Estudo alométrico da aptidão funcional de crianças e jovens rurais de Moçambique

Abstract

-Few studies in Africa have investigated the physical performance of children using the allometric method. This study evaluated the functional fitness of children and adolescents in a rural area of Mozambique using the contrast between theoretical models and empirical allometric coefficients. Height and weight were measured and functional fitness was assessed using the AAHPERD, EUROFIT and Fitnessgram tests. The allometric equation Y=aX b , was used. In addition to descriptive statistics, factorial ANOVA was used to test differences of body size and functional variables between sexes and age groups. An extension of the allometric equation based on ANCOVA was used after proper logarithmic transformation of all variables of interest. Mean height and weight increased with age and were significantly associated with age and sex. Functional fitness increased with age, and mean results were higher for boys. Allometric coefficients were different from those expected according to theory, and girls had higher coefficients in almost all tests. A marked sexual dimorphism was seen in functional fitness results according to age. Empirical coefficients were different from those expected according to theory, which demonstrated the absence of the presumed geometric similarity. Girls had higher coefficients than boys in all fitness tests. Key words: Africa; Allometry; Body size; Functional fitness. Resumo -Pesquisas em contextos Africanos nas quais se estuda o desempenho motor de crianças através do método alométrica são escassas. O estudo teve como objetivo averiguar a variabilidade da aptidão funcional de crianças e jovens rurais Moçambicanos por meio do contraste entre expoentes alométricos teóricos e empíricos. Foram medidas a altura e o peso, e avaliada a aptidão funcional com base em testes selecionados das baterias AAHPERD 508Allometry and function fitness in rural populations Nhantumbo et al.

Comparison of Eurofit Test Results of 11-17-Year- Old Male and Female Students in Kosovo

“…Also, 11-15-year-old males and 11-16-year-old females in Africa were more successful than students in Estonia (Jürimäe & Volbekiene, 1998;Nhantumbo et al, 2012).…”

“…Comparing to 11-year-old males and 12-14-year-old females, 11-year-old males were less successful than 12-14-yearold females in Kosovo. In terms of standing broad test values, 11-year-old students of Kosovo and Africa had similarities (Nhantumbo et al, 2012)..…”

“…For Compared to the countries, it was observed that the values of Bent Arm Hang test of females in 11-16 age group and males in 11-14 age group in Kosovo were lower than the values of African students. Also, it was observed that 15-16-year-old males in Kosovo had higher values than African students (Nhantumbo et al, 2012). In the city of Malishevë of Kosovo, flat arm hang test was performed in measuring the static strength of the arms by Berisha and Çilli (2016).…”