Affiliations: Department of Physical Education, Jadavpur
University, Kolkata - 700032, India | Department of Physiology, Nepalgunj Medical College,
Chisapani, Banke, Nepal | Department of Physiology, S.R. College of Dental
Sciences & Research, Faridabad, India | Department of Physiology, Sports & Exercise
Physiology Laboratory, University of Calcutta, Kolkata - 700009, India | Department of Home Science, University of Calcutta,
Kolkata - 700027, India
Abstract: The present study was carried out with an objective to find out
relationship between nutritional status and physical fitness level of junior
sportspersons, age ranging between 14 and 16 years, in two different ambient
air pollutant zones in West Bengal, India. The sample consisted of 50 sprinters
(trained boys) (25 from Kolkata and 25 from Sonarpur) and 80 untrained boys (40
from Kolkata and 40 from Sonarpur) of West Bengal. Ambient air quality of two
zones was monitored. Air pollutants' levels were higher in Kolkata
than Sonarpur. The physical fitness parameters included agility, leg muscle
power, speed and handgrip strength. Nutritional status was measured by oral
questionnaire method and nutritive values (energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat,
vitamin C, β-carotene, vitamin B_1) were calculated. Result revealed that
physical fitness parameters were significantly higher in both sprinters and
untrained boys of Sonarpur than Kolkata. No significant difference was observed
in energy, carbohydrate, protein and fat intake between the groups. But vitamin
C, β-carotene and vitamin B_1 intake showed significant higher values in both
sprinters and untrained boys of Sonarpur. It was concluded that environmental
air pollutants have adverse effect on physical fitness components and higher
intake of vitamins helped both sprinters and untrained boys of Sonarpur to
improve the performance level against the impact of air pollution.
Keywords: Air pollution, physical fitness, nutritional status, boys
