Impact of Physical Activities on the Physical Constitution of Female Farmers, Cyclists, and Traders in Makoua, Republic of Congo
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: Physical activity is an important determinant of health at all stages of life, but remains a modifiable behavior. Increasingly, fortifying people to exercise is an investment in human capital that can generate multiple benefits, both for individuals and for communities. Aim/Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of physical activity on the body transformation of female farmercyclists and shopkeepers. Method: The study involved 63 participants divided into two groups: 31 female farmer-cyclists and 32 female traders from Makoua’s main market. Participants underwent an experiment assessing height, weight, body mass index and physical constitution variables before and after a 16-week period. Results: Revealed an exponential difference in anthropometric and physical constitution variables in favour of farmer-cyclists, particularly in terms of weight, total fat mass and visceral fat mass. However, data relating to muscle mass and physical capacity were also in favour of farmer-cyclists. Conclusion: Our results show that traders are more exposed to metabolic diseases. They should combine their commercial activities with physical activity, particularly cycling, to improve their body composition.
Institution: Marien Ngouabi University
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408620989