Electronic Journal of Biology

Keywords

Bone length; Skinfold thickness; Motor performance; Male students.

1. Introduction

Various researches regarding altitude and its effect on human body have been done and researches reveal that there is an effect of altitude on human body. These research will help to prepare diet chart for school students and take preventive measure as what body type they have and susceptible to which disease according to their body type [1-3].

Variation in anthropometric and motor performance due to altitude is a huge concern of research. The performance of athletes in Mexico Olympic has force researchers to think about effect of altitude on human body [4]. With increase in altitude physiological changes like increase in haemoglobin, lung’s alveoli, etc., due to low air pressure has encourage coaches and trainers to train their athletes in high altitudes. Researcher wants to find out how altitude effects on growth of our bones, fat accumulation as well as motor performance of an individuals. Even physical appearance of the individuals residing at different altitudes seems different. So altitude has always been a mystery to the researcher. People residing at high altitude will have more blood compare to individual residing at low altitude so athletes and coaches prefer high altitude training than blood dopping to enhance their performance in their respective sports [5,6].

2. Methods

2.1 Purpose of the study

The purpose of the study was to find out the effects of living altitudes on bone growth, skinfold thickness and motor performance of 14 years old school going male adolescents of four different altitudes of Darjeeling district. 100 students were taken for the research.

2.2 The subjects

One hundred school going male students from four different altitudes were selected randomly as the subject of study. The altitudes were 430 ft, 3000 ft, 6700 ft and 7200 ft, respectively. The age of the subjects was 14 years taken from school records.

2.3 Criterion measures

Researcher had measured age, height and weight as personal data and measured the following parameters (Table 1).

Table 1. Criterion measures.

From Table 2 it was found that the mean height of Group-A (7200 ft), Group-B (6700 ft), Group-C (3000 ft) and Group-D (430 ft) were 1.52 m, 1.56 m, 1.57 m and 1.58 m Similarly the mean weights were 41.12 kg, 43.04 kg, 42.88 kg and 44.20 kg.

Table 2. Mean and S.D of height and weight of four different altitudes.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1 Overall results and discussion on sitting height and foot length

From Tables 3A-3C, it was found that the higher growth in sitting height occurs at an altitude of 3000 ft (Group-C) followed by Group-D (430 ft), Group-B (6700 ft) and Group-A (7200 ft).

Table 3A. Mean and S.D of linear measurements of four different altitudes.

Table 3B. Analysis of linear measurements of four different altitudes.

Table 3C. Least Significant Difference and Multiple Comparisons for linear measurements.

It was found from the study of some researchers that the average sitting height was found. For 14 year old under privileged North West Indian adolescents it was 78.01 cm with S.D of 5.77 and for Chhattisgarh Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya adolescents it was 78.11 cm with S.D of 4.71 and for Chhattisgarh Kendriya Vidyalaya students it was 81.41 cm with S.D of 4.47 [7] and for Shabar Tribal Adolescents of Orissa it was 72.7 cm with S.D of 3.6 and for male students of 24 Pgs (N), West Bengal, it was 73.20 cm with S.D of 4.02. Analysing the result of sitting it may be concluded that the present study has close proximity to Shukla et al. [7].

Similarly the higher growth in foot length was found at an altitude of 430 ft. For Foot length growth, groups may be arranged in descending order as Group- D>Group-A>Group-C>Group-B. Results from the present study show that with decrease in altitude foot length increases.

3.2 Overall results and discussion on acromiale radiale and radiale-stylion radiale

From the study it was found that the growth rate of acromiale radiale was higher at an altitude of 430 ft (Group-D). Growth of acromiale radiale may be arranged in descending order as Group-D>Group- C>Group-B>Group-A [8,9].

It was found from the study of Fryar et al. [4] that the average length of acromiale radiale of 14 year old adolescents of United States was 36.3 cm. with SEM of 0.25.

The growth of radiale-stylion radiale was higher at an altitude of 430 ft (Group-D). For Radialestylion radiale growth, groups may be arranged in descending order as Group-D>Group-B>Group- C>Group-A.

It was found that students residing at lowest altitude have longer acromiale radiale and genetic factors may be behind this reality. Apart from genetic factors these male students belong to urban areas and being from lower middle class family they had to travel hanging inside the bus with their hands everyday may lead to longer acromiale radiale.

3.3 Overall results and discussion on midstyliondactylion and trochanterion-tibiale laterale length

From the study it was found that the growth rate of Midstylion-dactylion was higher at an altitude of 6700 feet (Group-B). For Midstylion-dactylion growth, groups may be arranged in descending order as Group-B>Group-D>Group-C>Group-A.

The growth of Trochanterion-tibiale laterale length was higher at an altitude of 3000 ft (Group-C). For Trochanterion-tibiale laterale growth, groups may be arranged in descending order as Group-C>Group- D>Group-A>Group-B.

It was found from the study of Fryar et al. [4] that the average length of Trochanterion-Tibiale Laterale (upper leg length) of 14 year old adolescents of United States was 40.5 cm with SEM of 0.28.

3.4 Overall results and discussion on tibiale laterale height and tibiale mediale-sphyrion tibiale length

From the study it was found that the growth rate of Tibiale mediale-sphyrion tibiale was higher at an altitude of 6700 ft (Group-B). For Tibiale medialesphyrion tibiale growth, groups may be arranged in descending order as Group-D>Group-B>Group- C>Group-A.

The growth of Tibiale laterale height was higher at an altitude of 430 ft (Group-D). For Tibiale laterale height growth pattern, groups may be arranged in descending order as Group-D>Group-C>Group- B>Group-A. During 13 years, tibiale laterale height was longer in lowest altitude but with increase in age growth rate of highest altitude becomes more.

3.5 Overall results and discussion on triceps skinfold thickness

From the Tables 4A-4C, it was found that fat accumulation in triceps region was found more at an altitude of 6700 ft (Group-B). For triceps growth, groups may be arranged in descending order as Group-B>Group-A>Group-C>Group-D.

Table 4A. Mean and S.D of skinfold thickness of four different altitudes.

Table 4B. Analysis of skinfold thickness of four different altitudes.

Table 4C. Least significant difference and multiple comparisons for skinfold thickness.

Table 5A. Mean and S.D of motor performance of four different altitudes.

Table 5B. Analysis of motor performance of four different altitudes.

Table 5C. Least Significant Difference and Multiple Comparisons for motor performance.

It was found from the study of Fryar et al. [4], the average triceps skinfold thickness of 14 year old adolescents of United States was 12.9 mm with SEM of 0.83; for Shabar Tribal Adolescents of Orissa, it was 5.6 mm with S.D of 1.8 [10] and for Bengali Boys of Nimta, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal it was 7.3 mm with S.D of 2.4 [1].

3.6 Overall results and discussion on biceps and sub scapular skinfold thickness

From the study it was found that fat accumulation in biceps region was found more at an altitude of 6700 ft (Group-B). For biceps growth, groups may be arranged in descending order as Group-B>Group- A>Group-C=Group-D.

It was found from the study of Chakrabarty and Bharati [10] that the average biceps skinfold thickness of 14 year old Shabar Tribal Adolescents of Orissa was 3.2 mm with S.D of 0.6 and for Bengali Boys of Nimta, West Bengal it was 4.6 mm with S.D of 1.7 [1].

From the study it was found that fat accumulation in sub scapular region was found more at an altitude of 6700 ft (Group-B). For sub scapular growth, groups may be arranged in descending order as Group- B>Group-D>Group-A>Group-C.

It was found from the study of Fryar et al. [4], the average sub scapular skinfold thickness of 14 year old adolescents of united states was 11 mm with SEM of 0.68, for Shabar Tribal Adolescents of Orissa it was 7 with S.D of 1.6 [10] and for Bengali Boys of Nimta, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal it was 9.3 mm with S.D of 3.7 [1].

3.7 Overall results and discussion on iliac creast and supra spinale skinfold thickness

From the study it was found that fat accumulation in biceps region was found more at an altitude of 6700 ft (Group-B). For iliac creast growth, groups may be arranged in descending order as Group-B>Group- D>Group-C>Group-A.

It was found from the study of Chakrabarty and Bharati [10] that the average Iliac creast skinfold thickness of 14 year old Shabar Tribal Adolescents of Orissa was 5.7 mm with S.D of 1.5 and for Bengali Boys of Nimta, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal it was 9.5 mm with S.D of 4.3 [1].

It was found that fat accumulation in supra spinale region was found more at an altitude of 6700 ft (Group-B). For supra spinale growth, it may be arranged in descending order as Group-B>Group-D>Group-C>Group-A.

It was found from the study that the average supra spinale skinfold thickness of 13-15 years old adolescents of Zaria, Nigeria was 0.48 cm with S.D of 0.15.

3.8 Overall results and discussion on abdominal and medial calf skinfold thickness

From the study it was found that fat accumulation in abdominal region was found more at an altitude of 6700 ft (Group-B). For abdominal skinfold thickness growth, groups may be arranged in descending order as Group-B>Group-D>Group-C>Group-A.

It was found from the study of Chakrabarty and Bharati [10] that the average abdominal skinfold thickness of 14 year old Shabar Tribal Adolescents of Orissa was 7.1 mm with S.D of 2.4.

It was found that fat accumulation in medial calf region was found more at an altitude of 6700 ft (Group-B). For medial calf skin fold thickness growth, groups may be arranged in descending order as Group- B>Group-D>Group-A>Group-C.

It was found from the study of Mukhopadhyay et al. [1] that the average medial calf skinfold thickness of 14 year old Bengali Boys of North 24 Parganas, W. Bengal was 8.4 mm. with S.D of 2.2 (Tables 5A-5C).

3.9 Overall results and discussion on shuttle run and 50 m dash

From the study it was found that performance in shuttle run was more at an altitude of 3000 ft (Group-C). For Shuttle run performance, groups may be arranged according to superiority in descending order as Group-C>Group-B>Group-D>Group-A.

It was found from the study of Paul [9], the average shuttle run speed (m/s) of 14 year old male students of 24 Pgs (N), West Bengal was 11.20 s with S.D of 0.46 and worldwide average shuttle run speed was 11.517 with S.D of 1.323. Analysing the result of shuttle run it may be concluded that the present study has close proximity to Paul [9].

It was found that performance in 50 m Dash was more at an altitude of 3000 ft (Group-C). For 50 m Dash performance, groups may be arranged according to superiority in descending order as Group-C>Group- A>Group-B>Group-D.

It was found from the study of Paul [9], the average 50 m run speed (m/s) of 14 year old male students of 24 Pgs (N), West Bengal was 8.36 s with S.D of 0.72.

3.10 Overall results and discussion on S.B.J and sit ups

From the study it was found that performance in standing broad jump was more at an altitude of 6700 ft (Group-B). For standing broad jump of age group 14, groups may be arranged in descending order as Group-B>Group-C=Group-D>Group-A.

It was found from the study of Paul [9], the average standing broad jump of 14 year old male students of 24 Pgs (N), West Bengal was 171.37 cm with S.D of 15.92 and for Macedonian school children it was 180.5 cm with S.D of 28.07. Analysing the result of standing broad jump it may be concluded that the present study has close proximity to Paul [9].

It was found that performance in sit ups was more at an altitude of 430 feet (Group-D). For sit ups, i.e., abdominal strength performance, groups may be arranged in descending order as Group-D>Group- B>Group-C>Group-A.

4. Conclusion

From above findings following conclusions can be drawn:

• Group-B (Altitude-6700 ft) male students had greater Midstylion-dactylion, growth and greater Triceps, Biceps, Sub Scapular, IliacCreast, Supra Spinale, Abdominal and Medial Calf skinfold thickness and can perform better in Standing Broad Jump among four different altitudes.

• Group-C (Altitude-3000 ft) male student had greater Sitting Height, Trochanterion-Tibiale Laterale length and perform better in Shuttle Run and 50 m dash.

• Group-D (Altitude-430 ft) male student had greater Foot length, Acromiale radiale, Radiale-Stylion Radiale, Tibiale med-sphyrion tibiale, Tibiale laterale height and perform better in Sit Ups among four different altitudes.

5. Recommendation

• Similar type of study can be done for different age groups.

• Similar type of study can be done on other anthropometric measurements.

• Similar type of study can be done on different altitude.

• Study regarding the causes behind such variation in growth can be done.

References

1. Mukhopadhyay A, Bhadra M, Bose K. (2005). Regional adiposity, body composition and central body fat distribution of 10-16 years old Bengalee boys of Nimta, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. Coll Antropol. 29: 487-492.
2. Singh A, Jagdish B, Singh GJ, et al. (2003). Essential in physical education. 5th edn. Kalyani Publishers.
3.  Barrow HM, McGee R. (1979). A practical to measurement in physical education. Philadelphia. Lea and Febiger.
4. Fryar CD, Gu Q, Ogden CL. (2012). Anthropometric reference data for children and adults: United States, 2007-2010. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat. 11.
5. Garrett HE. (2007). Statistics in psychology and education, New Delhi: 12th edn. Paragon International Publisher.
6. Johnson, Nelson. (1935). Practical measurements for evaluation in physical education. Burges Publishers.
7. Shukla M, Venugopal R, Mitra M. (2008). A comparative study of growth pattern and motor quality of boys of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya and Kendriya Vidyalaya in Chhattisgarh, India. J Exerc Sci Physiother. 4: 63-72.
8. Michael MJ, Tim O, Arthur S, et al. (2001). International standards for anthropometric assessment. Cataloguing-in-Publishers.
9. PauL PK. (2013). Age related changes on growth and motor performance of 13 & 14 years boys. Int Educ E J. 2: 99-106.
10. Chakrabarty S, Bharati P. (2008). Physical growth and nutritional status of the Shabar tribal adolescents of Orissa, India: A cross-sectional study. Mal J Nutr. 14: 101-112.