Exercise and Body Mass Index: are those two parameters related in adults?

Abstract

Introduction. Theories linking physical activity and body fat or weight have long suggested the presence of an inverse relationship between the two variables. Aim. The aim was to evaluate the association between exercise and Body Mass Index (BMI) in adults. Methods. 318 subjects aged 17-62 years were recruited from different sport clubs in Madrid (Spain). Anthropometric measurements and information on exercise-related physical activity were obtained. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS v.20.0. Results. There was no statistically significant difference in exercise minutes between the different BMI groups (Chi2 = 0.750. p = 0.750). After a Spearman’s correlation was run to determine the possible monotonic relationship between BMI and exercise, the null hypothesis tested (“there’s no association between the two variables”) could not be rejected (Spearman’s Rho = 0.001; p = 0.991). Conclusion. This trial brings to light no association between hours of exercise per week and BMI.

Keywords

• Physical activity
• Body Mass Index
• obesity
• body fat