ANTHROPOMETRIC AND HEALTH-RELATED FITNESS CHARACTERISTICS IN MIDDLE-AGED OBESE WOMEN

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the possible relati onships between anthropometrical and health-related fitness parameters in, obese middle-aged women. Twenty one obese (BMI > 27 kg/m(2)) and 12 control (BMI < 27 kg/m(2)) middle-aged females (35 - 45 yrs) partic ipated in this investigation. Three series of anthropometrical measure ments on the right side of the body were taken according to the O-scal e physique assessment system. The Heath-Carter anthropometric somatoty ping method was used and the ratio of waist to hip circumferences was calculated. The body composition was measured using bioelectrical impe dance method (Bodystat-500, UK). The following health-related fitness tests used were: dynamic sit-up, hand grip, sit-and-reach, single leg balance and plate tapping. Physical working capacity (PWC) was measure d using single ergometer test. Obese women possessed significantly hig her (p < 0.05) values for skinfold, girth and breadth measurements. Wh ile the differences in somatotype indices were not statistically signi ficant (p > 0. 05) between obese and control groups, the transformatio n of somatotype characteristics to the effect sizes (ESs) revealed tha t these differences were large (ectomorphy: ES = 1.73; endomorphy: ES = 1.64; mesomorphy: ES = 1.71). Relative aerobic fitness (Vo(2max/kg), calculated from PWC) and dynamic sit-up were higher (p < 0.05) in con trol subjects, while obese women presented significantly higher values for hand grip strength. The thicker skinfold thicknesses increased th e absolute value of PWC in obese group (r = 0.39 - 0.57; p < 0.05). In contrast, the thinner skinfold thicknesses in suprailiac and mid-thig h significantly increased the absolute value of PWC in control women. There were only a few significant correlations between girth and bread th measures, and health-related fitness parameters. In addition, somat otype characteristics seldom influenced the results of health-related fitness tests. Stepwise multiple regression, analysis demonstrated tha t health-related fitness test items were more dependent on the anthrop ometrical parameters in obese than in control women.