Muscular Strength of Upper and Lower Limbs and Self-Esteem in Chilean SchoolChildren: Independent Associations with Body Composition Indicators

Cristian Cofre Bolados, Gerson Ferrari, Mónica Suárez-Reyes, Daiana Quintiliano Scarpelli Dourado, Helen Diaz-Peña and Tito Pizarro
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Cristian Cofre Bolados: Laboratorio de Ciencias de la Actividad Física, el Deporte, y la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, USACH, Santiago 7500618, Chile
Gerson Ferrari: Laboratorio de Ciencias de la Actividad Física, el Deporte, y la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, USACH, Santiago 7500618, Chile
Mónica Suárez-Reyes: Laboratorio de Ciencias de la Actividad Física, el Deporte, y la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, USACH, Santiago 7500618, Chile
Daiana Quintiliano Scarpelli Dourado: Carrera de Nutrición y Dietética, Facultad de Medicina-Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7610658, Chile
Helen Diaz-Peña: Pediatric Oncology Department, Clínica Dávila, Santiago 8431657, Chile
Tito Pizarro: Laboratorio de Ciencias de la Actividad Física, el Deporte, y la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, USACH, Santiago 7500618, Chile

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 2, 1-9

Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between muscular strength from upper and lower limbs with self-esteem among Chilean schoolchildren, drawing independent associations with body composition indicators. The sample consisted of 1078 schoolchildren. The muscular strength of the upper and lower limbs was evaluated using a digital dynamometer and long jump performance. The general strength index was calculated based on Z-score values. Rosenberg’s test was used to determine the level of self-esteem of participants. Body fat and body mass index were employed as body composition indicators. Boys had significantly more upper and lower strength, and a general strength index higher than girls (11.7 vs. 10.6; 109.7 vs. 97.4; 0.19 vs. −0.24, respectively). For boys and girls combined, there were no significant associations between all muscular strength variables and self-esteem. In boys, upper and lower limb strength was positively associated with self-esteem. In girls, no association between muscular strength and self-esteem was found. In both sexes, the general strength index was not associated with self-esteem. Strategies and programs that promote mental health and muscular strength among schoolchildren, specifically in boys, are needed.

Keywords: muscular strength; self-esteem; body mass index; body fat (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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