Comparison of Health of Height-Weight Matched Young-Adult Female Athletes and Non-Athletes in Selected Anthropometric Measurements

Height and weight are the major two determinants for various anthropometric properties at any age in life. People of different racial origins and geographical locations have specific anthropometric features. Purpose of this study was to compare health status of height-weight matched young-adult females of athlete and non-athlete through selected anthropometric measurements. Sixty (N=60) 1825 years female, thirty from the athlete and non-athlete groups were the subjects. The height range was 157.5cm 162.5 cm and weight was 52.5 kg 55.5 kg. Seven skin-folds, seven body circumferences and three body composition measures, namely body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and body fat percentage ( %BF), derived from respective anthropometric measurements, all were the variables of the study. Out of seven skin-folds, athlete group was significantly higher (Pgreater than0.05) at sub-scapula, suprailiac, abdomen, thigh and medial calf site, but no difference existed at biceps and triceps. Among the seven body circumferences, at upper limb, lower limb and waist of the non-athlete group was superior. Among the three body composition measures, at %BF was higher in non-athlete group and LBM was greater in athlete group; however, BMI of the two groups did not differ. The WHR of the non-athlete group was superior. The young adult athlete females with similar height and weight to the non-athlete females were higher in LBM with less %BF. Both the groups were having greater value in the selected anthropometric measurements; yet, the anthropometric profile of the athlete females were towards healthier category than the non-athlete groups. Thus, the study was concluded that young-adult athlete females were healthier than the non-athlete females of the similar height and weight according to the anthropometric measurements.