Physical Characteristics and Maximal Aerobic Power of the Tribetan Immigrants Living in Suburban District of Nepal

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the physical characteristics and maximal aerobic power in the Tibetan immigrants living in the suburban district of Nepal. The subjects of this survey were 242 males and 306 females, aged 20 to 79 years old. Measurement for physique was carried out on the body height, body weight and skinfold thickness (triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, umbilical). The percentage body fat(%Fat) was estimated from skinfold thickness, body weight and body surface area by the equation of Nagamine. Maximal aerobic power(MAP) was estimated by Margaria\u27s method. The mean height of the Tibetan immigrants was higher than those of Nepalese groups living in suburban and rural districts in both sexes. The mean body weight, skinfold thickness at any measured points and %Fat of the Tibetan immigrants in every age group and both sexes were also significantly higher than those of other Nepalese groups. The intakes of energy per day were significantly lower in the Tibetan immigrants than in the suburban and rural groups. In female, no significant differences in the mean MAP were found between the Tibetan immigrants and other Nepalese groups. In male, the mean MAPs of the Tibetan immigrant were almost the same level as those of the suburban group of the Nepalese in all age groups, but significantly lower than those of the rural group. These results suggest that fatty body composition and lower physical fitness of the Tibetan immigrant may be due to their physically inactive life style