AEROBIC CAPACITY, BODY MASS INDEX AND FAT FOLD MEASUREMENTS OF HEALTHY ATHLETES IN DEHRADUN A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Sharma Chetan, MPT (Sports), Dr. Dar Shahid Mohd., MPT (Orthopedic and Sports)

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: The Aim of Present study was done to assess the Percent Body fat, Body Mass Index and VO2 Max for the athletes of Dehradun. The study would create a data for athletes in Dehradun involved in various sporting activities which would catagorised the subject having recommended parameters of fitness. METHODOLOGY: A survey Study with measurement of Aerobic capacity, Body Mass Index and Percent Body Fat was done. Total of 96 subjects was included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Convenience Sampling was used for the selection of participants. Descriptive Statistics has been used for the analysis of the data. RESULTS: A sample of 96 Athletes with Mean Age (15.6342.54 years) had a mean Percent Body Fat 10.5373.51 percent, mean Body Mass Index 18.6541.64 kg/m2 and mean VO2 Max is 41.9436.777 ml/kg/min. CONCLUSION: There was no significant correlation found between VO2 max, Body Mass Index and Percent Body Fat. KEY WORDS: Aerobic capacity, Body Mass Index, VO2 Max, Percent Body Fat, 20 m Shuttle Run Test.

INTRODUCTION Direct measurement of maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) is recognized as the best single index of aerobic fitness, but the test of the direct measurement of cardiorespiratory endurance

(VO2max) itself is difficult, exhausting and often hazardous to perform regardless the type of ergometer used. Since the direct testing procedure is rather complicated on larger populations, several indirect running and walking field tests have been

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developed. Scientists often calculate VO2max with indirect protocols. It has been stated that equations for predicting VO2max indirectly using field tests are very sensitive to populations tested on. Therefore, before applying any indirect protocol for prediction of VO2max, the validity of the test should be established in a particular population.4 Body mass index (BMI) is used as a surrogate for percent fat in classifying obesity. However, there is no established criterion for percent fat and health risk, and few studies have examined the validity of Body Mass Index as a measure of Percent fat. Body Mass Index is used to classify athletes and young adults as obese. Consequently, it is critical to understand the accuracy of Body Mass Index in this populations.1 Body mass index is currently the most frequently used and widely accepted method to classify medical risk according to weight status. Body Mass Index is a useful measure of adiposity in young and middle-aged athletes. Body composition
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environment. The accuracy of predicting percent fat from skinfolds is approximately 3.5% assuming that appropriate techniques and equations have been used.1

METHODOLOGY

Design This is a Cross sectional study. All the subjects were recruited from the various sports center from Dehradun.

Sampling Total of 96 subjects were chosen as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and informed consent was obtained from all the subjects after the procedure was explained to them.

Procedure: 20 Meter shuttle run test: The 20 Meter Shuttle Run Test was administered in a sports field

determined

from

using the original protocol (Leger and Lambert, 1986) but utilizing a different scoring system developed by the Human Performance Laboratory at The Queen's University of Belfast.7 The 20 Meter Shuttle Run test involves running between two lines set 20 meters apart at a pace dictated by a cassette recording emitting tones at appropriate intervals. The test score achieved by the subject is the number of 20 meter laps completed before the subject either withdraws voluntarily from the test. Scoring by aps differs from the "paliers", 6 used in the original version of the test. The test is made up of 23 levels where each level lasts approximately one minute. Each level comprises of a series of 20m shuttle runs where the starting speed is 8.5 km/hr and increases by 0.5km/hr at each level. On the tape/Compact Disc a single beep indicates the

skinfold measurements correlates well (r = 0.70 0.90) with body composition determined by hydro densitometry. The principle behind this technique is that the amount of subcutaneous fat is proportional to the total amount of body fat. It is assumed that close to one third of the total fat is located subcutaneously. The exact proportion of subcutaneous-to-total fat varies with sex, age, and ethnicity. Therefore, regression equations used to convert sum of skinfolds to percent body fat must consider these variables for greatest accuracy. To improve the accuracy of the measurement, it is recommended that one train with a skilled technician, use video media that demonstrate proper technique, participate in workshops, and increase experience in a supervised practical

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end of a shuttle and 3 beeps indicates the start of the next level. Body Mass Index: The Body Mass Index is used to assess weight relative to height and is calculated by dividing body weight in kilograms by height in meters squared (kg.m ).
-2 1

Percent body fat, Body mass index and VO2 max in total no of subjects.

Table 2: Correlation between Body Mass Index and VO2 Max as well as Percent Body fat and Vo2 max in total no. of Subjects.

Skinfold Measurement: Body composition determined from skin fold measurements. Seven Site Formula for Men (chest, mid-axillary, triceps, subscapular, abdomen, Supra iliac, thigh). Body density = 1.112 - 0.00043499 (sum of seven skinfolds)
2 1

0.00000055

(sum

of

seven No significant variation was observed (p > 0.05) between the values of Body Mass Index and

skinfolds) - 0.00028826 (age) ~3.5% fat).

[SEE 0.008 or

RESULTS: Means and standard deviations of athletes in Dehradun, predicted VO2max by the 20-m multi stage shuttle run test, Age, Body mass index and Percent body fat were presented in the Table 1.

VO2max as well as Percent Body Fat and Vo2 max. Correlation was done for comparison between Percent Body fat and VO2 Max was found that r = 0.058 which is not significant (p = 0.576) and another Correlation has been done between Body Mass Index and VO2 max was found to be r = -0.037 which is also not significant (p = 0.721), thus finding not significant between the respective variables.

Table 1:- Mean and Standard deviation for Age, Percent Body fat, Body Mass Index and Vo2 max in total no. of subjects.

DISCUSSION The Aim of Present study was done to assess the Percent Body fat, Body Mass Index and VO2 Max for the athletes of Dehradun. The athletes were recruited mainly from different types of sports those who participate in sporting activities in different colleges and academies. A sample of 96 Athletes with Mean Age

(15.6342.54 years) had a mean Percent Body Fat 10.5373.51 percent, mean Body Mass Index 18.6541.64 kg/m2 and mean VO2 Max is 41.9436.777 ml/kg/min. In this study Pearson Correlation was done for comparison between Figure 1: Mean with Standard deviation of Age,
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Percent Body fat and VO2 Max was found that r =

Scientific Research Journal of India Volume: 2, Issue: 3, Year: 2013

0.058 which is not significant (p > .05) and another Correlation has been done between Body Mass Index and VO2 max was found to be r = 0.037 which is also not significant (p > .05), thus finding not significant between the respective variables. In the present study it has been found that Mean Vo2 max for 96 active athletes of age group of 10-30 years in five different kinds of sports is (41.943 ml/kg/min), while in a similar study was done by S. K. VERMA et al. Department of Human Biology, Punjabi University, Patiala who found that the mean V02 max in 96 active athletes age group of 17-25 years was 48.4 5.1 ml/kg/min with a highest value of 56.4 ml/kg/min and lowest value of 44.2 ml/kg/min. Which is slightly higher as compared to V02 max values recorded in the present study, this probably can be due to the greater body surface area of athletes in S.K. Vermas study where the age group of the subjects was greater (17-25 years). Where as in the present study the maximum sample obtained was in the range of 10-20 years because of non-availability of the athletes in the elder age group. As the age increases the body surface area increases as is already proved and the increase in the aerobic capacity with age is also a well-established fact,4 so our values of less vo2max readings in subjects of lesser age group than readings of other studies is quite well understood. Hence forth we recommend that in future the studies should make sure that the sample possess the even distribution of all age groups i.e. 10-30 years. As far as Body Mass Index of male athletes in Dehradun is concerned, the present study found that the mean of Body Mass Index was 18.6541.64 kg/m . Percent body fat is 10.5373.51 percentage. In support of present
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study Wan Nudri WD et al. from Division of Human Nutrition, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, has found mean Body Mass Index of athletes with age of (23.94.2 years) is (22.93.5 kg/m2)10 the probable reason for the difference between Body Mass Index of both study is the age. However it was clear that the athletes who had reduced level of Body Mass Index were due to lean muscle mass.28 From 5 to 16 years of age, boys relative muscle mass increases from about 4254% of body mass.2 A paper review done by American Dietetic Association, Dietitians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine stated that the male athletes with the lowest estimates of body fat (less than 6%) include middle-distance and long-distance runners and bodybuilders, whereas male basketball players, cyclists, and gymnasts, wrestlers

sprinters,

jumpers,

triathletes,

average between 6% to 15% body fat. Male athletes involved in power sports such as football, rugby, and ice and field hockey have slightly more variable body fat levels 6% to 19%.8 The present study is done on population of Dehradun, India. Although, there may be racial differences between both the populations, it was found that level of percent body fat had a similarity. In this study a Correlation between percent body fat and Vo2max also was done and study found that the two variables are not significantly correlated (r=.058, p > .05) . Similarly Body Mass Index and Vo2max also were found to be correlated non-significantly (r = -.037, p > .05). This is in contradiction with other studies done in the past who have found a positive correlation between BMI and Percent body fat with VO2 max.10 The reason for non-significant correlation in present study could be due to the non-

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homogeneity of the sample of our study, i.e.in present study athletes from all the games with different Body Composition were included, which could have given a unexpected result.

athletes,

found

out

Mean

VO2

max

was

41.9436.777 ml/kg/min, mean Body mass index was 18.6541.64 kg/m2 and mean Percent body fat was 10.5373.51 percent. There was no significant correlation was found between Variables which

CONCLUSION: Study is done to access VO2 max, Body mass index and Percent body fat in a sample of 96 REFERENCES:

could have been because of non-homogenous group.

1. Armstrong L, phd, FACSM, Balady G. J., MD, Berry M.J., phd, FACSM. ACSM's guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. 7thed. New York. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2006; p. 64. 2. Armstrong N, Grant R Tomkinson GR, Ekelund Ulf. Aerobic fitness and its relationship to sport, exercise training and habitual physical activity during youth. Br J Sports Med. 2011; 45:849858. doi:10.1136/850 bjsports-2011-090200. 3. Eliakim A, Burke G S, Cooper D M. Fitness, fatness, and the effect of training assessed by magnetic resonance imaging and skinfold-thickness measurements in healthy adolescent females. Am J Cliii Nutr. 1997; 66: 223-31. 4. Leger L, Gadoury C et al. Validity of the 20 m shuttle run test with 1 min stages to predict VO2max in adults. Can J Sport Sci. 1989; 14(1):21-6. 5. Leitzmann MF, Moore sc, Koster a, Harris tb, Park y, et al. (2011) Waist Circumference as Compared with Body-Mass Index in Predicting Mortality from Specific Causes. Plos One. 2011 April; 6(4): e18582. Doi:10.1371. 6. Mechelen W.V, Hlobil H, Kemper H.C.G. Validation of two running tests as estimates of maximal aerobic power in children. European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiology. 1986; 55 (5), 503-506, DOI: 10.1007/BF00421645. 7. Paliczka V.J, Nichols A.K, boreham C.A.G. A multi-stage shuttle runs as a predictor of running performance and maximal oxygen uptake in adults. Brit.j.sports med. 1987; 21(4): pp. 163-165. 8. The American College of Sports Medicine, The American Dietetic Association, The Dietitians of Canada. Nutrition and Athletic Performance. Medicine & science in sports & exercise. 2000; 01959131/00/3212-2130/0. 9. Verma S. K, L. S. Sidhu, Kansal D. K. Aerobic work capacity in young sedentary men and Active athletes in India. Brit. J. Sports Med. 1979; 13: 98-102. 10. Wan Nudri WD, Ismail MN and Zawiak H. Anthropometric measurements and body composition of selected national athletes. Mal J Nutr. 1996; 2: 138-147.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:

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*M.P.T. (Neurology)., F.N.R., P.G.C.D.E. Health Care Consultant, Bharathidasan Matric Hr Sec School, Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu, India. & Consultant Physical Therapist, Star Health Care Center, Kanchipuram, Tamilnadu, India. **Bachelors in Physiotherapy (India), PG Dip Sci - Exercise Rehabilitation (Clinical Exercise Physiology), University of Auckland, New Zealand.

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