Anemia Predicts Physical Fitness Among Adolescent Athletes in Ghana.

ADOLESCENCE; MUSCLE strength; SOCCER teams; PHYSICAL fitness; GRIP strength; TEENAGE girls

Background: Anemia indicates low blood hemoglobin levels and has become a public health problem among adolescents in developing countries. The prevalence among adolescent athletes and its effect on physical fitness has not been studied in Ghana. The study aimed to assess the impact of anemia on physical fitness among adolescent athletes in Ghana. Methodology: The sample of 194 adolescent athletes was randomly recruited from competitive athletic groups, boxing, and football clubs in Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Volta regions of Ghana. Anthropometric parameters and Hemoglobin concentration were measured. Physical fitness was assessed using, right and left‐hand grip strength, reaction time, flexibility, and the Cooper‐12‐min run test, all following standard procedure. Results: The adolescent athletes of mean age (15.8 ± 2.5 yrs) and weight (54.0 ± 12.8 kg) were mostly of normal weight‐for‐age and height. The overall prevalence of anemia among the adolescent athletes was 14.3%. Anemia was however, more common among early adolescents (20.7%). The average hemoglobin level was lowest among the early adolescents (12.8 ± 1.1 g/dl), however, there was no association between anemia and the adolescent age group (X2 = 2.112 p = 0.348). Although the proportions of anemic males and females were similar (14.3%), the mean hemoglobin levels were significantly higher among males (13.6 ± 1.5 g/dl) than females (12.5 ± 1.2 g/dl). There was an association between hemoglobin and cardiorespiratory endurance (r = 0.324, p = 0.005), hand grip strength as well as relative handgrip strength (r = 0.379, p = 0.001). Hemoglobin significantly predicted 10.5% of the variation in cardiorespiratory endurance (R2 = 0.105, b = 0.623, p = 0.005) of the athletes. Conclusion: Hemoglobin levels could predict the cardiorespiratory endurance and muscular strength of adolescent athletes. Anemia is a public health problem among adolescent athletes and must be given the needed attention to make these athletes competitive and win laurels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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