European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science
ISSN: 2501 - 1235
ISSN-L: 2501 - 1235
Available on-line at: www.oapub.org/edu
10.5281/zenodo.56387
Volume 2│Issue 1│2016
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FITNESS AND
BODY COMPOSITION WITH GENERAL HEALTH OF
NON-ATHLETE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MIANDOAB
Behrooz Sadoogi1*, Mostafa Setamdideh2, Yousef Esmailyan3
1,3
Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Malekan branch,
Islamic Azad University, Malekan, Iran
Young Researchers and Elite Club, Sardasht (Mahabad) branch,
2
Islamic Azad University, Sardasht (Mahabad), Iran
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical fitness and
body composition with overall health of non-athlete high school boys of Miandoab in
2014-2015 school year. One hundred one students were selected by convenience
sampling method. To check the physical fitness, subjects' indices such abdominal
muscle endurance (sit up), flexibility (seated hand stretch to toe), cardiorespiratory
endurance (548 meter race), agility (4 in 9 meters race) shoulder girdle muscles
endurance (modified horizontal bar), sprint (45 meters), and body composition by
measuring subcutaneous fat in triceps and calf using Slater et al formula were
measured. To check the general health status, General Health Questionnaire was used.
Analysis of the data showed that there was no significant relationship between body
composition components (P=0.045). No significant relationship was observed between
physical fitness and general health subscales (P=0.292), which may be due to sampling
foolproof. There was a significant relationship between flexibility and cardiorespiratory endurance with some general health measures (P=0.038). The negative
correlation between the level of physical fitness and general health indicators and its
scores' getting lower indicate a lack of physical and mental health. Moreover, the
significance of the relationship between flexibility and cardio-respiratory endurance
with indices of general health factors may be due to the impact of fitness elements on
individuals' health.
Keywords: fitness, body composition, general health, non-athlete
Copyright © The Author(s). All Rights Reserved
Published by Open Access Publishing Group ©2015.
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Behrooz Sadoogi, Mostafa Setamdideh, Yousef Esmailyan THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FITNESS AND BODY COMPOSITION WITH GENERAL HEALTH OF
NON-ATHLETE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MIANDOAB
Introduction
In many countries of the world, adolescents make up the majority of the population
(45). Adolescence is the sensitive stage in which one's quality of future life takes shape.
It is a transitional stage of life and the bridge between childhood and adulthood (41).
Many of the diseases in this period will affect the quality of life in the future. One of
these diseases is obesity, which is associated with an increased risk of side effects later
in life (22). The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased rapidly in recent
decades (21,28,35). It is expected that two third of the burden of diseases in 2020 will be
related to non-communicable chronic diseases that are often associated with nutrition
and way of life (12,37).
Recognizing factors affecting physical and mental health is of cases that human
has been looking to discover (6). Investigations show that obesity in children and
adolescents is a complex health problem that depends on numerous factors including
parental obesity, childhood nutrition, socio-economic status, and physical activity (29).
Overweight and obesity in adolescence even independent of obesity in adulthood
increase the risk of metabolic diseases in later years and can affect growth and sexual
maturation (23,34). Obesity in children is associated with psychological abuse from
classmates, and its complications are shown in form of cardiovascular diseases, blood
pressure, diabetes, etc. (2,13,26,33). In fact, the purpose of the activity and regular
exercise is to achieve optimum physical condition to have more health, happiness, and
longer useful life (17). Reduced physical activity and, consequently, reduced physical
fitness can cause weight gain, and abnormal weight gain is the beginning of many
diseases of body and spirit (21,45). Preventing obesity in childhood and adolescence is
needed not only due to its early physical and psychological effects, but also due to adult
obesity, mortality, and its heavy economic costs to society. Studies show that obesity in
adulthood is directly related to obesity in childhood and adolescence (11).
Galougahi (2002) in his study of physical fitness relation to mental health using
GHQ28 questionnaire and its subscales in stress of guidance school boys of Behshahr
said that there was significantly a negative relationship among all the measures of
general health and fitness level (4).
Rahmani Nia (2007) examined the relationship between underweight and
overweight with physical fitness of primary, guidance and high school boy and girl
students in Arak. The results showed a significant relationship between underweight
and physical fitness of students (P<0.05) whereas no significant relationship was found
between students' physical fitness and overweight (3). Abu Omar et al (2004) examined
physical activity, fitness and general health of the people, and in their findings
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 2 │ Issue 1 │ 2016
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Behrooz Sadoogi, Mostafa Setamdideh, Yousef Esmailyan THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FITNESS AND BODY COMPOSITION WITH GENERAL HEALTH OF
NON-ATHLETE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MIANDOAB
indicated that people with more activity and better physical fitness have good health
and more favorable general health (8,18).
Tero Teral “nd Pinar “ayi
9 in a study titled The relationship between
overweight and obesity with physical fitness of children 9 to
years in South “frica
studied 280 children of 9 to 12 years regarding anthropometric measurements (body fat
and body mass index) and fitness factors (cardiovascular endurance, body composition,
muscular endurance, muscular power, and flexibility) and concluded that overweight
and obesity have a negative impact on fitness, and health of obese people (42).
Elirmaei (2006) examined the relationship between public health and body mass
index (BMI) of 300 women who referred to health centers in the Sanandaj. In the study,
he used two-part (GHQ-12) general health questionnaire and demographic
characteristics in regular interview method and measurement of height and weight. He
concluded that there is no significant correlation between general health and BMI (5).
Fitness that is the result of physical activity and exercise has been emphasized as a basis
for achieving proper mental condition. Results show that exercise is effective in
improving mental conditions such as depression, anxiety and self-esteem (1).
Research results show that better compatibility with the environment needs the
balance between person's physical fitness and body composition. If people are not in
favorable physical and body composition conditions, they are usually withdrawn,
pessimistic and isolated, or in other words, they will not have a good mental balance
(24).
Awareness of level of physical and mental health of children and adolescents can
play a significant role in planning to reduce disruptions and improve their health in
adulthood, so controlling this problem in adolescence and childhood is of great
importance.
A lot of research has been carried out on the relationship between physical
fitness, body composition and general health of the students, but the relationship of
these factors in adolescent boys is neglected topic teenage boys, so the present study,
examines the relationship between physical fitness and body composition with general
health of non-athlete male high school students.
Research Methodology
This study is a descriptive correlational study that was conducted in field way. One
hundred and one high school students were selected through convenience sampling
method. Body mass was measured by digital bereru scale with accuracy of 0.1 kg, with
a minimum clothes without shoes, and the height was measured using stadiometer
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 2 │ Issue 1 │ 2016
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Behrooz Sadoogi, Mostafa Setamdideh, Yousef Esmailyan THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FITNESS AND BODY COMPOSITION WITH GENERAL HEALTH OF
NON-ATHLETE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MIANDOAB
device 0.1 cm. Body mass index (BMI) for each subject was measured by the ratio of
weight in kilograms to the square of height in meters. To determine the overweight,
(BMI) percentiles of Centers for Disease Control (CDC) were used. BMI between 85 and
95 percentile was considered as overweight and more than 95 was considered as obese
(15).
After completing the consent form prepared by the students and their parents,
form of readiness to participate in the study was completed. Body fat percentage was
measured by two point subcutaneous method (calf and triceps) with calipers and on the
basis of Slater and colleagues’ formula (39). The least waist circumference (between last
future iliac crest) and widest part of the hip were measured by strap meter. General
health score was determined using GHQ-28 questionnaire whose reliability and validity
in Iranian society and Miandoab have been reviewed and approved (32). Thirty nonathlete boys out of the research filled out General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and
based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient its internal reliability was obtained as 0.75.
To assess the fitness levels of the test subjects the following test were used: situps in one minute, to measure abdominal muscle strength; modified horizontal bar, to
measure shoulder girdle muscle endurance; traction board to measure flexibility of
posterior thigh and lower back muscles; 548 meter race to measure cardiorespiratory
endurance, 4 in 9 meter race to measure agility, and 45 meter race to measure speed. To
determine the correlation between the different factors, Pearson's correlation coefficient
was used in this study. The minimum level of significance in this study was considered
as (a<0.05). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.
Findings
Study results showed a negative relationship between physical fitness and general
health with its all subscales that was not statistically significant and a negative
significant correlation between flexibility and physical symptoms and a significant
positive correlation between cardio-respiratory endurance and symptoms of depression
and general health (P<0.05).
The relationship between general health and body composition components was
not significant. However, there was a significant correlation between fat-free mass,
following general health with depression symptoms and body fat mass with social
functioning and interpersonal symptoms and social and symptoms, social functioning,
BMI and social functioning of the boys (P<0.05). There was a negative correlation
between WHR with general health of boys, which was not statistically significant
(P>0.05).
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 2 │ Issue 1 │ 2016
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Behrooz Sadoogi, Mostafa Setamdideh, Yousef Esmailyan THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FITNESS AND BODY COMPOSITION WITH GENERAL HEALTH OF
NON-ATHLETE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MIANDOAB
Anthropometric characteristics and body composition of the subjects by age are
presented in Table 1.
Frequency
The mean and standard deviation
Indices
Variables
0.95±16.59 Age (years)
6.26±158.96 Height (cm)
10.94±74.73 Body mass (kg)
23.20±28.88 Body mass index (kg / m)
7.88±102.50 Waist circumference (cm)
101
7.12 ±108.81 Hip circumference (cm)
0.0341±0.9378 Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)
5.21 ±26.45 Triceps skinfold (mm)
6.17±30.16 Subcutaneous fat calf (mm)
7.00±39.54 Percent body fat
8.23±30.13 Body fat mass (kg)
77.70±44.43 Lean body mass (kg)
Table 1: Anthropometric characteristics and body composition of subjects
Frequency
The mean and standard deviation
Indices
Variable
53.8 ±14.17 Sit-ups (number / minute)
67.8 ±40.35 Flexibility (cm)
43.1 ±66.13 4 in 9 m race (s)
101
41.1 ±27.13 45 meter race (s)
92.4 ±04.5 Horizontal bar (number)
56.0 ±59.3 548 meter race (minutes)
30.1 ±00.10 Physical fitness score (20 points)
Table 2: The level of physical fitness of the subjects
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 2 │ Issue 1 │ 2016
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Behrooz Sadoogi, Mostafa Setamdideh, Yousef Esmailyan THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FITNESS AND BODY COMPOSITION WITH GENERAL HEALTH OF
NON-ATHLETE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MIANDOAB
Table 3: The general health scores of the subjects
The mean and standard
Frequency
Indices
Variable
deviation
57.3 ±21.5 The physical symptoms score
07.4 ±70.5 The symptoms of anxiety and sleep disorders
101
89.2 ±44.7 The symptoms of social function
90.4 ±37.5 The symptoms of depression
72.11 ±60.23 Total score of general health
Results of the relationship between physical fitness and its components with subscales
of general health of the subjects are given in Table 4.
Table 4: Results of Pearson Coefficient to determine the relationship between physical fitness
and its components with subscales of general health
Predicting
variable
Physical
Criterion readiness
Sit-ups
Flexibility
variable
Physical
symptoms
Symptoms
of anxiety
and sleep
The
symptoms of
social
45
4in9
meter
meter
race
race
548 meter
race
Modified
Horizontal
Bar
r
152.0-
051.0-
215.0-
008.0-
93
122
121.0-
p
130
67
26
95
983
109.2
277.1
r
053.0-
071.0-
152.0-
092.0-
001.0-
186
111
p
602
617
150
98
119
856
588.1
r
053.0-
149.0-
010.0-
017.0-
056.0-
134
007.0-
600
365
34
41.1
983
249
320
r
074.0-
051.0-
171.0-
099.0-
6
205
46
p
465
392
48.1
977
108
38
525
r
106.0-
100.0-
187.0-
089.0-
19
217
21
p
292
289
140
113
207
42
89
p
function
Depression
Symptoms
of general
health
The results of the relationship between body composition and its factors with general
health subscales of the subjects are provided in Table 5.
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 2 │ Issue 1 │ 2016
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Behrooz Sadoogi, Mostafa Setamdideh, Yousef Esmailyan THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FITNESS AND BODY COMPOSITION WITH GENERAL HEALTH OF
NON-ATHLETE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MIANDOAB
Table 5: Results of Pearson Coefficient to determine the relationship between body
composition and its factors with general health subscales
Predicting variable
Criterion variable
Physical symptoms
Symptoms of anxiety and sleep
The symptoms of social function
Depression
Symptoms of general health
Body
Body
composition
mass
BMI
r
145
127
99
p
135
205
128
r
178
150
139
p
189
135
75
r
257
165
208
p
1
101
21
r
32
106
155
p
294
294
763
r
196
174
190
p
81
81
57
Discussion
This study aimed to determine the relationship between body composition and physical
and mental health of non-athlete boy high school in Miandoab. The findings suggest
that the level of physical fitness with an average of 01±1.30 and its subscales are low. In
addition, the level of physical fitness has a negative relationship with general health
subscales. Most likely, the extra weight to be carried by students during physical
activity reduces the physical capability and brings premature fatigue. This may lead to
disappointment and frustration of physical activity and lack of participation in these
sports and getting away from them (13). Reduction in physical activity and exercise
reduces the level of physical fitness and leads to an increase in general health subscale
scores showing the reduction of general health.
The results of this study similar to some other research findings (38,42,13) show
that overweight and obesity have a reverse relationship with physical fitness, general
health subscales, which is not a significant relationship and can be attributed to
sampling error, but some findings have not shown this relationship precisely (3).
Abdominal muscle endurance, shoulder girdle muscle endurance, agility, and flexibility
are inversely related with general health and their subscale that shows the weakness
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 2 │ Issue 1 │ 2016
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Behrooz Sadoogi, Mostafa Setamdideh, Yousef Esmailyan THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FITNESS AND BODY COMPOSITION WITH GENERAL HEALTH OF
NON-ATHLETE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MIANDOAB
and disability of participants, and increases the general health and its subscales scores.
Given the significant inverse relationship between flexibility, and physical symptoms
and the negative relationship of this factor with symptoms of anxiety, sleep, depression,
and general health, it can be concluded that overweight and obesity have decreased
physical activity and thereby reduced flexibility. This reduction increases depression,
anxiety, sleep and general health scores. It is expected that flexibility as one of the
factors involved in the health and fitness help health.
Agility factor with signs and symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, and shoulder
endurance factor with social functioning and physical symptoms have a negative
relationship. In fact, the reduction of scores of factor such as agility and endurance of
shoulder girdle increases the public health subscales scores. High score of 548-meter
race, which is a sign of weakness associated with high cardiorespiratory endurance
symptoms, is positively and significantly related to depression and general health.
Overweight and obesity have increased the time and the scores of these factors.
This relationship may indicate poor cardiorespiratory endurance and respiratory
system of the subjects. In fact, cardiorespiratory endurance can be considered as
another factor effective in the health and fitness. Cardiorespiratory endurance and
flexibility are considered as factors related to health and fitness, and the results of the
relationship between these two factors with general health are in line with the findings
of Glaougahi (2002) and Erinous et al (2005). In this survey, the results related to body
composition and its subscales are similar to the findings of Mousijer (31) showing that
the percentage of body fat, fat mass, lean mass are in high level. In this study, body fat
percentage has a negative correlation with symptoms of anxiety and sleep, depression
symptoms, and general health symptoms that shows the increased body fat percentage
increased anxiety, depression and general health and reduced general health of the
boys. High percentage of students' body fat stresses the need for a comprehensive
prevention and control of obesity in this age group. In this study, fat-free mass with
depression symptoms and general health and body fat mass with social functioning
signs have significant positive relationship. In fact, high levels of fat mass and lower fatfree body mass of the subjects and social functioning symptoms, and general health are
related indicating a reduction in the health of the subjects in this subscale.
In this study, abdominal obesity (WHR) for boys was as 0.8 safe, from 0.8 to 0.85
as medium risk and higher than 0.85 as high risk (42). Average abdominal obesity of the
subjects studied was 0.9378±0.0341 that was considered as high-risk. Research suggests
that abdominal obesity has a relationship with premature cardiovascular diseases and
type two diabetes. In this study, the relationship between abdominal obesity and
general health is negative, indicating that the rise in this index can reduce the general
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 2 │ Issue 1 │ 2016
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Behrooz Sadoogi, Mostafa Setamdideh, Yousef Esmailyan THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FITNESS AND BODY COMPOSITION WITH GENERAL HEALTH OF
NON-ATHLETE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MIANDOAB
health. In addition, body mass index has a significant positive relationship with
symptoms of social function showing that as the person is overweight or obese, he will
have weaker signs of social function. In this study, considering the cut-off score 23 to
determine the general health status of students (32), their average general health score
was more than cut-off score and also with respect to the mean scores for each scale and
social function grade's being high shows inappropriateness of symptoms of general
health of the subject.
Conclusion
In the past 10 years, despite the decline in received energy levels, the level of obesity in
our country has increased by 15 percent. The main problem is reduced mobility and
physical activity (9). Reduced physical activity leads to a reduction in physical fitness,
the low level of physical fitness in adolescence is associated with obesity in adulthood
and as the individual has high physical fitness in adolescence, he will have fitness
higher fitness in adulthood (10). As shown in this study, the positive and meaningful
relationship of flexibility and cardiovascular endurance with some general health
subscales reflects the impact of these two physical fitness elements and general health of
individuals. Therefore, considering the present results, we can suggest that fitness
programs affecting fitness factors related to health, especially flexibility and cardio
respiratory endurance be more emphasized for overweight and fat adolescents.
The significance of the relationship between fat mass and body mass index with
social function symptoms can refer to the withdrawal and isolation signs of overweight
and obese boys. Correlation between fat-free mass with depression symptoms and
general health are of other physical evidence indicating the impact of physical status on
general health.
Thus, we can suggest health-related physical fitness activities to reduce and
control weight, using proper eating habits without having to go on wrong common
diets, having an active lifestyle, and assessment of body composition to these people
suggested so that through these we help them improve their level of health and
ultimately help the community. Therefore, adolescence provides an excellent
opportunity for improving the wellbeing, nutrition and health (40).
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 2 │ Issue 1 │ 2016
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Behrooz Sadoogi, Mostafa Setamdideh, Yousef Esmailyan THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FITNESS AND BODY COMPOSITION WITH GENERAL HEALTH OF
NON-ATHLETE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MIANDOAB
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