Analysis of cadets’ anthropometric characteristics

Abstract

Anthropometric data reflect the quality of life, high working capacities and potentiality of individual creative abilities. The physical working and physical fitness capacities depend on physical health, physical development level, physical activity and healthy lifestyle. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the principal anthropometric characteristics, levels of physical activity and sports tests results in a group of cadets. We assessed the principal anthropometric characteristics (height, body mass) as well the anthropometric indices (body mass index) of cadets of the National Defence Academy in their 1st year of study and in the same group of cadets after three years, in their 4th year of study. We provided a questionnaire for the cadets in the study group concerning their physical activity and analysed the data of the standardized Nordic Questionnaire about Musculoskeletal Symptoms. The average values of the main anthropometric characteristics of the respondents in the 1st year of study were the following: height – 180.4±1.3 cm and body mass – 79.5±1.7 kg. After three years, we fixed the changes of body mass in the examined group: in 53% of cadets, the body mass had increased by more than two kg, but in 47% of respondents, body mass had remained at the same level. The average data in the study group of the 4th year students were: height 181.2±1.3 cm and body mass – 81.3±2.5 kg. Physical fitness is an indispensable part in the daily routine of each cadet. Physical fitness characterizes an individual’s cardiorespiratory status, muscular strength and endurance as well as velocity and coordination. The fitness level of a person determines the results of the annual sports tests (sit-ups, push-ups and cross-country race). The results were stable for 68% of respondents. We also included the questions related to musculoskeletal symptoms (pain). Musculoskeletal pain symptoms have an impact on each individual’s physical fitness level. The physical activity levels in the respondents’ group were high. They were closely associated with physical fitness, 76% of the respondents showed high results in annual physical fitness tests.