Sports practice, body mass index and physical fitness in adolescent women

Abstract

Objective: To verify the level of physical fitness and body mass index (BMI) as a function of sports practice in adolescent females, as well as to search for relationships between variables.

Methods: A descriptive correlational study was carried out in young female adolescents. The age range ranged from 13 to 17.9 years. BMI was calculated. Self-perceived physical fitness was assessed by means of a scale and a question to evaluate sports practice (PD) was included. Actual physical fitness was assessed by means of the horizontal jump test and abdominal muscular endurance (60seconds).

Results: A negative correlation was observed between PD sports practice and BMI, between BMI and horizontal jump SH and between age and the EAPAF physical fitness scale (r= -0.14 to -0.23). For the other variables, the correlations were positive and significant, ranging from (r= 0.19 to 0.45). The adolescents who always practice sports, reflected lower BMI, better HJ, abdominal muscular resistance AMR and self-perception in the EAPAF in relation to their counterparts (p< 0.05).

Conclusion: Sports practice is negatively associated with BMI and positively with actual and self-perceived fitness. Adolescent girls who practice sports reflected lower BMI and better physical performance in actual and self-perceived physical tests.