Authors : RUPAL AGRAWAL AND PRAJAKTA J. NANDE
Page Nos : 255-259
Description :
The sport of basketball requires specific skills that can be completed under dynamic conditions, in most cases while moving at a high speed or while changing directions. As a result, successful basketball athletes tend to possess high strength, power and agility while maintaining a fairly lean body composition. This study deals with the effect of anthropometric indices and nutrient intake on physical fitness of young girls undergoing basketball training (age=10-15 yrs, n=200). Subjects were selected from basketball clubs of Nagpur city. Height, weight, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC), elbow breadth and shoulder width of players were recorded. Based on three day’s dietary recall, nutrient intake of subjects was calculated. Hemoglobin level (Hb) and hand grip strength of players were measured. Players from both the groups were unable to meet the standards of height for age whereas body weight for age & height was greater than the standard values. The mean values for MUAC, elbow breadth and shoulder width of older players was higher than the younger players. The mean energy intake of players from both age groups was found to be lesser than recommended dietary allowances (RDAs). Intake of fat & protein by players was higher than RDAs. Mean values of Hb level for both age groups of subjects were found to be higher than the cut off level of 11gm/dL. 1% and 13% from 10-12 yrs and 13-15 yrs, respectively, were found to be excellent for hand grip strength.
Keywords: anthropometric indices, nutrient intake, RDAs, physical fitness
