Physiological Parameters in Male College Students - Lab Report Example

Physiological Parameters in Male College Students Introduction The role of physical activity on various health parameters has been well established. There is strong evidence that regular physical activity reduces the risk of various cardio-respiratory disorders. On the other hand physical inactivity has been related to the development of various diseases like diabetes, obesity and hypertension. Increased levels of physical activity may also attribute to a longer life span (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2008) (Joint Health Survey Unit, 1999). Planned exercise programs are beneficial for achieving and maintaining long term weight loss by increasing the energy expenditure and metabolization of fat leading to decreased risk of obesity. However the lean body mass (protein mass) is preserved and the Basal metabolic rate is increased. Regular physical activity has shown to preserve the optimum functions and structure of muscles, bones, joints and the cardiovascular system, leading to increased quality of life. This might attribute to improved co-ordination, strength, and reduced incidence of fall and fractures in older ages (Stredt et al, 2013) (Telama et al., 2009) (Twisk et al., 2000). Physical activity also has been associated with lesser incidences of depression and anxiety and leads to elevated mood and increased self esteem (Biddle & Asare, 2011). Further research indicated that almost 40% of deaths due to Coronary Heart Diseases were related to inadequate physical activity. Physical activity also has been shown to reduce the risk of developing Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, by increasing insulin sensitivity. Further the incidences of stroke, hypertension and thrombosis were shown to have reduced by adequate physical activity (Stredt et al, 2013) (Telama et al., 2009) (Twisk et al., 2000). Aim and Objectives of the Study The dissertation was carried out to assess, whether any degree of physical activity impact the physiological parameters in male college students or there is a need for a standardized and optimum physical activity regime to perceive the health benefits of physical activity. Methodology Sample Selection Various physiological and anthropometrical parameters were measured from male college students (Appendix- Excel Sheet attached) through standard protocol as per VLE. The subjects were selected on the basis of random sampling to reduce the chances of bias in our study. The inclusion criteria for our study were male college students in the age group of 19-24 years, non-smokers and must be involved in some level of physical activity. The exclusion criteria were male students aged below 19 years and above 24 years and smokers. We selected 18 male college students out of which 12 students (mean age 21 years and mean height 1.75) exhibited a mean Physical activity score of 6 and the other 6 (mean age of 19.6 years and mean height of 1.79m) students had a mean Physical Activity score of 3. The physical activity scores were assigned was as per the NASA-PAR criterion. Thus the experimental design projected two different levels of physical activity (treatment variables) for the assessment of the physiological variables. Both the experimental groups were standardized for height and age and there was no significant difference between the mean age and height of both the groups (p>0.05). The parameters that were assessed included Blood pressure (Systolic, Diastolic and Pulse pressures), Heart rate, Peak expiratory flow rates(PEFR), Body Mass Index, Blood sugar levels and the history of any diseases like diabetes or asthma. Hypothesis testing The hypothesis that we wanted to test in our study was –“Whether the level of physical activity, significantly changes the magnitude of physiological variables?”We performed “Independent Sample t tests” to find out whether the mean score of various physiological variables significantly differ from each other in different groups with varied levels/intensity of physical activity (Lehmann &Romanno, 2005). The null hypothesis will contend that there was no significant difference in mean scores with various levels of physical activity, if the p value for the “computed t” is more than the p value for “critical t”, which wasfixed at0.05 level of significance. This would mean, that more than 5 out of 100 observed differences in mean scores related to the physiological variables, have happened due to chance factors of random sampling and chance of random bias cannot be neglected. So it can be concluded that,any change in the level of physical activity does not impact the physiological variables (Lehmann &Romanno, 2005). On the other hand the alternative hypothesis will contend that there was significant difference in mean scores in physiological variables tested, with various levels of physical activity, if the p value for the “computed t” is less than the p value for “critical t”, which was fixed at0.05 level of significance. This would mean, that less than 5 out of 100 observed differences in mean scores, related to the physiological variables, have happened due to chance factors of random sampling, and the chance of random bias can be neglected. Thus it can be concluded that,any change in the level of physical activity does impact magnitude of the physiological variables (Lehmann &Romanno, 2005). Results The results were plotted according to the physical activity ratings of the two groups. The group which had a physical activity score of 6 was designated as (PA6), while the group which had a physical activity score of 3 was designated as (PA3). a. Effect of physical activity on Systolic Blood Pressure(SBP), Diastolic Blood Pressure(DBP) and Pulse Pressure (Difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure, designated as PP). Fig1: Indicates the difference is systolic, diastolic and pulse pressure in both the groups. It was noted that both the DBP and PP were significantly higher (p0.06). d. Impact on Blood Glucose Levels Fig 4: The blood glucose levels did not significantly differ in both the groups (p>0.05). e. Assessment of Nutritional status related to Body Mass Index( BMI) Fig 5: The BMI of both the groups also did not significantly differed from each other (p>0.05). Discussion and Conclusion From the present study it became evident that any level of physical activity might not attribute to the perceivable benefits of physical activity on the physiological and it will be an exaggeration to state that physical activity improves physiological parameters and decreases the chances of morbidity in all cases. Thus it would be very important to perform future studies in this aspect with various levels of physical activity as per the NASA-PER criterion. This would indicate as to what would be the optimum level of physical activity that a male college student should undertake as per the NASA-PER criterion to perceive the benefits of physical activity on health (Faigenbaum, 2000). However from the present study certain interesting points were evident. Though we found that the two chosen levels of physical activity do not impact systolic blood pressure but it does leads to increased pulse pressure in the (PA6) group which was statistically significant. This means increase in physical activity will lead to increased peripheral circulation and a subject would be better suited to extract oxygen from the blood for the generation of ATP production. Further the study also reflected that merely involvement in physical activity may help in maintaining the BMI within normal limits (19.5-24.9) and decrease the chances of obesity. The blood glucose levels were also under normal limits in both the groups suggesting involvement in minimal physical activity helps to keep blood glucose under normal limits. This may take place owing to the increase in insulin sensitivity as reported in literature. To conclude, some degree of physical activity should be incorporated in daily routine of every male individual college students to maintain their quality of life. However to extrapolate the exact benefits of physical activity in reducing cardiovascular morbidities, and other improvements like changes in lung function (through increase in PEFR) must be performed at various levels of physical activity as per the NASA-PER criterion that would specify the optimum level of physical activity required in these individuals to perceive benefits in cardiovascular and respiratory parameters. References BIDDLE, S., H., &ASARE, M. 2011. Physical activity and mental healthin children and Adolescents: A review of reviews. British journal of sports medicine; 45:886-95. FAIGENBAUM, A., D.2000. Strength training for children andadolescents. Pediatric and Adolescent sports injuries; 19(4):593-619. JOINT HEALTH SURVEY UNIT.1999. Health Survey for England:Cardiovascular Disease 1998.The Stationery Office. LEHMANN, E, .L.& ROMANO, J. 2005. Testing Statistical Hypotheses (3E Ed.). New York: Springer. ISBN 0-387-98864-5 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.2008. Promoting physical activity for children:Family andcommunity. Review 7. STREDT, E., LIERSCH, S.,& WALTER, U. 2013.Correlates of physicalactivity of children And adolescents: A systematicreview of reviews. Health Education Journal. TELAMA, R. 2009.Tracking of physical activity from childhoodto adulthood: A review. Obes Facts;2(1662-4025; 1662-4025; 3):187-95. TWISK, J., W., KEMPER, H.,C., &VAN MECHELEN, W.2000.Tracking ofphysical Activity and fitness and the relationship withcardiovascular disease risk factors. Med Sci SportsExerc;32:1455-61. Read More