Anthropometric Measurements and their Relation to Physical Fitness among Middle School Students Males (11-15) Years Old -A Field Study in Some Middle Schools of Constantine-

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to identify the relationship between some anthropometric measurements and physical fitness, and to create a reference database for VO2max at the age of (11-15) years among male middle school students.

Methodology: The study included 249 students who were divided into 5 age groups (11-12-13-14-15) years. A set of anthropometric measurements were taken (weight, height, skin folds, body fat percentage, and fat-free weight). The students also completed a progressive and maximum test according to the “Leger 1982” method for indirect measurement of VO2max.

Results: The results of this study showed a positive significant relationship between age and each of (weight, height, body fat percentage), on the one hand, and an inverse significant relationship between age and fat-free weight (P<0.05) on the other hand.

The results: for maximum oxygen consumption also showed that the values ​​of the latter were low compared to the results of scientific studies and references, with an inverse significant correlation between age and VO2max (P<0.01). The results also revealed an inverse significant correlation between VO2max and body fat percentage (P<0.01), and a direct correlation between VO2max and fat-free weight (P<0.01).