Anthropometric characteristics and VO₂ max of urban tribal and non-tribal boys of Tripura

Anthropometry is the single most portable, systemized technique, universally applicable, inexpensive, and noninvasive method available to assess the proportions, size, and composition of the human body. Maximum oxygen uptake (VO₂ max) is internationally accepted parameter to evaluate the cardiorespiratory fitness. But determination of VO₂ max is restricted within well equipped laboratory because of its exhausting, hazardous and complicated experimental protocol. The tests were carried out in 300 urban tribal boys (150 pre-pubertal tribal and 150 post-pubertal boys) and 300 urban non-tribal boys (150 pre-pubertal and 150 post-pubertal boys). Anthropometric characteristics including height, weight, body circumferences, bone widths, body fat%, TST, mesomorphy and cardiorespiratory fitness include VO₂ max which were all measured by standard procedures. The independent samples t-test revealed that non-tribal boys had found significantly higher height (p<0.01), weight (p<0.01), skinfold measurements and body fat % (p<0.01) as compared to tribal boys. Thus, non-tribal boys were found taller and heavier. On the other hand, the tribal boy also showed significantly greater circumferences, bone widths, mesomorphic component and VO₂ max (p<0.01) as compared to non-tribal boys. which may be due to lean body weight and greater body size in them. The high body fat % of non-tribal boys can also lead to reduced cardiorespiratory fitness.