Interrelations of physical state parameters and biological age of students in the process of physical education

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. The objective of the study is to investigate the relationships of students' biological age (BA) with the parameters of functional and physical fitness (PF) in the process of adaptation to standard (university) and experimental physical education programs. Material and  Methods. The studies were conducted at the National University of Telecommunications of Ukraine and involved 140 students aged 17-18 years old, comprising 80 boys and 60 girls. We recorded 55 indices of students' functional state and physical fitness, and determined their Body Mass Index (BMI). The experimental data were processed using methods of correlation, dispersion, and regression analysis. Mathematical models describing the relationships between BMI and key indicators of students' physical well-being were developed. Results.  The impact of the program on 17-18-year-old students is marked by a decrease in BMI, an increase in the levels of physical fitness and overall well-being among both the experimental group of girls and boys. Additionally, there is a reduced correlation between BMI and the parameters of their physical health. The key indices of functional state and physical fitness determining the BMI of male and female students were identified. Multiple regression models were developed to illustrate the dependence of male and female BMI on somatic and functional indices. Quantitative characteristics of the degree of partial and total impact of key indices on male and female BMI were provided. It was found that the key indicators of students' physical state (PS) structure, which exerted the most significant influence on BMI, differ between young men and women. In young men, the key indicators influencing BMI include the following: Vital capacity (VC) accounts for 51.9% of BMI variation; self-perceived health status (SPHS) contributes 15.3%; static balancing (SB) affects 8.5%; inspiration breath-hold time (IBH) influences 8.4%; expiration breath-hold time (EBH) has a 0.8% impact; systolic blood pressure (SBP) plays a role with 4.6%; the number of sit-ups in 30 seconds (SU30s) is associated with 0.9%; and left hand muscle strength has a 0.6% influence.  In girls, the key indicators are VC (34.5% of BMI variation), SBP (23.1%), and SB (7.9%). Conclusions. The experimental program of increased motor activity leads to an increase in the functional and motor capabilities of students, while simultaneously decreasing their BMI. Among the parameters studied, changes in vegetative parameters have the greatest impact on reducing students' BMI during the annual cycle of long-term adaptation to physical loads. In contrast, changes in somatic parameters and physical fitness parameters have a lesser influence on students' BMI. The calculated equations of multiple regression serve as model characteristics that reflect the relationships between BMI and the key indicators of functional state and physical fitness in 17-18-year-old students. These equations can be utilized to estimate, model, and predict the BMI of 17-18-year-old students of different genders when altering the parameters of their physical state in various conditions of daily life and activity.