effects with those in underweight and non-obese peers. Methods: Sixty undergraduate students of either sex from Brainware University were classified into non-obese, obese, and underweight groups. Participants performed a treadmill run, and Pulse Rate (PR) and Blood Pressure (BP) were recorded before and after exercise. Results: No significant differences were observed in resting PR and BP between non-obese and obese groups, irrespective of sex, except when compared to the underweight group. Post-exercise, PR and Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) recovered completely within five minutes in non-obese and underweight individuals, but not in the obese group. Discussion: Although obesity is linked to cardiovascular dysfunction, conflicting evidence exists regarding resting Heart Rate (HR) in obesity. This study did not find any significant difference in resting HR between obese and non-obese individuals; however, underweight participants showed significantly higher HR in comparison to normal. It was also found that obese individuals exhibited higher resting MAP with presentation of delayed postexercise recovery, suggesting ANS dysfunction among those obese students. Conclusion: Impaired post-exercise recovery of PR and BP in obese students indicates underlying ANS abnormalities in this group.