Elaborating a Prediction Model for Thigh Circumference Among Bukovyna Student Athletes Based on Their Type of Sport

Abstract

The comparison of dynamic changes in the thigh circumference in the middle third was conducted on 132 students of Bukovyna (the initial measurements were carried out during September-October 2021, and the repeated measurements of these same students were performed in September-October 2022). The main group included 92 (69.7%) and the control group envolved 40 (30.30%) students aged from 16 to 18. All students in the main group, in addition to the physical activities included in their specialty program, were engaged in the following sports over the year. Students of the control group were only involved in physical education classes that were a part of their curriculum, without any additional sports training. Anthropometric measurements were conducted on all students using the modified method of P.P. Shaparenko based on the V.V. Bunak approach. The thigh circumference in the middle third was measured by placing a measuring tape around this area and closing it on the outer surface of the thigh in the medial direction. A paired t-test (paired-samples t-test) was performed to compare the respondents' indicators during the first measurement and the second one a year later. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was carried out using the licensed program RStudio. The comparison of the dynamic changes in the average difference in thigh circumference in the middle third between the subjects of the main and control groups shows that the representatives of the main group across all sports have a higher indicator than the subjects of the control group (±3.43 cm). The comparison of the dynamic changes in the thigh circumference dynamics in the middle third of the subjects in the main group reveals that the circumference of the left thigh (55.45±2.0 cm) is larger than that of the right thigh (47.26±2.0 cm). The results indicate a noticeable increase in thigh circumference in the middle third after a year, with a significant difference observed in the increase of the right thigh circumference (±4.88 cm in 2022 compared to 2021), while the increase in the left thigh circumference was minimal.