PHYSICAL FITNESS IN RELATION TO BODY MASS INDEX AMONG MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

This cross-sectional study looked for sex differences in body composition and physical fitness among adolescents of secondary school age. A group of 600 pupils (300 male and 300 female individuals) was evaluated for the measurement of anthropometric indices and selected fitness indices. Independent samples t-Tests showed statistically significant sex differences for all the examined variables (p<0.001). Male participants had higher body mass index and higher muscular strength while female participants had superior muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and greater flexibility. Effect-IVise indicated moderate sized to large differences for body mass index, muscular strength (Cohen's d = 0.64 - 0.65), moderate sized to large and large effects for flexibility measure values and for measures related to endurance (d = 0.88 to 1.03) and a small effect size for body fat percentage (d = 0.23). These results highlight marked sex-based inequalities in physical fitness from age ten and the need for gender responsive/school based physical activity interventions.