Applicability of the Body Mass Index and Weight Index in young athletes participating in the University selection of Chile

Abstract

Introduction: To compare the anthropometric profile of four sports modalities and verify the applicability of the Body Mass Index and Weight Index of university students participating in the university selections of Chile. Methodology: A descriptive (comparative-correlational) study was carried out. Sixty-six university athletes from Chile (37 men and 29 women) with an age range between 18 and 28 years were studied. The sports included were: Basketball, Volleyball, Taekwondo and Judo. Weight and height were evaluated. The Body Mass Index (BMI = Weight [kg]/height2 [m]) and the Weight Index (IP = Weight [kg]/height3 [m]) were calculated. Results: There were anthropometric differences in the four sports modalities and in both sexes. The weight influences the BMI in men (R2 = 55%) and in women (R2 = 76%), while in the IP, weight and height influence men (R2 = 15 and 14%) and weight in women (R2 = 44%). Conclusion: Anthropometric differences were observed in university athletes of basketball, volleyball, Taekwondo and judo of both sexes, besides the IP allowed correcting the variations of the weight and stature in relation to the BMI.