Acta Univ. Palacki. Olomuc., Gymn. 2009 39(3): 21-30

The evaluation of body composition in relation to physical activity in 56-73 year old women: A pilot study

Ale¹ Gába, Jana Pelclová, Miroslava Pøidalová, Jarmila Riegerová, Iva Dostálová, Lucie Engelová
Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University, Olomouc

Background: Lack of physical activity is associated with an increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Preventing excessive weight gain is a public health priority.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between body composition and the level of physical activity in 56-73 year old women.

Methods: We divided the sample into individual subgroups according to recommendations concerning moderate physical activity and the number of steps made on average per day. Body composition was measured by means of multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 720) and the accelerometer ActiGraph GT1M was used to monitor physical activity.

Results: The BMI mean values were in the zone of overweight in all the measured subgroups with the exception of the women who met the recommendation relating to average steps made per day, where the BMI mean value (24.93 kg/m2) was within the zone of normal range. The positive effect of physical activity was shown especially in the changes of body fat amount. The absolute and relative body fat proportion and the BFMI was higher (p < .05; p < .01) in the inactive women than in the active ones and its proportion decreased in correlation with the intensity of physical activity (rP = -0.40; p < .05) and the number of steps per day (rP = -0.50; p < .05). Concerning the distribution of body fat mass, we found that in all subgroups fat is deposited in the central part of the body. In both cases the level of very high risk was reached (WHR > 0.90). The average values of visceral fat were above the safe limit (100 cm2) in all measured subgroups, however, its proportion was significantly lower (p < .05) in the active women. Based on the analysis of basic body parts it was found out that the proportion of soft lean mass in the right and left upper limb and on the trunk is higher (p < .05; p < .01) in active women than in inactive women.

Conclusions: The above mentioned results support the assertion of the positive effect of physical activity on human health. Regarding the body composition, physical activity results in a reduction of body fat, excessive levels of which cause a great deal of public health problems worldwide.

Keywords: healthy aging, InBody 720, body fat mass, moderate physical activity, walking, ActiGraph

Prepublished online: February 3, 2010; Published: June 1, 2009  Show citation

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Gába, A., Pelclová, J., Pøidalová, M., Riegerová, J., Dostálová, I., & Engelová, L. (2009). The evaluation of body composition in relation to physical activity in 56-73 year old women: A pilot study. Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis. Gymnica, 39(3), 21-30
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