FITNESS PARAMETERS AND THE LEVEL OF NUTRITION IN GIRLS

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the differences in fitness parameters in ten-year-old girls with varying degrees of nutritional status. The research was conducted on a sample of 145 girls attending the fourth grade of elementary schools in the city of Niš, with average age of 10.12 (±0.72). Based on BMI, three sub-samples were formed (normal weight, overweight and obese subjects). Fitness parameters (explosive strength, coordination and speed) were determined by a battery of nine tests. Differences in fitness parameters were determined by MANOVA/ANOVA and LSD Post Hoc test. The results indicate that, in regards to BMI, there is a significant difference in fitness parameters in ten-year-old girls (p<.01). Normal weight subjects were significantly better than overweight and obese subjects in explosive leg strength, running and rolling, and running speed. Overweight subjects were significantly better in the frequent hand movement speed, compared to the normal weight subjects. The lowest results in almost all fitness parameters were recorded by the obese subjects. Increased BMI values in overweight and obese children adversely affect fitness, and this may have negative repercussions later in adulthood.

Keywords

• differences
• explosive strength
• coordination
• speed