Influence of anthropometric parameters in the functional capacity of adolescents

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of anthropometric parameters on the functional capacity of adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with a sample of 85 students from a public school in the city of Goiânia (Goiás), 55 of whom were female and aged between 11 and 14 years. The adolescents were classified into two groups (eutrophic and overweight) according to the physical assessment of BMI. The parameters analyzed were: body mass index (BMI), measurement of abdominal circumference (AC), neck circumference (NC) and calf skinfolds (CSD), triceps (CSD) and subscapular skinfolds (SSD). The evaluation of functional capacity was performed by the six-minute walk test (6MWT). RESULTS: In the total sample, 72% were classified as eutrophic and 28% as overweight. Individuals with overweight/obesity presented higher values ​​of AC, NC, BMI and skinfolds, significantly associated with cardiorespiratory fitness. There was an association between DCT and heart rate and post-test SpO2 . In general, eutrophic individuals had better cardiorespiratory fitness. There was no significant difference between the groups in the mean distance walked (SD), regardless of the values ​​presented. The adolescents walked within the expected mean for the test. CONCLUSION: Anthropometric parameters influenced functional capacity. Elevated anthropometric parameters of BMI, WC, NC and DCT are related to cardiorespiratory parameters and, consequently, to unsatisfactory functional capacity, with low reference values ​​in SD in the 6MWT.