Body size, body composition and physical fitness of 7-years-old Ellisras rural children, South Africa: Ellisras Longitudinal Study (ELS)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between body size, body composition and physical fitness of Ellisras rural children in South Africa. The study comprised 85 Ellisras rural children (47 boys, 38 girls) who were 7-year-old. Anthropometric measurements (stature, mass, triceps, subscapular, midaxilliary and suprailiac skinfolds) carried out according to the protocol suggested by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) and 3 physical fitness tests which consisted of standing long jump (SLJ), sit ups (SUP), sit and reach (SAR), from EUROFIT test battery and 1 test (50m sprinting) from AAPHERD were administered to these children. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between body size, body composition and physical fitness of the subjects. The results indicated positive relationship between stature and mass and SLJ and SAR in both boys and girls. 50m sprint showed a significant negative association with stature, mass, SSF and BMI between boys and girls (p< 0.05) respectively. It is concluded that physical fitness items were systematically influenced by age, stature and mass in both boys and girls. Key Words: Ellisras rural children, body size, body composition, physical fitness, anthropometry. AJPHERD Vol.10(2) 2004: 154-162