RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BLOOD PRESSURE AND BODY COMPOSITION OF ACTIVE AND INACTIVE STUDENTS OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BLOOD PRESSURE AND BODY COMPOSITION OF ACTIVE AND INACTIVE STUDENTS OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA
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Date
2011-03
Authors
ABAH, Joshua Agene
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Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between blood pressure and body composition of
active and inactive students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Similar investigations
especially in northern universities were very scanty. Furthermore, it was not very clear
how blood pressure was affected by such factors as body mass index, waist
circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and percent body fat. To this end the hypotheses were
formulated for testing. The ex-post facto research design with stratified random sampling
technique was used. Thereafter, a sample of 1,297 subjects representing 5% of the
targeted population was randomly selected for the study. The Omron automatic digital
blood pressure monitor, a flexible measuring tape, bathroom weighing scale, stadiometre
and Harpenden skinfold calliper were used to collect data on blood pressure, waist and
hip circumferences, body weight, height and three skinfolds from both genders
respectively. While waist to hip ratio and body mass index were determined, percent body
fat was calculated from total skinfolds and gender specific body density formula. The
completed International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) - short version were
coded and used to categorise the students into active and inactive subjects. The data were
imputed into the system and was analysed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation
Coefficient (SPSS 14 for Windows) to determine relationship between the variables.
Decision to accept or reject the hypotheses was made at P ≤ 0.05 alpha level of
significance. Major findings of the study revealed that: Relationship between systolic and
diastolic blood pressures was positively significant among the active and inactive subjects
in this study; Relationship between systolic blood pressure and body mass index was
positively significant among the active and inactive subjects in this study; Relationship
between diastolic blood pressure and body mass index was positively significant among
the active and inactive subjects in this study and Relationship between waist
circumference and body mass index was positively significant among the active and
inactive subjects in this study. On the basis of these findings, it was therefore
recommended that since high blood pressure is a silent killer disease; adults should be
encouraged to participate in at least moderate intensity physical activity three to five
times per week throughout life.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA:
IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE(MSc) DEGREE IN EXERCISE
AND SPORTSCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION,
FACULTY OF EDUCATION,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA.
Keywords
RELATIONSHIP,, BLOOD PRESSURE,, BODY COMPOSITION,, ACTIVE AND INACTIVE STUDENTS,, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,, ZARIA,, NIGERIA,