Assessment of Ankara Police College students’ body composition

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the body composition levels of Ankara Police College students and to investigate the relationship between body composition, age and sports participation. In this study, 713 volunteers studying at Ankara Police College within the age range of 15-18 years were investigated.  Skinfold thicknesses were measured from nine different anatomical regions using a Holtain skinfold caliper at the dominant side of the body. Fat mass ratio (%) was calculated from the skinfold thickness formula reported by Slaughter et al. Although significant relations (p< 0.05) has been set on height, weight, body mass index, fat mass ratio (%), abdominal, calf, sub scapular, suprailiac, midaxillar skinfold measurements between the groups from the comparison of the body composition levels of the students according to age groups, any obvious relation (p> 0.05)  has been set on pectoral, thigh, triceps, biceps skinfold measurements. From the comparison of the body composition levels of the students according to sports participation, significant relations (p< 0.05) has been set on   height, weight, body mass index, fat mass ratio (%), abdominal, sub scapular, suprailiac, midaxillar, pectoral, thigh, triceps, skinfold measurements; any obvious relation (p> 0.05) has been set on biceps and calf skinfold measurements. Consequently; the body composition levels of the students studying at Ankara Police College are indicated harmonious variation in age groups and it was assessed that the attendance to sports participation affects the body composition levels positively. Furthermore, sports participation increases fat free body weight and decreases especially trunk skinfold thicknesses.