Changes in body weight and body composition during student exam period

Abstract

Most faculties at the University of Ljubljana support sport and recreation for students in various ways. At the Faculty of computer and information science and at the Faculty of chemistry and chemical technology we offer students the course "Sports Education". The course is running in the winter and summer semesters. During the exam period, students do not have the opportunity to be involved in organized sport activities from the faculty. We decided to investigate whether the students kept the habit of joining sport activity during that period and whether there were changes in body weight and body composition. Methods: We measured body weight and body composition, which included the muscle mass weight and percentage in fat mass. We used Tanita RD545 and a survey questionnaire for measurement. The first test was performed in the last week of the winter semester and the second in the first week of the summer semester, while the exam period lasts four weeks. Results: In the short period of four weeks, the students on average increased their body weight by 0.48 kg (range: min=-2.3kg, max=3.7kg), muscle mass by 0.11 (range max=-4.25kg, max =3.15kg), percentage in fat mass 0.22% (range max=-4.4%, min=3.3%). In the questionnaire, the students assessed that they were less physically active during the exam period. The results showed changes in body weight and body composition occurred in a relatively short period. The reason for this is probably less physical activity.