Effect of Obesity on Lower-Limb motor performance in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study | ||
| Benha International Journal of Physical Therapy | ||
| Volume 3, Issue 2, December 2025, Pages 294-302 PDF (1.08 M) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/bijpt.2025.424155.1118 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Taher Salah taha* 1; Ibrahim Abdelhakim2; Tarek Elsayed Kamal3; Altaher Mohamed Abdelhamed4; Osama yassin Abbas5 | ||
| 1lecturer of physical therapy, Faculty of physical therapy, may University. fellow of physical therapy, National Heart Institute, General Organization for teaching Hospital and Institutes | ||
| 2Lecturer of pediatric physical therapy Modern University for Technology &Informatin (MTI ). Consultant pediatric physical therapist . National institute For Neuromotor System. | ||
| 3lecturer of Internal Medicine physical therapy, faculty of physical therapy, Sphinx university | ||
| 4lecturer of physical therapy for surgery, badr university in assuit | ||
| 5lecturer of pediatric physical therapy department,Faculty of physical therapy,Sphinx university,Assuit, Egypt . | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Adolescent obesity is an escalating public health concern in Egypt, with prevalence exceeding one-third when overweight is included. Excess adiposity may compromise lower-limb strength, endurance, and motor competence, thereby reinforcing inactivity and long-term health risks. Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of obesity on lower-limb motor performance in late-adolescent students using functional field assessments. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 160 students (128 males, 32 females; aged 17–19 years) from Sphinx University. Participants were stratified by body mass index (BMI) into normal, overweight, and obese groups. Anthropometric measures were recorded, and functional capacity was evaluated using the 30-second sit to-stand (STS) test and pedometer-measured step counts during a standardized 30-m walk. Group differences were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc tests, and correlations were assessed with Pearson’s coefficient. Results: Obese students exhibited significantly lower STS repetitions (26.4 ± 6.3) and fewer walking steps (42.1 ± 4.3) than normal-weight peers (32.3 ± 6.1 and 48.1 ± 3.9, respectively; p < 0.001). BMI showed negative correlations with both STS performance (r = −0.34, p < 0.01) and walking steps (r = −0.43, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Higher BMI is associated with poorer functional performance and less efficient ambulation in late-adolescent Egyptian students. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Adolescent Obesity; Egypt; Motor Performance; Physical Activity; Sit-To Stand | ||
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