Body Mass Index

The Body Mass Index - BMI

The body mass index is also known as the Quetelet index. It is a measurement of statistics that compares a person's body weight and height. It's an effective tool for estimating the healthy body mass based on the height of an individual. It is accurate, and it is most widely used tool to pinpoint the problem with weight.

Criteria For Underweight And Obesity By BMI

Utilizing The World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria for underweight and obesity through BMI it is possible to find out if this person falls under the categories of overweight, overweight overweight or falls into the category of obesity.

Calculation Of BMI

BMI for an individual is calculated using the following formula:Body Mass Index (BMI) = Body mass (weight x height) (height in relation to height)
The weight of an individual can be measured as kilograms and the height is taken in meters.
Example:
Let's say that an individual's body weight is 70kg and the height is 1.60 m. Now , compute these values.
BMI = 70 / (1.60 x 1.60) = 70 / 2.56 = 27.34 kg/m2
With the help of guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria for underweight and obesity
By BMI by BMI, you will be able to discover if the individual falls into the category of normal, overweight, or
weight, overweight or falls in the category of obesity.

Precautions During Measurements

These precautions should be observed when taking measurements to determine BMI.

1. The body's weight should be measured using an efficient and precise weight machine.
2. The student with a body mass to be recorded, must dress in the minimum standard of clothing without shoes.
3. During the measurement of height the student should stand barefooted and their entire body must be straight.

Physical Fitness Test (AAPHERD Test Score)

AAPHERD i.e. American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance is a fitness test that helps assess and judge the fitness levels of children. The first version of this test was announced in 1958, then updated in 1966 , and then in 1976. A variety of modifications to the test's testing battery were made in 1976 , in the AAPHER's youth fitness test. The test was designed to assess the fitness levels of youngsters. The tests evaluate body composition and flexibility, agility, coordination, upper body strength, and endurance for aerobics. They are designed to ensure that they can be administered by experts on the job.

Below are the test component for The AAPHERD assessment of physical strength:

1. Pull ups (boys)
2. Flexed-arm hang (girls)
3. Flexed leg sit ups
4. Shuttle run
5. Standing broad jump
6. 50-yard dash 9 minute run suitable from ages 10-12 years old and 1.5 mile or 12 minutes run for kids 13 and up.

In the year 1980 AAPHERD introduced the "PhysicalBest" test which contained the following items:
1. 1 1/2 mile walk or a 12-minute run
2. Measurement of body fat in the skin fold
3. Sit ups
4. Pull ups
5. Sit and test your reach

The test for physical fitness recognizes students for their physical fitness in the above exercises.

Shuttle Run

This event measures speed, agility and speed of the participants. The students are required to draw two parallel lines 30 feet apart. Then, place two wood blocks between the two lines. Students start on the parallel line. After the signal "Go", the student runs to the blocks , selects one up, runs back to the line from which they started, puts the blocks behind the line, is back and takes the second block and runs across the starting line. Blocks should be placed inside the lines.

Pull-Ups Testing

The student hangs from the horizontal bar at a height the student can hang from, with arms fully extended and feet free of floors using either an grip or an underhand. Students with a shorter height could be lifted to a starting position. They lift their body until their chin clears the bar and then lower the bar.
Body is brought to full hang body to full hang starting. The student performs as many correct pull ups as he can.

Flexed- Arm Hang Testing

With an overhand or underhand grip, student is in a flexed hanging and chin just above the bar. Students are able to be lifted to this position. The student holds the position indefinitely.

Flexed Arm Hang Scoring

Student's chest should be held close to the bar, with the legs straight. The timer is stopped when student's chin touches or is lowered below the bar.

Standing Long Jump

A standing jump can be a regular and straightforward test that tests explosive leg power. The athlete stands in front of a line marked on the ground. With their feet a little apart. A two-foot landing and take-off is accomplished by swinging the arms as well as bending knees to create forward thrust. The participant tries to leap to the maximum height possible, landing on both feet without falling backwards. Three attempts are permitted. The measurement is taken from beginning point to place of contact when landing. the longest distance jumped in the three best attempts is recorded.

50-Yard Dash

It's a way to measure the speed of the student. The student is positioned behind the starting line , and begins sprinting on the signal "Go'. As soon as the distance is covered the time required to cover 50 yards is recorded.

The new test developed by AAPHERD attempts to measure health fitness:

1. 1 1/2 Mile Walk/Run Or 12-Minute Run

Students are required to run 1.5 mile. Their times are measured by stop watch. If this method is not appropriate, then the students are required in 12 mins of running. In this way, the distance is noted down. This is the first method that is considered to be the most effective method to determine the fitness of the heart.

2. Skin Fold Measurement:

In this test , calipers skin is used to determine how thick fat is in various areas of the body. After taking measurements of the thickness of various parts of the body, these measurements are then placed in one equation (different equation for boys and girls) for calculate the density of your body. After calculating body density, the data is placed into an equation to calculate the percentage of body fat. All measurements must be done from the left side.
The three components that are listed below are measured:
(a) Abdominal skinfold
(b) Chest skinfold
(c) Arm skinfold