Body Weight and Achilles Reflex Time

Abstract

Achilles tendon reflex times were determined in a sample of 244 men between the ages of 41 and 53, drawn from a well-studied population of 859. Prevalence of delayed reflexes indicative of a hypo-metabolic syndrome was not higher among the 44 obese subjects than among subjects of other weight groups. A low but statistically significant correlation between per cent overweight and reflex time was found (r = + 0.26; P;<0.01.) These results do not support the thesis that hypometabolic obesity, as diagnosed by a delayed Achilles tendon reflex, constitutes a significant proportion of the obese population.