청소년의 체력과 신체구성의 관련성 검토 = An Examination on the Relationships between Physical Fitness and Body Composition in Youth

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The purpose of this study was to identify the optimal body composition and for the best physical fitness, and to examine fitness levels of the obese by investigating relationships between physical fitness, body composition of the youth. Middle and high school boys male students(n=584) with age ranging from 12 to 17 years participated in the study as subjects. Anthropometry(12 items), physical fitness(8 test items), and impedance of subjects were measured and analyzed age. Results of the study can be summarized as the following; 1. Characteristics of the physique by age Middle school students displayed a ripid growth with age resulting in significant differences in measurement items between ages, high school students were slow in growth. The increase in height and weight was shown to be the highest in 13 years old. Girth and width measurements, on the other hand, showed the highest increase in 14 years old, and were stopped growing at the age of 16 years. Measures of the skinfold thickness were not different between ages in both middle and high school students. The average % fat was 16.44%. The % fat was the highest in 12 years old, and the lowest in 13 years old, which were significantly different from each other. Other age groups did not show differences in the % fat. 2. Trends in the development of physical fitness by age Muscular strength endurance increased with age. Agility and power also increased with age from 12 to 15 years, but they declined in 17 years old. Body endurance improved with age from 12 to 15 years, and was stopped improving at the age of 16 years. Flexibility and balance were not different between ages. 3. Relationships between physical fitness and body composition 1) Correlations between physical fitness and body composition : The amount of body fat had positive effects on muscular strength and flexibility, and the fat-free body mass had positive effects on all physical fitness test items, except balance. The %fat and fat-free body mass, however, ahd negative effects on muscular endurance, agility, power, balance ability, and body endurance. 2) Physical fitness levels and %fat : The range of %fat for the best scores in muscular endurance, agility, power, and body endurance was 10 to 12%(middle school boys), 12 to 14%(high school boys) and The %fat, however, did not show systematic relationship with muscular strength, flexibility, and balance. The %fats of subjects who scored high in all test items were 13.80%, 14.38%, for middle school boys, high school boys, respectively. 1. For a better understanding of the developmental stages of body composition and physical fitness in the youth, longitudinal studies of subjects in diverse area and environment are necessary. 2. In order to identify strategies to help the youth gain high level of physical fitness, the relation of body composition and somatotype with living conditions, including diet, exercise, life-styles, and living environment needs to be examined.