Motor performance according to physical activity levels

Abstract

This study evaluated the influence of extreme effort on physiological parameters of males and females with low or moderate levels of physical activity (PA) and different body composition parameters. Ninety-six participants (45 females, aged 20.05±1.81 years; 51 males, aged 20.20±2.71 years) took part in this study. PA levels were evaluated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and they performed the 3-Minute Burpee Test (3-MBT). The Mann-Whitney U test and correlation analysis were applied. Participants with low levels of PA had significantly higher (p<0.05) body mass and body composition parameters (total body water, protein, minerals, body fat mass, fat-free mass, skeletal muscle mass, body mass index, percent body fat and waist-hip ratio (WHR). Participants with moderate levels of PA completed significantly more training cycles during the 3-MBT than their sedentary peers. Physiological parameters and exercise intensity were higher, albeit non-significantly, in more physically active participants. Extreme effort duration was significantly (p=0.0445) longer in males with low levels of PA (00:29 min) than moderate levels of PA (00:15 min). Females and males with moderate levels of PA have significantly higher endurance-strength abilities and are characterised by non-significantly higher values of physiological parameters during extreme effort than their sedentary peers.

Keywords: University students; Physical activity levels; Body composition; Physiological parameters; 3-MBT