Evaluation of the Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test with 10- to 15-Year-Old Children

2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 300-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne W. Garcia ◽  
Jennifer S. Zakrajsek

The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of the Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (CAFT), a field measure of cardiovascular fitness. After providing anthropometric measures, 31 subjects, ages 10 to 15, completed a maximal treadmill test and the CAFT, a 3-stage step test. Multiple regression analyses were conducted where maximal oxygen consumption from the treadmill test was estimated based on the oxygen cost of stepping, age and various combinations of body composition. For the total sample, the best model (R = 0.79, SEE = 6.7), obtained from the sum of 4 skinfolds, was the body composition estimate. This model was slightly more accurate for males (R = 0.83, SEE = 6.0) than for females (R = 0.77, SEE = 7.0). When the regression equation incorporated less time consuming indicators of body composition, the predictive power, albeit lower, was still satisfactory. It appears that the CAFT can be a useful option for measuring cardiovascular fitness for youth, with the decision dependent on the purpose of the test, the testing resources, the setting, and the motivation of the subjects.

Author(s):  
Wagner Luis Ripka ◽  
Eduardo Esmanhoto ◽  
Leandra Ulbricht

Percentile indicators, aided in its development by biomedical engineering, relative to body fat distribution in adolescents are able to help health professionals in better diagnosing overweight and obesity. The aim of this study was to calculate percentile values to body fat in adolescents aged between 12 and 17 years from the Curitiba-PR and its metropolitan region composed of 29 municipalities, having as reference method the dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) technology. After applying inclusion criteria for the adolescents, anthropometric measures of body fat and stature were taken, as well as evaluation of the body composition through DXA. The statistical analysis was grounded in the presentation of percentilic values developed by Cole and Green’s LMS method, where L stands for the skewness curve, M for the mean curve and S for the variance curve. In total, 390 boys were evaluated. The fat percentage values tend to show a decrease between the ages of 12 (22.8±5.1%) and 16 years (17.9±2.9%). Moreover, for the superior percentiles: 90th and 97th re-start to increase at the age of 17 after showing a decrease in the previous years. The L, M and S parameters, altogether with the percentiles created to evaluate body fat are interesting tools to tendency and evolution analyses, as well as to enable inferences to be made about the body composition of adolescents.


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 85-92
Author(s):  
Jasmina Pluncevikj Gligoroska ◽  
Sanja Manchevska ◽  
Ljudmila Efremova ◽  
Lidija Todorovska ◽  
Slobodan Nikolic

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between active and passive body mass components and maximal aerobic consumption (VO2max) in adult male soccer players.Methods: The study involved seven hundred (700) male soccer players, mean age 25.06 ± 4.41 years (range 18 to 35), divided in six age groups. Body composition was assessed according the anthropometric protocol by Matiegka, and relative muscle mass (MM%), bone (BM%) and fat (BF%)  and absolute muscle mass (MMkg), bone (BMkg) and fat (BFkg) components were calculated. The Bruce protocol (incremental multistage treadmill test) was used for the estimation of maximal oxygen consumption.Results: Mean values of body mass components for total sample were as follows: muscle mass (MM%)= 52.75 ± 2.63%, bone mass (BM%)=16.63 ± 1.29% and body fat (BF%)=14.12 ± 1.54%.  Mean VO2max was 48.89±5.17 ml/kg/minute. Relative muscle mass (MM%) showed similar values across age different groups (ANOVA: F=2.174; p=0.06) while absolute muscle mass (MMkg) showed tendency of increment with age (ANOVA: F=2.136; p=0.01). Body fat (BFkg and BF%) was statistically higher in the older groups (ANOVA F=3.737; p<0.01; ANOVA F=4.117; p<0.01). Weak positive correlation between VO2 max and muscle component (r=0.243; p<0.001) and a weak negative correlation between VO2max and body fat (r=-0.08;p<0.05) were found.Conclusions: Our results confirm the assumption that subjects with larger muscle mass have greater endurance and higher maximal oxygen consumption compared to subjects with larger body fat component. 


Author(s):  
Stevo POPOVIC ◽  
Boris BANJEVIC ◽  
Bojan MASANOVIC ◽  
Dusko BJELICA

Background: The body composition and physical fitness of members of the army is always a relevant topic for research, since the level of defense and security of people and material goods in a specific territory in many ways depends on the level of ability of the army. However, members of the armed forces are a heterogeneous group, typified by different abilities, characteristics, but also everyday needs, and the trend of changing body composition and reducing physical fitness is a current issue that has not bypassed this population either. Therefore, this study aimed to determine possible differences in body composition indicators that could appear between members of the Army of Montenegro of different military specialties. Methods: The sample of respondents included 240 Montenegrin male soldiers (32.5yr±9.5), who were measured at the sports dispensaries within the barracks of Montenegrin Army around the country in the spring of 2020, was classified into eight numerically equal subsamples according to their military specialty. The sample of variables included five anthropometric measures, which were necessary to calculate two derived body composition indicators: Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body Fat Percentage (FAT %). Using the one-way ANOVA and Post Hoc test with Taki’s model, the variables were analyzed. Results: It was determined that the body composition of Montenegrin soldiers shows a certain peculiarity compared to other national military corps, while there are differences in body composition indicators between members of the Montenegrin Army of different military specialties. Conclusion: This fact dramatically strengthens the issues of Montenegrin distinctive regarding body composition, both in general terms and in terms of distinctive within specific professional vocations.  


Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Chavarrias ◽  
Jorge Carlos-Vivas ◽  
Daniel Collado-Mateo ◽  
Jorge Pérez-Gómez

Background and Objectives: Indoor cycling is one of the most practiced activities in fitness centers for most people regardless of their physical conditioning level. Several studies have analyzed the effect of indoor cycling on several parameters related to health, such as maximal oxygen consumption, blood pressure, body composition, as well as biochemical markers such as HDL or LDL. However, no study has synthesized all health benefits associated with the indoor cycling practice in the form of a systematic review and established guidelines or recommendations. Therefore, the aim of this manuscript was to conduct a systematic review of published studies about the benefits of indoor cycling training and to establish recommendations for coaches, researchers, and practitioners. Materials and Methods: The PRISMA guidelines were followed to conduct the current systematic review. A systematic search was performed to retrieve relevant published articles until January 2019 using the following keywords: ‘indoor cycling’, ‘indoor bicycle’, and ‘spinning exercise’. Information about participants, intervention, comparisons, outcomes, and study design (PICOS) was extracted. Results: A total of 300 studies were initially identified. After the revision process, 13 of them were included. The total sample size of the studies was 372 (306 women). Results revealed that indoor cycling may improve aerobic capacity, blood pressure, lipid profile, and body composition. These enhancements may be achieved as standalone intervention or combined with other physical exercises or diet. Conclusions: The combination of indoor cycling and diet is recommended to improve the lipid profile, lose weight, and reduce blood pressure. Furthermore, indoor cycling alone may also enhance aerobic capacity. Given the lack of randomized controlled trials, these conclusions should be taken with caution.


2019 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 184-191
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Kowalska ◽  
Marcin Fehlau ◽  
Maciej Cymerys ◽  
Przemysław Guzik

Running is undertaken for different reasons, including improvement or maintenance of health and fitness. Many tests are employed for the estimation of the fitness in runners. In this review, we describe five field tests (Cooper test, Conconi test, 6-Minute Walk Test, 20-meter Multistage Fitness Test, and Harvard Step Test) and one laboratory cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a treadmill. A properly selected fitness test may help to estimate or measure the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2), thresholds for the aerobic and anaerobic metabolism, or restitution after the exercise. Such information is used for planning the training process, monitoring the progress of physical fitness or predicting the target distance or speed during competitions. In patients with cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases, this information may help to plan the intensity of daily activity or physical rehabilitation. Testing physical fitness is challenging, however when made appropriately, it delivers valuable physiological and clinical information.


ISRN Obesity ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Héroux ◽  
V. Onywera ◽  
M. S. Tremblay ◽  
K. B. Adamo ◽  
J. Lopez Taylor ◽  
...  

Background. The physical activity transition is contributing to an increase in childhood obesity and a decrease in fitness worldwide. This study compared body composition and fitness measures in children from three countries and examined intercountry differences in the relationship between these variables. Methods. Participants consisted of 736 Canadian, 193 Mexican, and 179 Kenyan children aged 9–13 years. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, triceps skinfolds, aerobic fitness, and muscular fitness were measured. Linear regression was used to examine associations between variables. Results. The prevalence of obesity was the highest in Mexican children (9.2% boys, 8.4% girls) and the lowest in Kenyan children (0.9% boys, 2.8% girls). Aerobic fitness (VO2max in mL/kg/min) was the highest in Kenyan children (50.2 boys, 46.7 girls) and the lowest in Canadian children (41.3 boys, 38.3 girls). Aerobic fitness was negatively associated with body composition measures irrespective of country and sex. Mexican children with low aerobic fitness had higher body composition measures than Canadian and Kenyan children. Muscular fitness was not associated with the body composition measures in Kenyan children but was a weak positive correlate of BMI and waist circumference in Canadian and Mexican children. Conclusion. The current study provides some evidence to support the physical activity transition hypothesis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne A. Delextrat ◽  
Sarah Warner ◽  
Sarah Graham ◽  
Emma Neupert

Background:Although Zumba is practiced by millions of people worldwide, there is a paucity of research about its potential benefits. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Zumba on physiological and psychological outcomes in healthy women.Methods:Cardiovascular fitness, body composition, physical self-perception and psychological well-being were assessed before and immediately after 8 weeks of Zumba performed 3 times weekly (Zumba group, n = 22, age: 26.6 ± 5.4 years old; height: 165.8 ± 7.1 cm) or no intervention (control group, n = 22, age: 27.9 ± 6.0 years old; height: 164.7 ± 6.2 cm). All variables were analyzed by a 2-way (Group × Time) analysis of variance with repeated measures, and a Bonferroni post hoc test. Pearson correlation coefficient assessed the relationship between changes in anthropometric, physiological and psychological variables.Results:Zumba provided significant positive changes in maximal aerobic fitness (+3.6%), self-perception of physical strength (+16.3%) and muscular development (+18.6%), greater autonomy (+8.0%), and purpose in life (+4.4%). No significant changes were observed in the control group. In addition, some psychological changes were significantly correlated to body fat at baseline, and changes in fitness.Conclusions:These results highlight that Zumba is beneficial to improve fitness and well-being in healthy women, but does not change body composition.


1993 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris M. R. Weller ◽  
Scott G. Thomas ◽  
Paul N. Corey ◽  
Michael H. Cox

The purpose of the present study was to increase the accuracy of prediction of [Formula: see text] from the Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (CAFT) by modifying the protocol and developing a new equation. Males and females between the ages of 15 and 69 years (n = 129) were tested on four occasions. Each subject performed four submaximal step tests (modified CAFT protocol) and a maximal treadmill test. The modification of the protocol consisted of allowing each subject to complete the number of stages needed to reach a target heart rate of 85% of age-predicted maximum. This required adding a new Stage 8 for men and Stages 7 and 8 for women. The prediction equation resulting from regression analysis was, [Formula: see text] (ml∙kg−1∙min−1) = 32.0 + 16.0 [Formula: see text] Age − 0.17 Wt (R2 − 0.77; δ2 − 26.6), where [Formula: see text] = oxygen cost of stepping at the final level (L∙min−1), Age = age (yrs), and Wt = body mass (kg). Key words: exercise test, oxygen consumption, predictive value of tests, physical fitness, epidemiologic methods


1995 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris M. R. Weller ◽  
Scott G. Thomas ◽  
Norm Gledhill ◽  
Don Paterson ◽  
Art Quinney

This study evaluated the predictive ability of the modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT) on an independent sample of subjects and compared it to the original Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (CAFT). Male and female subjects (n = 154), 15-69 yrs of age, performed the mCAFT and a maximal treadmill test. [Formula: see text]max scores predicted from the mCAFT equation did not differ significantly from those measured during the treadmill test, whether the sample was analysed overall or categorized by sex, whereas the CAFT (Jetté) equation resulted in [Formula: see text]max scores that were significantly lower than either the measured values or those predicted using the mCAFT. The strength of the linear relationship between predicted and measured [Formula: see text]max scores is the same for both the mCAFT (r = 0.88) and CAFT (r = 0.89). However, the mCAFT results in a lower mean square error (37.0 for mCAFT vs. 63.3 for CAFT) and thus is an improvement over the CAFT prediction. Key words: exercise test, direct oxygen consumption, predictive value of tests, physical fitness, epidemiologic methods


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