ABSTRACT
Background of the study: Body somatotype has become a topic of interest as it relates to body composition. Despite body somatotype being a well-known topic, there is however, limited understanding on the relationship between body somatotype and each of physical activity and physical fitness level of clinical undergraduates of the University of Benin.
Aim(s): This study aimed to determine the relationship between body somatotype and each of physical activity and physical fitness level amongst clinical undergraduates of the University of Benin.
Methodology: A cross sectional study design of 256 individuals participated in this study. Measuring tools such as the liangjin measuring tape, mechanical weighing scale and life care centers of America retractable body measuring tape were used to assess the height (m), weight (kg) and waist and hip circumference (m) of the respondents respectively. Physical activity, physical fitness and body somatotype were assessed with the aid of the International physical activity questionnaire–short form (IPAQ-SF), International fitness scale (IFIS) and Self-generated body somatotype questionnaire respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Level of significance was at p<0.05.
Results: The findings of the study showed that mesomorph body somatotype was the most prevalent body somatotype among clinical undergraduates with a percentage of 53.5%. There was high level of physical inactivity (41.0%) and 48% had good level of physical fitness. There was a significant association between being mesomorphic and physically inactive (χ2 = 58.00, p= 0.032) and also a significant association between being mesomorphic and minimally active (χ2=1.043, p=0.054). It was revealed that being mesomorph-ectomorph has a significant association with poor physical fitness levels (χ2=3.311, p=0.001). The results also showed a significant difference across gender and body somatotype. The ectomorphic body type had a significant difference with both male and female gender (χ2=0.164, p=0.000).
Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that mesomorphic body somatotype, low physical activity levels and good physical fitness levels are predominant among clinical undergraduates. There was a significant influence on the physical activity and physical fitness levels of clinical undergraduates.
Keywords: Body somatotype, Physical activity, Physical fitness.
