An Anthropometrical Related Lower Body Explosive Power (LBEP) Prediction Model among a Cohort of Adolescents in the North West Province, South Africa: The PAHL Study

Abstract

In the prediction of lower body explosive power (LBEP), very few researchers have investigated the possibility of making use of anthropometric variables to compile prediction models. Therefore the purpose of this study was to develop a LBEP prediction model from several anthropometric measurements for a cohort of adolescent boys and girls living in the Tlokwe local municipality of the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district in the North West Province, South Africa. This was a cross-sectional experimental design on a purposeively selected cohort of 214 adolescents (15.82±0.68 years) consisting of 88 boys and 126 girls who were part of the Physical Activity and Health Longitudinal Study (PAHLS). Data were obtained by means of skinfold (SF) and LBEP measurements as well as the calculation of maturity age. The results of the forward stepwise regression analysis shows that stature (57%), muscle mass percentage (10%) and maturation age (3%) were the anthropometric variables that served as significant (p<0.001) predictors of LBEP. In view of the fact that the majority of coaches and teachers in South Africa have very limited means to directly measure anthropometric variables and LBEP in adolescents, the use of adolescents’ stature, muscle mass and maturity age may possibly serve as an accurate alternative to predict adolescents’ LBEP.

Keywords: Explosive Power, Prediction Model, Adolescent, Anthropometry