doi:10.3900/fpj.6.3.147.e
EISSN 1676-5133
Corporal composition and objectives
for supervisioned physical activities for
starting men and women in program of
physical exercises at Botucatu-SP’s gym
Original Article
1
Universidade para o Desenvolvimento do Estado e da Região do Pantanal-Uniderp, Ms.;
Universidade Católica Dom Bosco (UCDB);
3
Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul;
4
Universidade de São Paulo; 5-Universidade do Contestado –Unc-Concórdia/Sc.
Fabricio Cesar de Paula Ravagnani2,3
[email protected]
2
Arnaldo Tenório da Cunha Júnior5
[email protected]
Rafael de Werk1
[email protected]
Christianne de Faria Coelho1,4
[email protected]
Ravagnani FCP, Cunha Júnior AT, Werk R, Coelho CF. Corporal composition and objectives for supervisioned physical activities for
starting men and women in program of physical exercises at Botucatu-SP’s gym. Fit Perf J. 2007;6(3):147-51.
ABSTRACT: Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the corporal composition and the aim of participants to look for
physical activity program in a gym at Botucatu, SP. Methods: There were selected 104 men (M) (42.39 ± 12.98 years) and 90
women (W) (43.88 ± 10.31 years). They have been evaluated: weight, height, corporal mass index (CMI), abdominal circumference (AC). The related individuals’ objective was collected by anamnesis. Results: There was a statistically significant difference
(p <0.01) between the genders in relation to height (H = 1.72 ± 0.15 m and M = 1.60 ± 0.06 m), weight (H = 79.20 ± 11.
21kg and M = 66.70 ± 11.86 kg) and CA (H = 92.90 ± 9.26 cm and M = 83.35 ± 11.28 cm), although both are classified as
overweight according to the IMC (H = 26.10 ± 3.50 kg/m2 and M = 25.80 ± 4.50 kg/m2). As for the goals of individuals male,
the results indicated that 58% seek physical condition, 27% aesthetics, 2% recreation, 2% therapeutic purpose, 1% convivial social
and 10% other. Among women, 61% seek aesthetics, 28% physical conditioning, social coexistence 1%, 0% therapeutic and 10%
others. Conclusion: It is concluded that men and women had a diagnosis of overweight. However, the men prioritized physical
conditioning and the women the aesthetic one, suggesting cultural difference between genders.
Keywords: gym, physical activity, corporal composition.
Correspondence to:
R: Brasil, 708. Apt 82. Bairro: São Francisco - Campo Grande-Ms - Cep: 79010-230
Submitted: Decembero / 2006
Accepted: March / 2007
Copyright© 2008 Colégio Brasileiro de Atividade Física, Saúde e Esporte.
Fit Perf J
Rio de Janeiro
6
3
147-151
May/Jun 2007
147
RESUMO
RESUMEN
Composição corporal e objetivos na procura de atividades físicas supervisionadas entre iniciantes em programa de exercícios físicos em
academia de Botucatu-SP
Composición corporal y objetivos en la búsqueda de actividades físicas supervisadas entre iniciantes en programa de ejercicios físicos en
gimnasio de Botucatu-SP.
Objetivo: Avaliar a composição corporal e os objetivos na procura de atividades físicas supervisionadas entre iniciantes em programa de exercícios em
academia. Métodos: Participaram do estudo 104 homens (H) (42,39 ± 12,98
anos) e 90 mulheres (M) (43,88 ± 10,31 anos). Foram avaliados: peso, estatura, índice de massa corporal (IMC) e perimetria abdominal (CA). Os dados
relativos aos objetivos dos indivíduos foram coletados através de anamnese.
Resultados: Houve diferença estatística (p<0,01) entre os sexos, em relação
à estatura (H=1,72±0,15m e M=1,60±0,06m), peso (H=79,20±11,21kg
e M=66,70±11,86kg) e CA (H=92,90±9,26cm e M=83,35±11,28cm),
embora ambos estejam classificados como sobrepeso de acordo com o IMC
(H=26,10±3,50kg/m2 e M=25,80±4,50 kg/m2). Quanto aos objetivos dos
indivíduos do sexo masculino, os resultados indicaram que 58% buscam condicionamento físico, 27% estética, 2% lazer, 2% objetivos terapêuticos, 1% convívio
social e 10% outros. Entre as mulheres, 61% buscam estética, 28% condicionamento físico, 1% convívio social, 0% terapêutico e 10% outros. Conclusão:
Conclui-se que homens e mulheres apresentaram diagnóstico de sobrepeso.
Porém, os homens priorizaram o condicionamento físico e as mulheres a estética,
sugerindo diferença cultural entre os sexos.
Objetivo: Evaluar la composición corporal y los objetivos en la búsqueda de
actividades físicas supervisadas entre iniciantes en programa de ejercicios en
gimnasio. Métodos: Participaron del estudio 104 hombres (H) (42,39 ± 12,98
años) y 90 mujeres (M) (43,88 ± 10,31 años). Fueron evaluados: peso, estatura,
índice de masa corporal (IMC) y perimetria abdominal (CA). Los datos relativos
a los objetivos de los individuos fueron colectados a través de la anamnesis.
Resultados: Hubo diferencia estadística (p<0,01) entre los sexos en relación
a la estatura (H=1,72±0,15m y M=1,60±0,06m) peso (H=79,20±11,21kg
y M=66,70±11,86kg) y CA (H=92,90±9,26cm y M=83,35±11,28cm),
aunque ambos estén clasificados como sobrepeso de acuerdo con o IMC
(H=26,10±3,50kg/m2 y M=25,80±4,50 kg/m2). Cuanto a los objetivos de
los individuos del sexo masculino, los resultados indicaron que 58% buscan
condicionamiento físico, 27% estética, 2% ocio, 2% tiene objetivos terapéuticos,
1% convivencia social y 10% otros. Entre las mujeres, 61% buscan estética, 28%
condicionamiento físico, 1% convivencia social, 0% terapéutico y 10% otros.
Conclusión: Se concluye que hombres y mujeres presentaron diagnóstico de
sobrepeso. Sin embargo, los hombres priorizaron el condicionamiento físico y
las mujeres la estética, sugiriendo diferencia cultural entre los sexos.
Palavras chave: academia de ginástica, atividade física, composição corporal.
Palabras clave: gimnasio, actividad física, composición corporal.
INTRODUCTION
The sedentary lifestyle increases the incidence of several chronic
diseases not transmitted as cardiovascular, arterial hypertension,
type 2 diabetes and many types of cancer1,2,3. In addition to early
mortality, the sedentary way of life increases the prevalence of
diseases osteomuscular with consequent reduction of the ability
to perform activities of daily1,2,4.
Furthermore, the practice of regular physical activity brings many
benefits to health that can be verified in both genders and in different age groups, including: increase the energy expenditure,
control of corporal fat, improvement of glycemic and lipid profiles,
lowering blood pressure and improving motor coordination, muscular strength, balance, flexibility and capacity cardiorespiratory2,4,5.
Besides the benefits physiological, morphological and functional,
physical activity also generates psychological gains, as reducing
the framework of depression and social isolation and increasing
self-esteem6,7.
For these reasons, the scientific literature, the media and various
health care professionals strongly recommend the conduct of
physical exercises, both for the treatment of various diseases,
mental or metabolic origin as to the maintenance of functional
capacity and autonomy of individuals2,4.
However, in most developing countries, economic growth,
industrialization and expansion of trade generated significant
improvements in the standard of living and availability of services
for the population, but at the same time, also yielded negative
consequences, such as downtime Physical4.
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The urbanization and the increase in technology have contributed
to the more sedentary way of life for children, adults and elderly, since facilitated the implementation of various tasks before
considered difficult, such as domestic and occupational, and
discouraged simple activities such as walking, climbing ladders
and active leisure. In addition, the hours of leisure are increasingly
occupied by television, computers, video games and other options
physically inactive8.
According to Pan American Health8, technological change increased the cost of physical activity and reduced while the cost
of consumption of calories, the latter linked mainly to a more
efficient agricultural production and development of the industry
of food, not allowing just the greater availability of food in nature,
but also the processed, rich in calories and saturated fats. The
result of these changes is the fact that individuals are forced to
make larger investments of time and money, such as for the gym,
to achieve the same levels of physical activity, their ancestors and
keep the energy balance.
Another aspect related to inactivity is the lack of urban planning,
with few places for the practice of physical activities, such as parks,
bike paths and parks. This is considered to be a major barrier to
the adoption of lifestyle active because “forcing” people to seek
more appropriate places to practice sports. Allied to these factors,
the increasing violence seen in urban centres prevents people from
leaving their homes, making them even more sedentary or motivated to seek safer locations for the achievement exercises7,8.
Fit Perf J, Rio de Janeiro, 6, 3, 148, May/Jun 2007
In addition to the factors cited above, the demand for physical activities is also made by individuals who wish to obtain a perfect body
and well structured. In a society that values the corporal aesthetic
and superficiality of relationships, attend a college can mean the
taking of improvement in social status and self-esteem9,10.
For all these reasons, the demand for gym is growing, both in
developed countries as those in development. According to the
Brazilian Association of Gym10,11, the United States lead the market
in fitness, where there are 20,249 gym, attended by 14% of the
population. The England is the second market with 4,050 gym
(5.7% of the population), followed by Germany (6,500 gym,
5.6% of the population), Japan (1,872 gym), France (2,000 gym)
and Spain (1,500 gym, 5% of the population). From preliminary
surveys with representatives from several states, it is estimated that
in Brazil there are 7,000 gyms throughout the country, attended
by approximately 1.6% of the population11.
Besides increasing the number of gym and the number of registered, the sale of household appliances, gymnastics has grown
exponentially in recent years in Brazil. It is estimated that the domestic market grew more than 100% in the last decade, a figure
higher than the growth in the American market12.
Whereas the reasons that lead individuals to seek a program
of physical exercise can be different, depending on the various
factors associated with gender, age, culture, religion, occupation,
socio-economic status, among others, the prescription of physical
activities, or by any purpose, must meet the needs and aspirations
individual, or “what people want and / or need”2.
So not only meet the clinical, morphological (corporal composition) and driven, but also the objectives, expectations, needs and
motivations of the individuals seeking the gym is to be priority
among professionals, as will the development of training programs
customized , able to stimulate the incorporation and maintenance
of healthy living habits among individuals2,7.
In this sense objectives for supervisioned corporal composition
and starting physical activities for men and women in program
of physical exercises at Botucatu-SP’s gym.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We selected 194 individuals, 104 males (42.39 ± 12.98 years)
and 90 females (43.88 ± 10.31 years), living in Botucatu - SP,
all regular the Club Association Athletic Botucatu (A.A.B), starter
in a supervised program of exercise and placed in the gym of
the club.
All subjects were informed about the proposed study and the
procedures to which would be submitted and signed expiry of free
and informed consent. The study was approved by the Research
Ethics Committee - UNIMEP under the Protocol nº. 50/05 in
accordance with the Resolution 196/96 of the National Council
of Health.
Fit Perf J, Rio de Janeiro, 6, 3, 149, May/Jun 2007
Corporal Composition
Steps were taken of corporal weight and height. The ramp was
rated the balance with the body’s weight equally distributed between the feet, erect and look forward fixed. Used clothes mild,
the minimum possible, and without shoes. Was used digital scale
brand Filizola, with a capacity of 150kg and accuracy of 100g.
The height was measured using a stadiometer fixed on the wall
with a movable rod. The assessed remained in the orthostatic
position, barefoot and with the feet together, keeping in contact
with the wall surfaces of the posterior heels of the pelvic waist, the
waist scapular and the occipital region. The arms were loose on
the side of the body and hands directed to the thighs, the body
weight equally distributed between the feet. The measure was
carried out with the individual in inspiratory apnea, head erect
and eyes fixed ahead.
The corporal mass index (CMI) was calculated by the ratio (corporal weight) / (height * stature), and corporal weight expressed in
kilograms (kg) and height in meters (m). The nutritional diagnosis,
according to CMI, used the criteria proposed by the World Health
Organization (OMS)13.
A measure of abdominal perimeter was made with the use of tape
of cellulose, with precision of 0.5 cm, in order to be fair, but not
tight, above the umbilical scar, with the individual in anatomic
position. It was high risk of cardiovascular disease figures exceeding 102cm for men and 88cm for women7.
Purposes on the program of exercises
Data for the goal of individuals as to the practice of the program
of physical exercise were collected through a questionnaire conducted during the usual clinical anamnesis at the time of physical
evaluation, and this, criterion of the club for the start of training in
the gym. The purposes of individuals with the program of exercises
were divided into six categories: aesthetics, leisure, therapeutic,
physical condition, social closeness and others.
Aesthetics: were included in this category, individuals associated
whose purpose is to improve the ways corporal without concerns
with health, social closeness: were included in this category
students seeking physical activity with the expectation to interact
socially; leisure: individuals who sought the gym to occupy
the free time available; therapeutic or clinical trials: the
practitioners sought the exercise usually by medical guidance, to
compensate for postural defects, recovery from injuries, prevent
or treat diseases such as: hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia,
osteoporosis etc; physical condition: individuals who sought
the gym with the intention to “run over”, “climb stairs more easily,” “play football without tired”, “have more strength” or “have
more breathtaking,” among others; others: were included in this
category individuals who did not respond to that question or to
be unsuited to any of the categories described above.
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ANALYSIS OF THE DATA
It was used Student’s t test for independent samples, the comparison of anthropometric variables between the genders (p <0.01).
Data for the objectives of the students facing the programme of
exercises were treated in distribution.
RESULTS
Table 1 show that significant differences were observed for height,
weight and abdominal circumference between the genders, with
higher values for men. Both men as women had normal values for
abdominal circumference. Already the CMI was similar between
men and women, and that both were classified as pre-obese.
As for objective reported by individuals males (Figure 1), notes that
58% of men sought physical condition, 27% aesthetics, 2%, leisure, 2% therapeutic purpose and 1% social closeness, while 10%
of individuals not reported objective with the program (other).
Among women (graph 2), notes that 61% prioritizes aesthetics,
28% physical condition, only 1% aimed at the social closeness
or leisure and no woman reported therapeutic purpose with the
program, while 10% reported no goals (others).
DISCUSSION
The concern in analysing the anthropometric profile of individuals
due to the fact that obesity considered both a health problem,
contributing to the development of a number of diseases, as to the
problems associated with the corporal aesthetic. Therefore, differences between the genders, associated with corporal composition,
could influence the objectives of individuals to seek the gym.
The data from this study showed that there was a differentiation
in the statistical mean values of corporal weight, height and
abdominal perimeter for men and women. These findings reflect
physiological differences in anthropometric characteristics influenced by gender, as described in the literature. The reference to
McArdle14 standards, which are based on physical size averages
obtained from measurements of thousands of individuals, show
that, compared to a woman of the same age group from 20 to
24 years old, the man is about 6cm high and 13kg heavier.
Geography and Statistics (IBGE) on the anthropometric profile of
the Brazilian population, which indicate high prevalence of excess
weight (CMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) between adult women (39.2%) and adult
men (41%) from different regions of the country15.
A given interesting is that even with similar classification on
anthropometric characteristics, the objectives in relation to the
demand by the gym were different between the genders. Most
women (61%) had aesthetic goals, unlike the men, who prioritize
physical condition (58%).
Currently, the weight that the media attaches to the body creates
strong emotional and aesthetic expectations in the contemporary
woman. The presentation of famous people as models of
achievement, sensuality and happiness, suggests that the perfect
body brings a message of the success of its proprietary9,16.
The research conducted by Melo16 in the gym and clinics for aesthetic of middle-class neighborhoods of the city of Recife points to
the fact that women are increasingly interested in building a body
that can be used as a tool of social promotion and ascension,
whether in the field of affective relationships, whether in the sectors
of the labour market that require good corporal shape.
However, it was noted in the present study a strong tendency of
men to seek a college with aesthetic purposes, as it appeared in
second place among the goals reported by males. This behaviour
is in line with the general growth observed in industries of fashion,
cosmetics and products specific to the male audience, proving the
importance of aesthetics corporal in contemporary society2,9,16.
The fact of men prioritize the physical condition can be partly
explained by historical and cultural factors. Historically, man has
always been very active and, since its emergence, lived much of
his time as a nomad, requiring perform activities that require great
physical effort, such as hunting and agriculture16,17. Furthermore,
throughout the history of humanity, the good physical condition
and always vigorous physical activity were associated with the
image of people strong, healthy and winners14.
A given interesting and unexpected, observed in the study, is that
although the calls with the media campaigns against nicotine
addiction, sedentary lifestyle and obesity have high interest and
concern about health in current society, it can be seen that only
2% of men and no woman reported therapeutic goals. Moreover,
the social coexistence has been prioritized by only 1% of men and
1% of women.
The abdominal hyperadiposis is related to several metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and
all these risk factors for the disease cardiovasculares5. However,
when the data were analyzed in relation to patterns of normalcy, it
was observed that both men as women had considered desirable
values for abdominal circumference, or less than 88cm and
102cm respectively. The same did not happen for CMI, despite
being similar between men and women (p> 0.05), exceeded the
values of normality, since both genders were classified as preobese (BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2) 7.
Perhaps, if the average age of the subjects of this study were higher,
we could find a different behavior, as the prevalence of disease
and social isolation increased with ageing. This fact was noted by
Santos et al18 in a survey conducted recently, involving 19 thousand
customers of gym two in Rio de Janeiro, noting that both men as
more young women, pointed to the aesthetic appearance as a
main reason for the search gym. Among the elderly, the health
and quality of life were the main reasons for the demand.
These findings, although a representative sample specific, corroborate the data recently published by the Brazilian Institute of
Considering the fact that the interest in gym, it is demonstrated,
for the most part, by younger individuals, was not performed in
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Fit Perf J, Rio de Janeiro, 6, 3, 150, May/Jun 2007
the present study the stratification of ages, as it would reduce
considerably the sample.
CONCLUSION
It is concluded that, on average, men and women had a diagnosis
of overweight. However, the men prioritized physical conditioning
and the women the aesthetic one, suggesting cultural difference
between genders.
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