A comparative study of the physical performance capacity of rural and urban Burmese women aged 19-24 years.

A comparative study of the physical performance capacity of 32 Burmese women aged 19-24 years of the rural and urban area was conducted. Difference in physique was found between the two groups. Maximal oxygen uptake of the rural group was 39.21 ml/kg/min and that of the urban group was 32.32 ml/kg/min, the difference being significant at 0.1% level. Maximal oxygen pulse and maximal work load were significant only at 2% and 5% levels respectively. Though maximal ventilation in the rural group had a higher mean value it was not significant. These showed a higher cardiorespiratory fitness in the rural group, which was attributable to their high work intensity of 55.13% of the maximal aerobic power. However, a positive training effect of habitual physical activity on muscle strength could not be observed in this study.