Abstract

Author(s): Otniel L

Introduction: Excess body fat is generally considered to be a negative factor in physical performance.

Objective: To compare the levels of body fat and aerobic fitness with reference studies and to verify the relationship between body fat and aerobic fitness in adolescents.

Material and Methods: A descriptive comparative-correlational study was carried out. A total of 113 adolescents were studied, ranging in age from 12.0 to 16.9 years old (89 males and 113 females). Weight, height, CC waist circumference and aerobic fitness (AA) were evaluated by means of the Mile test. Body Mass Index (BMI) and VO2max (ml/kg/min-1) were calculated.

Results: In men, BMI values are lower from -11.60 to -13.50kg/m2, in the CC from -9.80 to -15.90cm. In women, BMI is lower from -3.90 to -5.20 kg/m2 and in the CC from -2.40 to -5.40cm. In the AA, the VO2max was higher than the reference, in men the values ranged from 4.20 to 9.50 ml/kg/min and in women they ranged from 3.90 to 5.60 ml/kg/min. Correlations between BMI and CC with VO2max in men were negative (r= -0.62 to -0.58; p<0.001) and in women it was (r= -0.83 to -0.81; p<0.001). It was verified that adolescents classified as overweight presented lower values of AA in relation to normopause and underweight. This indicates that adolescents should reflect acceptable adiposity values, not only to adequately maintain their nutritional status, but also to improve their cardiorespiratory capacity.

Conclusion: Body adiposity parameters were lower and EC levels were higher compared to their respective references. Furthermore, it was observed that EC is inversely associated with body fat indicators in adolescents of both sexes