Anthropometric status of amateur bodybuilders in Limpopo Province: a profile of Polokwane Municipality athletes

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Bodybuilding sport is gaining popularity in Limpopo province, particularly around Polokwane Municipality. However, the anthropometric status of these athletes remains unreported. Therefore, this research investigated this unreported profile of bodybuilders training in Polokwane Municipality to cover up this identified gap.METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study using a purposive sampling technique was used to obtain 51 of 65 registered part-time competitive bodybuilders around the Polokwane municipality. Ethical approval was sought from the MEDUNSA Ethics and Research Committee (MREC/HS/251/2014: PG) while written consent was obtained from athletes before data collection. For anthropometry, weight and height were measured using a portable (Seca-213) stadiometer and electronic (Seca-813) scale to determine BMI respectively. For body composition, four skinfold sites (triceps, biceps, subscapular, and suprailliac) were measured using an ergonomic measuring tape (Seca-201) and slim guide bodyfat caliper to determine percentage body fat (%BF). Measurements and procedures were conducted following standards stipulated by Lee and Nieman (2013). Measurements were collected during the off-season period, before the commencement of training. Data were loaded onto the SPSS version 23 for analysis. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, mean, and standard deviation values were used to describe the profile of the athletes. The one-way ANOVA test was used to establish the association of the demographic data to anthropometric status. A P value of ≤0.05 was a criterion significant between the variables. The WHO and standards by Lee and Neman were used to compare the BMI and %BF results of the athletes.RESULTS: Males (94.1%) predominated over females (5.8%), most of whom (66.5%) trained as bodybuilders for 7 months to 2 years. The majority (86.3%) trained for ≥1 hour. Only 15.7% used ergogenics, of which 13.7% used powders. The majority of athletes (65%) had normal body weight (BMI: 23.8±3.2 kg/m2), while 33% and 2% were overweight and obese respectively. Most athletes (78.4%) had acceptable body fat percentages (%BF: 20.6±5.4) while 21.6% had excess body fat percentages.CONCLUSIONS: The anthropometric status of bodybuilding athletes around Polokwane Municipality was within acceptable ranges.