ANTHROPOMETRIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INSTITUTION-BASED SECURITY PERSONNEL IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of institution-based security personnel in Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population for the study were the male security personnel of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife and Wesley-Guild Hospital (WGH), Ilesa, Osun State. Sample comprised sixty middle-aged volunteers drawn from the Security Departments of the three institutions. Inclusion criteria for the study was passing a preliminary health screening for cardiovascular disease risk factors. Anthropometric parameters were measured in line with the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK)’s protocol. Participants’ weight and height were measured with an Electronic BMI scale and blood pressure was recorded using Aneroid sphygmomanometer. Participants’ VO 2 max was estimated from the Cooper 12-minutes run/walk test. Data was recorded in a structured data sheet. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviations was used to analyse data. The results showed that the mean age of security personnel in the study was 41.7 ± 5.749, while their mean height and weight were 171.0 ± 7.353 and 69.2 ± 7.322 respectively. The mean of personnel’s waist and hip circumferences were 40.68 ± 3.968 and 46.68 ± 2.813 respectively. The mean of skinfolds (Ʃ4 Skf), percent body fat, waist-to-hip ratio, and BMI of security personnel were 50.03 ± 15.797, 22.37 ± 5.175, 0.87 ± 0.062 and 23.66 ± 2.386 respectively. Their mean resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and VO 2 max were 63.77 ± 8.77, 119.42 ± 9.30, 80.17 ± 8.54 and 43.95 ± 43.95 respectively. The study concluded that institution-based security personnel are similar to the civilian population in terms of anthropometric and physiological characteristics. Article visualizations: