Influence of Height and BMI on Weight Bearing of Male and Female Individuals at Two Levels of Human Immersion- A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: The study determined the gender difference in body weight bearing at anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and xiphisternum levels of human immersion in relation to BMI and height. Methods: Apparently healthy undergraduates (96 males; 97 females) participated in this study. Their body weights were measured on land in erect standing using water-proof weighing scale. The procedure was repeated in water while immersed at ASIS and xiphisternum. Percentage weight bearing (PWB) and body mass index (BMI) were determined from the scores obtained. Inferential analysis included two sample t-test and linear multiple regression at p<0.05. Results: The mean age of the participants was 22.4years. The body weight and height were significantly higher (p<0.05) for male than the female participants. The PWB for male participants was significantly higher (p<0.001) than in the female participant at ASIS (54.8±0.1 vs 47.7±0.1), and at xiphisternum (31.2±0.1 vs 25.5±0.1) levels respectively. Male participants’ PWB was directly correlated with their height (β= 0.26; p=0.011) whilst the female participants' PWB had indirect correlation with BMI (β= -0.38; p<0.001) at xiphisternum level. Conclusion: Male participants experienced higher PWB than their female peers at both immersion levels in this study. The gender difference was influenced by their height and BMI at xiphisternum level only.