Prevalence of physical fitness in Chinese school-aged children: Findings from the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China—The Youth Study

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social communication deficits and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities. Literature comparing the physical activity and fitness of children with ASD to typically developing peers is in need of attention. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the physical activity and fitness of school-aged children with ASD (N=17) in comparison to typically developing peers (N=12). Participants with ASD completed diagnostic and developmental assessments and a series of physical fitness assessments: 20-meter multistage shuttle, sit-and-reach test, handgrip strength, and body mass index. Physical activity was measured using accelerometry and preestablished cut-points of physical activity (Freedson et al., 2005). MANCOVA revealed significant between-group effects in strength (P=.03), while ANCOVA revealed significant between-group effects in sedentary (P=.00), light (P=.00), moderate (P=.00), and total moderate-to-vigorous (P=.01) physical activity. Children with ASD are less physically active and fit than typically developing peers. Adapted physical activity programs are one avenue with intervention potential to combat these lower levels of physical activity and fitness found in children with ASD.

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Returning Chinese school-aged children and adolescents to physical activity in the wake of COVID-19: Actions and precautions

Journal of Sport and Health Science ◽

10.1016/j.jshs.2020.04.003 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 322-324 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Peijie Chen ◽

Lijuan Mao ◽

George P. Nassis ◽

Peter Harmer ◽

Barbara E. Ainsworth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Chinese School

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Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Health-Related Quality of Life in School-Aged Children

Journal of Teaching in Physical Education ◽

10.1123/jtpe.2015-0110 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 117-126 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Xiangli Gu ◽

Mei Chang ◽

Melinda A. Solmon

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Mental Function ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Fitness And Health

Purpose:This study examined the association between physical activity (PA), physical fitness, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among school-aged children.Methods:Participants were 201 children (91 boys, 110 girls; Mage = 9.82) enrolled in one school in the southern US. Students’ PA (self-reported PA, pedometer-based PA) and physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness, flexibility, and body composition) were assessed in the fall. The PedsQL4.0 (Varni et al., 2001) was used to assess participants’ HRQOL (physical and mental function) in the spring.Results:PA and four components of physical fitness were positively associated with physical and mental function. Path analyses suggested physical fitness mediated the relationship between self-reported PA and HRQOL (95% CI: [.53, 1.48]), as well as between pedometer-based PA and HRQOL (95% CI: [.54, 1.53]).Discussion:Results support the conclusion that enhancing children’s physical fitness can facilitate positive outcomes including improved health related quality of life.

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