COMPARISON OF DAILY ENERGY EXPENDITURE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS of FEMALE ATHLETES AND SEDENTARS

The purpose of this study is to investigate the daily energy expenditure and physical activity levels of female athletes and sedentary females. A total of 23 adult females; 3 triathletes, 5 rock climbers, 7 workers, 8 housewives (average age 35.30±8.53 yrs; height 160.57±5.53 cm; body mass 58.23±8.53 kg; body mass index (BMI) 22.62±3.37 kg/m^2) voluntarily participated in this study. Primarily, body mass index was determined and following this process, daily physical activity levels were measured continuously with an armband worn on the dominant arm triceps muscle for two days. In addition, total energy expenditure, active energy expenditure, average MET, total step number, duration of physical activity in moderate, vigorous and very vigorous intensity, time spent sedentary, lying and sleeping were measured. The results demonstrated that total energy expenditure and physical activity duration were found higher in physically active groups (triathletes and climbers). However, their spent time as a sedentary was lower than the others. Furthermore, there were not any significant differences between the durations of vigorous (6-9 MET) and very vigorous intensity ( 9 MET) physical activity, and lying and sleeping durations among groups. However, there was a significant difference between some parameters which is related to energy expenditure, physical activity duration and physiological characteristics such as BMI, age, weight, height. In conclusion; this study revealed that there was a strong correlation between daily energy expenditure and physical activity levels. When thinking about positive contribution of exercise to human health, working women and housewives should do regular physical activity in their daily lives.