Association between physical activity and body composition of high school students

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of physical activity on the body composition of adolescents. The study sample consisted of 735 students (299 boys: mean age 17.20 years; 436 girls: mean age 17.16 years). Physical activity levels were determined using the long version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Questionnaires were administered online within Leaching using INDARLS system. Body composition was measured using body composition analyzer InBody 230. The parameters examined were: body mass index (B1011), body fat moss index (BEN41), fat free mass index (HMI), percent fat mass (FM%), visceral far area (VFA) and waist hip ratio (WHR). For determining statistic ally significant differences between more physically active and less physically active (S-0) girls and boys was used t-test for independent samples. Average results of body composition wore more favorable in students who failed to meet physical activity guidelines. These differences were statistically significant for boys in BFMI (p 0.049), FM% (p 0.038), WHR (0.026) and for girls in EMI (0.021) and FFMI (p 0.004). The results of the present study did not confirm positive effect of physical activity on the parameters of health investigated.