IMPACT OF BMI AND FOOT ARCH HEIGHT ON PHYSICAL PERFORMANCES

Abstract

Aims: The study aimed to determine the association between BMI, foot arch height and physical performances and also to ascertain the impact of BMI and foot arch height on physical performances. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 118 university students (59 males and 59 females) between the age group of 18 to 25 years by using convenience sampling method. Measurements of BMI and Normalized navicular height truncated (NNHt) for foot arch height (FAH) was taken for all subjects. Physical performance tests of 50-m sprint and vertical jump height (VJH) were performed with their comfortable sports shoes. Relations between all variables were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient test and multiple regression analysis. A 2-tailed test of significance of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A two-tailed test of significance indicated that BMI was unrelated to 50-m sprint, rs (118) = -0.08, p > 0.05 and VJH, rs (118) = 0.072, p > 0.05. A two-tailed test of significance indicated that FAH was unrelated to 50-m sprint, rs (118) = -0.07, p > 0.05. But there was a weak or negligible negative relationship between FAH and VJH, rs (118) = -0.21, p < 0.05. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that BMI was not a significant predictor for both 50-m sprint and VJH physical performances. FAH was a significant predictor for VJH but not for the 50-m sprint. Conclusion: BMI is not related to 50-m sprint and VJH. FAH is not related to the 50-m sprint but there is a weak relationship between FAH and VJH. FAH was a significant predictor for VJH.