Abstract
Few studies in Africa have investigated the physical performance of children using the allometric method. This study evaluated the functional fitness of children and adolescents in a rural area of Mozambique using the contrast between theoretical models and empirical allometric coefficients. Height and weight were measured and functional fitness was assessed using the AAHPERD, EUROFIT and Fitnessgram tests. The allometric equation Y=aX b , was used. In addition to descriptive statistics, factorial ANOVA was used to test differences of body size and functional variables between sexes and age groups. An extension of the allometric equation based on ANCOVA was used after proper logarithmic transformation of all variables of interest. Mean height and weight increased with age and were significantly associated with age and sex. Functional fitness increased with age, and mean results were higher for boys. Allometric coefficients were different from those expected according to theory, and girls had higher coefficients in almost all tests. A marked sexual dimorphism was seen in functional fitness results according to age. Empirical coefficients were different from those expected according to theory, which demonstrated the absence of the presumed geometric similarity. Girls had higher coefficients than boys in all fitness tests.
Highlights
The interest in body size as a potentially confounding variable in studies of functional fitness has increased in recent times[1,2,3]
This study evaluated the variability of functional fitness coefficients of children and adolescents in a rural area of Mozambique by comparing values described in theory and empirical allometric coefficients
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the variability of functional fitness among children and adolescents in a rural area of Mozambique by comparing values found in the theory and empirical allometric coefficients
Summary
The interest in body size as a potentially confounding variable in studies of functional fitness has increased in recent times[1,2,3]. Allometry provides an adequate interpretation of the fitness of individuals whose measures are different because it models the effect of body size and of other covariables[1,4,5]. Functional fitness has been analyzed in association with reduced body size in cases of chronic protein-calorie malnutrition. Small body size and reduced muscle mass have been described as factors that determine functional fitness in undernourished children[8,9]. When functional fitness is analyzed in association with body height or weight, the differences between undernourished and nutritionally normal children are substantially reduced or disappear[10,11]
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