RELATIONSHIP OF PHYSICAL FITNESS WITH VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL CREATIVITY IN FEMALE ADOLESCENTS BELONGING TO DIFFERENT SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS OF KOLKATA, INDIA

Abstract

Anecdotal literature has suggested creative individuals sometimes use kinaesthetic movement to help overcome constrains to their creative thoughts. Based on anecdotal records, the present cross-sectional study was aimed not only to evaluate the physical fitness status, verbal and non-verbal modes of creative thinking in adolescent females belonging to low, medium and high socioeconomic strata in Kolkata, India, but also to explore the association of physical fitness with verbal and non verbal creativity in this population. The study was conducted on one hundred and thirty-one (131) female adolescent participants studied at XIth standard in some Kolkata-based schools of West Bengal, India. The study evaluated the relationship of physical fitness with verbal and non-verbal creativity. Different parameters of physical fitness and verbal and non-verbal creativity were assessed by standard methods. Results revealed students of the high socioeconomic group had the highest score in non-verbal creativity. The low socioeconomic group had the highest score in verbal creativity. Physical fitness parameters such as maximum oxygen uptake capacity (VO_2max) or muscular flexibility had a significant positive correlation with non-verbal creativity. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), body surface area (BSA), mid-thigh skinfold and abdominal skinfold showed significant negative correlations with the non-verbal originality. VO_2max, agility and flexibility showed a positive correlation with the composite score of non-verbal creativity. The study recommended some means to achieve physical fitness which in turn might lead to better achievement of verbal and non-verbal creative abilities in the studied population.