E-ISSN 1658-8223 | ISSN 1658-645X
 

Original Article 


Gender Differences, Body Mass Index (BMI), and their Impact on Balance and Muscle Strength in School-Aged Children

Asma Alonazi, Reema Alsulaiman, Hailah Alfaisal, Danah Alyahya.


Abstract
Background and Aims:
Balance is essential for daily activities and is influenced by various factors, including gender, body mass index (BMI), and weight status. This study investigates the relationships between gender, BMI, static and dynamic balance, and evaluates the impact of weight status on muscle strength in school-aged children.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in primary schools in Al-Majmaah province, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, involving 86 girls and 80 boys aged 7 to 9 years. Static balance was assessed using the Single-Leg Stance (SLS) test, dynamic balance using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and muscle strength using a handheld dynamometer for quadriceps and hamstring muscles.
Result:
The boys demonstrated significantly better dynamic balance performance on the TUG test compared to girls (p < 0.001), indicating faster movement control and coordination. In contrast, static balance, measured by the SLS test showed no significant gender difference (p = 0.13), suggesting comparable postural stability between boys and girls. Boys demonstrated greater quadriceps and hamstring strength compared to girls (p < 0.001). Weak to moderate positive correlations were identified between BMI and muscle strength in both genders.
Conclusion:
The findings highlight notable gender differences in dynamic balance and muscle strength, while static balance remains comparable between genders. The positive correlation between BMI and muscle strength underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for optimal physical development in children.

Key words: Gender; BMI; Obesity; Balance; Muscle Strength; Children


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Alonazi A, Alsulaiman R, Alfaisal H, Alyahya D. Gender Differences, Body Mass Index (BMI), and their Impact on Balance and Muscle Strength in School-Aged Children. Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2026; 14(3): 1-13. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.03.002


Web Style

Alonazi A, Alsulaiman R, Alfaisal H, Alyahya D. Gender Differences, Body Mass Index (BMI), and their Impact on Balance and Muscle Strength in School-Aged Children. https://www.mjhs-mu.org/?mno=253713 [Access: July 01, 2026]. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.03.002


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alonazi A, Alsulaiman R, Alfaisal H, Alyahya D. Gender Differences, Body Mass Index (BMI), and their Impact on Balance and Muscle Strength in School-Aged Children. Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2026; 14(3): 1-13. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.03.002



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alonazi A, Alsulaiman R, Alfaisal H, Alyahya D. Gender Differences, Body Mass Index (BMI), and their Impact on Balance and Muscle Strength in School-Aged Children. Majmaah J Heal Sci. (2026), [cited July 01, 2026]; 14(3): 1-13. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.03.002



Harvard Style

Alonazi, A., Alsulaiman, . R., Alfaisal, . H. & Alyahya, . D. (2026) Gender Differences, Body Mass Index (BMI), and their Impact on Balance and Muscle Strength in School-Aged Children. Majmaah J Heal Sci, 14 (3), 1-13. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.03.002



Turabian Style

Alonazi, Asma, Reema Alsulaiman, Hailah Alfaisal, and Danah Alyahya. 2026. Gender Differences, Body Mass Index (BMI), and their Impact on Balance and Muscle Strength in School-Aged Children. Majmaah Journal of Health Sciences, 14 (3), 1-13. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.03.002



Chicago Style

Alonazi, Asma, Reema Alsulaiman, Hailah Alfaisal, and Danah Alyahya. "Gender Differences, Body Mass Index (BMI), and their Impact on Balance and Muscle Strength in School-Aged Children." Majmaah Journal of Health Sciences 14 (2026), 1-13. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.03.002



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alonazi, Asma, Reema Alsulaiman, Hailah Alfaisal, and Danah Alyahya. "Gender Differences, Body Mass Index (BMI), and their Impact on Balance and Muscle Strength in School-Aged Children." Majmaah Journal of Health Sciences 14.3 (2026), 1-13. Print. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.03.002



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alonazi, A., Alsulaiman, . R., Alfaisal, . H. & Alyahya, . D. (2026) Gender Differences, Body Mass Index (BMI), and their Impact on Balance and Muscle Strength in School-Aged Children. Majmaah Journal of Health Sciences, 14 (3), 1-13. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2026.03.002





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