Relationship between body fat percentage and muscle mass in Ecuadorian university students: a cross-sectional study
Keywords:
body composition, body fat, muscle mass, college students, physical activity.Abstract
Controlling body fat percentage is a fundamental component for maintaining overall health and well-being. However, this aspect is often neglected by university students due to their academic load. In programs related to physical activity, the curriculum includes theoretical and practical courses that promote regular physical activity, benefiting students’ body composition. However, at higher education levels, the reduction in practical courses leads to a reduction in the frequency of physical exercise. This study aims to establish the relationship between body fat percentage and muscle mass in students from the Faculty of Physical Education at the Central University of Ecuador. A quantitative study was conducted with a correlational approach and a non-experimental cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 80 students (31 women and 57 men), with an average age of 19 ± 2.5 years. The results show an inverse relationship between the percentage of body fat and muscle mass, evidenced by a negative slope in the linear regression model (−0.45). The obtained equation (y = −0.45x + 52.95) indicates that the higher the percentage of body fat, the lower the percentage of muscle mass. It is concluded that the findings show a significant inverse relationship between the percentage of body fat and muscle mass in university students, which demonstrates the need to promote active and healthy lifestyle habits, especially in the last semesters, where the practical load decreases considerably.
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