european college of sport science

BODY COMPOSITION, HANDGRIP STRENGTH AND AEROBIC FITNESS IN 6000 FINNISH MEN
HEISKANEN, J., LÄHDESMÄKI, A., HAKONEN, H., KANKAANPÄÄ, A., KOMULAINEN, J., HAVAS, E.
LIKES FOUNDATION
PP-HF04 Health and Fitness 4
INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a health threat in Finnish population and there is no wide measured data of Finnish working aged male. Jack
the Finn truck tour was executed in September 2007 and May 2008 to increase working aged men’s awareness of their health and
physical fitness and at the tour was measured over 6000 Finnish men.
METHODS: Body composition (n=6082) was measured by bio electric impedance device InBody 720, which were 3-4 in a truck according
to city.
Aerobic fitness (n=3161) was assessed by Polar OwnIndex (VO2max, ml-1*kg-1*min).
Handgrip strength (n=3241) was measured by Saehan hand dynamometer.
Socioeconomic status was researched in three different inquiries (n=1038).
RESULTS: Of all tested men (n=6187) were 55–64 years 27 %, 45–54 yrs 24 %, >64 17 %, 35–44 15 %, 25) were 64 79 % (n=1028). Estimated by fat percent (F%) slightly or significantly overweight (F%>20)
were 64 76 %. The averages of visceral fat area (VFA=cm2)
were: 64 143. According to the device manufacturer for individual’s
health the recommendable value should be under 100 m2 regardless the age.
Skeletal muscle mass (kg) averages were: 64 33,7. Handgrip
strength (kg) had a significant correlation to skeletal muscle mass (kg): 0,60. The correlation of fat mass (kg) was -0,52, F% -0,46, BMI -
0,45 and VFA -0,48 to VO2max.
CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is quite common in this kind of population judged by fat percent. Visceral fat tends to increase and skeletal muscle
mass decrease according to ageing. Skeletal muscle mass is highly in connection with handgrip strength. Excessive body fat mass
reduces aerobic fitness. An average Jack Finn according to this data is approximately 50 years, slightly overweight and abdominal
obese, is in fair aerobic shape and has good muscle strength.
This study gives fresh reference value data of working aged male population’s physical fitness and health.
AEROBIC FITNESS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY STUDENTS
GJØVAAG, T.
OSLO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
IntroductionIt is reported that aerobic fitness of Norwegian military recruits from 1985 to 2002 decreased by 8%, while body mass and
body mass index increased by 7 and 6% (Dyrstad 2005). It is also reported that the number of military recruits that are dismissed from
duty because of poor fitness has increased over the years (Kurtze 2003). Consequently, it is interesting to investigate the aerobic fitness of
young male and female students that perform some physical activity as part of their curriculum and examine whether their fitness level
have changed in the last decade. MethodsEach year from 2000 to 2009, ~10 % of the physical therapy students enrolled at the Oslo
University College were randomly selected to participate in an exercise test. The test was performed on a Monark E834 ergometer.
Following warm-up, the work load was increased by 25 W every 60 second until exhaustion. Gas exchange was measured by a SensorMedics
229 metabolic cart. Work rate was recorded in Watts (W). All tests were performed by the same investigator. Results were
analysed by ANOVA and independent samples t-test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. ResultsMean (SD) age, height, bodyweight
and BMI of the 137 persons (67 females and 70 males) in the present study was 23 ±3.9 yrs, 175±9.3 cm, 72 ±12 kg and 23.2
±2.2. Body weight and BMI did not change during the analysis period.Average (SD) VO2max values over 10 years show significantly
higher values for men than for women, i.e. 3.83 ±0.6 vs. 2.67 ± 0.3 L min-1, p