RELATION BETWEEN THE BODY COMPOSITION AND THE SPORTS PRACTICE IN TEENAGERS

Introduction: knowing precisely body composition is important in assessing the nutritional status of adolescents in order to evaluate how it affects the sport practice in this group. Objectives: to evaluate the influence of regular physical exercise in a group of adolescents in their body composition. Methodology: 77 male adolescents between 12 and 13 years were evaluated. Weight, height, triceps skinfold (PCT), wrist perimeter, the relaxed arm and umbilical waist were evaluated. The body fat percentage (% BF) was estimated using different equations (Sin, Siri modified, Lohman, Johnston, Deurenberg BMI, body fat percentage from ICT). Electrical bioimpedance equipment was also used. Results: no significant differences in BMI between the two groups were found. The prevalence of overweight and obesity varied by percentile tables used. Differences in the PCT and the percentage of body fat between groups were significants; it was higher in non-athletes (p < 0.05). No significant differences between the values of body fat were obtained by modified equations Sin, Lohman and bioimpedance, in none of the two groups studied. Discussion: the % BF was higher in the group of non-athletes, as well as the value of PCT to the same value of BMI. It was determined that the collective athlete got a better nutritional status than the non-athletic collective. Regardless of the method used, results should be interpreted with caution in assessing body composition of adolescents.