Effect of anthropometric and physical activity levels on endurance strength: A cross-sectional study of University Practice Senior High School, Ghana

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine how anthropometric variables (body weight, body height, upper and lower limb length), Body Mass Index (BMI) and physical activity (PA) levels affect the number of cycles completed in 3-Minute Burpee Test (3-MBT) among male and female teenagers of University Practice Senior High school. Thirty-two (32) males and 28 females aged 15-17 years engaged in low and moderate physical activity levels took part in the studies. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form was used to assess physical activity levels and 3-MBT was used to evaluate students’ endurance strength capacity. Participants’ limb lengths (for upper and lower) were measured and their BMI was calculated from their measured body height and weight according to standardized guidelines. The results were processed statistically using Pearson’s correlation, independent sample t-test and simple linear regression. In both sexes, only body mass and BMI were bound by negative significant correlation (p < 0.05) with the number of cycles completed in the 3-MBT. Significant differences were noted between males and females engaging in 3-MBT (p < .001). Physical activity levels in MET significantly predicted endurance strength scores (p < .001) as assessed by 3-MBT. On the average, males completed 48.34 cycles/3 min and females scored 38.50 cycles/3 min. More cycles were completed by male and female students with moderate levels of physical activity compared to those characterized by low levels of PA. Males were characterized by higher anthropometric measurements excluding body mass index than females. Body mass, BMI and physical activity levels in MET were the only analyzed variables that significantly had influence on endurance strength (3-MBT) of both sexes.