2020, Volume 16, Issue 1
Sex differences in anthropometric characteristics and a decrease in power during the 3-minute Burpee test: a relative assessment
Robert Podstawski1, Krzysztof Borysławski2, Jarosław Klimczak1, Ferenc Ihasz3, Piotr Żurek4
1Department of Tourism, Recreation and Ecology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
2Department of Anthropology, Wrocław University of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
3Faculty of Psychology and Pedagogy, Eötvös Lóránd University, Szombathely, Hungary
4Department of Physical Education in Gorzow Wielkopolski, Poznan University of Physical Education, Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland
Author for correspondence: Robert Podstawski; Department of Tourism, Recreation and Ecology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland; email: podstawskirobert@gmail.com
Full text
Abstract
Background &Study Aim: Anaerobic capacity is defined by the power generated during short-term exercise performed at the maximum intensity or the total work performed during the test. Most tests involve rowing ergometer training, stair climbing tests and repetitive jump tests on a dynamographic platform. The aim of the study was knowledge about sex differences in anthropometric traits, motor performance, and a decrease in power among university students performing extremely strenuous exercise during the 3-Minute Burpee Test (3-MBT).
Material &Methods: The study involved 163 men and 196 women aged 19-22 (mean age 20.4 ±0.67 and 20.4 ±0.65 years, respectively) characterized by moderate levels of physical activity (mean: 1148 and 998 METs, respectively). The participants’ body mass and height were measured, and the results were used to calculate their BMI scores. Endurance-strength abilities were evaluated during the 3-MBT. Sex differences in anthropometric characteristics and motor performance were examined by calculating the sexual dimorphism (SDIndex) indicator.
Results: The values of anthropometric traits were significantly (p<0.001) higher in men than in women. The number of cycles completed by both sexes decreased significantly in successive minutes of the 3-MBT, but motor performance levels were higher (p<0.001) in men than in women (55.0 ±10.97 vs 46.7 ±9.39 cycles/ min) in all cases. Sexual dimorphism in endurance-strength abilities was most pronounced in the second minute (SDIndex = 7.8) and least pronounced in the first minute of the test (SDIndex = 5.9). The decrease in power was greater in women (14.0%) than in men (12.3%).
Conclusions: Men are characterized by significantly higher values of anthropometric characteristics and endurance-strength abilities than women. In extremely strenuous exercise performed by persons with moderate levels of physical activity (PA), the deascrease in power is significantly greater in women than in men. These observations suggest the PA levels of female and male participants should be examined in greater detail before evaluations of sexual dimorphism in power generation and power decline during the 3-MBT.
Key words: university students, motor performance, men, maximal power, load, extreme efforts, women
