scholarly journals European normative values for physical fitness in children and adolescents aged 9–17 years: results from 2 779 165 Eurofit performances representing 30 countries

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (22) ◽  
pp. 1445-1456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant R Tomkinson ◽  
Kevin D Carver ◽  
Frazer Atkinson ◽  
Nathan D Daniell ◽  
Lucy K Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Normative Values ◽  
Muscular Endurance ◽  
Muscular Power ◽  
Monitoring And Surveillance ◽  
Lms Method ◽  
Better Than ◽  
Apparently Healthy

ObjectiveTo develop sex-specific and age-specific normative values for the nine Eurofit tests in European children and adolescents aged 9–17 years.MethodsA systematic review was undertaken to identify papers that explicitly reported descriptive results for at least one of nine Eurofit tests (measuring balance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, muscular power, flexibility, speed, speed-agility and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF)) on children and adolescents. Data were included on apparently healthy (free from known disease/injury) children and adolescents aged 9–17 years. Following harmonisation for methodological variation where appropriate, pseudodata were generated using Monte Carlo simulation, with population-weighted sex-specific and age-specific normative centiles generated using the Lambda Mu Sigma (LMS) method. Sex-specific and age-specific differences were expressed as standardised differences in means, with the percentage of children and adolescents with healthy CRF estimated at the sex-age level.ResultsNorms were displayed as tabulated centiles and as smoothed centile curves for the nine Eurofit tests. The final dataset included 2 779 165 results on children and adolescents from 30 European countries, extracted from 98 studies. On average, 78% of boys (95% CI 72% to 85%) and 83% of girls (95% CI 71% to 96%) met the standards for healthy CRF, with the percentage meeting the standards decreasing with age. Boys performed substantially (standardised differences >0.2) better than girls on muscular strength, muscular power, muscular endurance, speed-agility and CRF tests, but worse on the flexibility test. Physical fitness generally improved at a faster rate in boys than in girls, especially during the teenage years.ConclusionThis study provides the largest and most geographically representative sex-specific and age-specific European normative values for children and adolescents, which have utility for health and fitness screening, profiling, monitoring and surveillance.

scholarly journals Weight Status, Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, and Physical Fitness in Spanish Children and Adolescents: The Active Health Study

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Manzano-Carrasco ◽  
Jose Luis Felipe ◽  
Javier Sanchez-Sanchez ◽  
Antonio Hernandez-Martin ◽  
Leonor Gallardo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
The Body ◽  
Health Study ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Optimal Adherence

The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in body composition and physical fitness according to the weight status (normoweight, overweight and obese) and the level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD; low, medium or high), in physically active children and adolescents. Furthermore, this study also analyzed the relationship between body composition and physical fitness with Body Mass Index (BMI), fat mass and the level of adherence to the MD. In total, 1676 participants aged 6–17 from different municipal sports schools participated in this cross-sectional study. Data on adherence to the MD (a KIDMED questionnaire), anthropometric measurements, body composition and physical fitness parameters (the 20-m shuttle run test and muscular strength) were collected. A total of 43.5% of the sample were presented as overweight and obese, and only 35.7% had high or optimal adherence to the MD. The results revealed that a normoweight status was associated with greater cardiorespiratory fitness (p < 0.05; ES: 0.50 to 0.67) and lower-body muscular strength (p < 0.05; ES: 0.58 to 1.10). The overweight group showed more significant results than the other groups in handgrip strength (p < 0.01). Greater adherence to the MD in this population indicated better physical fitness, but only in boys. It is concluded that normoweight status and optimal adherence to the MD in children and adolescents are associated with health benefits, which are significant in the body composition and the effect on physical fitness.

Analysis of trends in physique and physical fitness in Korean adults

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Muscular Endurance ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Fitness Level ◽  
Korean Adults ◽  
Cardiovascular Endurance ◽  
Maximum Decrease

Background and objective: This study aimed to investigate the changes and trends in various measures of physique and physical fitness in Korean adults from 2009 to 2017. Material and methods: The physique and physical fitness levels of 19,415 Korean adults aged 20-69 years were investigated using data from the Survey of National Physical Fitness conducted by the Korea Institute of Sport Science. Physical fitness variables included muscular strength (grip strength), muscular endurance (sit-up exercise), power (standing long jump), cardiovascular endurance (20-m shuttle run), and flexibility (sit and reach exercise). Differences between physique and physical fitness variables were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results were expressed as an intensification factor. Results: A significant relationship was identified between physique and physical fitness variables (P < 0.05), excluding power and flexibility (r = -0.003, P = 0.683). Height and weight increased in men and women in all age groups except those in the age group of 60-69 years; in this age group, a decrease in height was observed in men, and a decrease in weight was observed in both sexes. Men aged 40-49 years and women aged 20-29 years demonstrated a rapid increase in body mass index (BMI). Muscular strength decreased dramatically in both sexes from the age of 40 years. Muscular endurance increased within each age group, most significantly in men aged 60-69 years (32.01%) and women aged 50-59 years (21.0%). However, absolute muscular endurance decreased with age. Power increased significantly in men aged 60-69 years (5.61%) and women aged 20-29 years (2.60%), but decreased in men aged 40-49 years (-2.84%) and women aged 60-69 years (-1.89%). Cardiovascular endurance decreased after the age of 30 years in both sexes, with maximum decrease in men aged 40-49 years (-0.77%) and women aged 60-69 years (-9.33%). Flexibility decreased from the age of 30 years in both sexes: men aged 20-29 years (-24.25%) and women aged 30-39 years (-6.60%) showed the maximum decrease. Conclusion: Overall, the following trends were found: BMI increase is likely to occur in men in their 30s and 40s and women in their 60s; muscular strength rapidly decreases in men and women in their 40s; muscular endurance increases over time in men compared to that in women; power reinforcement exercise is necessary for both men and women in their 40s to overcome decreased power; cardiorespiratory endurance largely decreases during the 20s; and flexibility tends to decrease largely in men from the 20s to 40s. There is a correlation between physique and physical fitness in Korean adults. Moreover, the physical fitness level decreases with age. Regular exercise is recommended to improve physical fitness and prevent aging.

scholarly journals Change in Anthropometrics and Physical Fitness in Norwegian Cadets During 3 Years of Military Academy Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 185 (7-8) ◽  
pp. e1112-e1119
Author(s):  
Anders Aandstad ◽  
Frank Sandberg ◽  
Rune Hageberg ◽  
Elin Kolle
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Air Force ◽  
Physical Training ◽  
Maximal Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Muscular Endurance ◽  
Muscular Power ◽  
Military Academy ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Medicine Ball

ABSTRACT Introduction High physical fitness is associated with increased occupational performance, better health, and reduced risk of injuries in military personnel. Thus, the military emphasizes physical training to maintain or develop physical fitness in their soldiers. It is important to monitor the effect of the physical training regime, but such information is lacking for Norwegian military cadets. Hence, the primary aim of this study was to investigate changes in anthropometrics and physical fitness among male and female army, navy and air force cadets during 3 years of military academy education. Materials and methods 260 male and 29 female Norwegian cadets from the army, navy, and air force academies volunteered to participate. Anthropometrics, muscular power, muscular endurance, and maximal oxygen uptake were measured at entry (T0) and end of each year (T1, T2, and T3). Linear mixed models were used to examine the development in anthropometrics and physical fitness. We applied to the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics to review the study before start-up, but the study was considered exempted from notification. The study was reviewed and approved by the Norwegian Social Science Data Services. Results Male and female cadets significantly increased their body weight, fat-free mass, body mass index, and percent body fat by 1 to 5% from T0 to T3. Skeletal muscle mass was unchanged. Muscular power (medicine ball throw and vertical jump) and muscular endurance (pull-ups and push-ups) increased by 3 to 20% in male cadets, while female cadets only increased results significantly for the medicine ball throw (10%). Relative maximal oxygen uptake decreased by 4% in both sexes, while absolute maximal oxygen uptake only decreased significantly (by 2%) in male cadets. Most of the observed changes were classified as trivial or small, according to calculated effect sizes. The observed changes were generally of similar magnitude for male and female cadets, and similar among the three academies. Conclusions Anthropometrics and physical fitness were relatively stable in Norwegian male and female army, navy, and air force cadets during 3 years of military academy education. Observed changes were typically classified as trivial or small. The initial gap in physical fitness between male and female cadets did not narrow during the education years. Norwegian male and female cadets displayed relatively good physical fitness profiles, compared to sex-matched cadets and soldiers from previously studied military populations.

scholarly journals Percentiles and Principal Component Analysis of Physical Fitness From a Big Sample of Children and Adolescents Aged 6-18 Years: The DAFIS Project

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliseo Iglesias-Soler ◽  
María Rúa-Alonso ◽  
Jessica Rial-Vázquez ◽  
Jose Ramón Lete-Lasa ◽  
Iván Clavel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Additive Models ◽  
Normative Values ◽  
Regional Government ◽  
Height Ratio ◽  
Number Of Components ◽  
Percentile Curves ◽  
Waist To Height Ratio

Assessing physical fitness has emerged as a proxy of the health status of children and adolescents and therefore as relevant from a public health point of view. DAFIS is a project included in Plan Galicia Saudable (Healthy Galicia Plan) of the regional government of Galicia (Spain). DAFIS consists of an on-line software devoted to record the results of a standard physical fitness protocol carried out as a part of the physical education curriculum. The aims of this study were: to obtain normative values of physical fitness of the Galician school population evaluated in the DAFIS project, and to identify a reduced number of components and tests able to capture a significant amount of the variability in the physical fitness of children and adolescents. From an initial sample of 27784 records, 15287 cases (7543 males, 7744 females) were considered after filtering. Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale and Shape were used for obtaining percentile curves and tables for each sex. Furthermore, a principal components analysis was performed, selecting the number of components by applying the Kaiser’s rule and selecting a subset of variables considering the correlation between each variable and the components. Percentile curves and normative values are reported for each test and sex. Physical fitness was better in boys than in girls throughout age groups, except for flexibility that was consistently higher in girls. Two main components were detected throughout age groups: the first one representing body composition and partially cardiorespiratory fitness and the second one muscular fitness. For boys and girls, waist to height ratio had the highest correlations with the first component in four out of six age groups. The highest correlation with the second component, was most frequently observed for the handgrip test both in boys and girls (four out of six age groups). This study provides evidence about the utility of school community actions like DAFIS aimed to track the health-related fitness of children and adolescents. The results suggest that fat mass distribution (i.e., waist to height ratio and waist circumference) and muscular performance (mainly handgrip) concentrate a high proportion physical fitness variance.

scholarly journals Effects of high-intensity interval training on health-related physical fitness in children and adolescents: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 519
Author(s):  
Rafael Luiz Mesquita Souza ◽  
Felipe José Aidar ◽  
Sílvia Schütz ◽  
Jymmys Lopes Dos Santos ◽  
Nara Michelle Moura Soares ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Interval Training ◽  
Physical Conditioning ◽  
Muscular Endurance ◽  
High Intensity Interval Training ◽  
Health Related ◽  
High Intensity Interval

Introduction: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can promote improvement in health and physical conditioning and contribute to the increase in cardiorespiratory capacity (VO2max), local muscular endurance, and improved body composition. However, its effects on health-related physical fitness in children and adolescents are still unclear. Objective: The objective of the study was to analyze the effectiveness of HIIT in the health-related physical fitness of children and adolescents. Methods: The present study analyzed articles from databases (SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Medline via Pubmed, Scopus, Scielo, and Bireme). The PICO strategy was applied to select articles and CONSORT to assess the quality of randomized controlled trials. 511 studies were found. Of this total, 101 articles were eligible for analysis of the abstract. Results: At the end of the selection process, 10 articles resulted in the inclusion criteria. The results suggest that among the variables analyzed by the articles referring to health-related physical fitness, HIIT demonstrated effectiveness in VO2max, body mass index (BMI), and percentage of fat (%F) in this population. Conclusion: However, it was not possible to state that HITT promoted adjustments in flexibility, strength and local muscular endurance, and further studies are needed to assess its effects on health-related physical fitness.Keywords: physical exercise, adolescent, primary health care.

scholarly journals Effect of Functional Training on Physical Fitness Among Athletes: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wensheng Xiao ◽  
Kim Geok Soh ◽  
Mohd Rozilee Wazir Norjali Wazir ◽  
Othman Talib ◽  
Xiaorong Bai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Power Balance ◽  
Muscular Endurance ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Functional Training ◽  
Training Interventions

There is evidence that functional training is beneficial for the overall physical fitness of athletes. However, there is a lack of a systematic review focused on the effects of functional training on athletes' physical fitness. Thus, the aimed of the present review is to clarify the effects of functional training on physical fitness among athletes. In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) Statement guidelines, the systematic search of PubMed, SCOPUS, EBSCOhost (SPORTDiscus), and CINAHL Plus databases was undertaken on the 2nd November 2020 to identify the reported studies, using a combination of keywords related to functional training, physical fitness, and athletes. From the 145 studies, only nine articles met all eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review. The assessment was performed on the Pedro scale, and the quality of the study included in the nine studies was fair (ranging from 3 to 4). The results showed that speed (n = 6) was the aspect of physical fitness studied in functional training interventions, followed by muscular strength (n = 5), power (n = 4), balance (n = 3), body composition (n = 3), agility (n = 3), flexibility (n = 1) and muscular endurance (n = 1). Existing evidence concludes that functional training significantly impacts speed, muscular strength, power, balance, and agility. Furthermore, there are still limit numbers of evidence showing effect of functional training on flexibility and muscular endurance. In contrast, no significant improvement was found in body composition where functional training was conducted.Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier: CRD4202123092.

Overweight/Obesity and Physical Fitness Among Children and Adolescents

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 641-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Carvalho Dumith ◽  
Virgílio Viana Ramires ◽  
Matheus Alves Souza ◽  
Daniel Souza Moraes ◽  
Fabrício Godoy Petry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Better Than ◽  
Medicine Ball

Background:Physical fitness is strongly associated with several positive health indicators among adolescents. However, its association with body mass index status is inconsistent. The aim of this study was to explore the association between overweight/obesity and physical fitness among children and adolescents.Methods:The design consisted of a cross-sectional study comprising 519 Brazilian students age 7 to 15 years. BMI status was assessed according to sex- and age-specific growth charts. Physical fitness was assessed using 8 tests: sit-and-reach, stationary long jump, 1-minute curl-up, modified pull-up, medicine-ball throw, 9-minute run, 20-m run, and 4-m shuttle-run.Results:Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 24% and 12%, respectively. Boys performed better than girls in all tests, except flexibility. Normal weight students performed better than overweight and obese students in all tests, except the sit-and-reach and the medicine-ball throw. Cardiorespiratory fitness had the strongest association with BMI status. The prevalence of obese subjects classified as “most fit” was less than 10%.Conclusions:Higher values of body mass index were associated with declines in physical fitness, independent of age. The majority of obese children and adolescents and almost a half of those overweight were classified in the third tertile of physical fitness (least fit).

scholarly journals Physical Fitness and Self-Rated Health in Children and Adolescents: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2413
Author(s):  
Carmen Padilla-Moledo ◽  
Jorge DR Fernández-Santos ◽  
Rocio Izquierdo-Gómez ◽  
Irene Esteban-Cornejo ◽  
Paula Rio-Cozar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Dropout Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Motor Fitness

Self-rated health (SRH) is an independent determinant for all-cause mortality. We aimed to examine the independent and combined associations of components of physical fitness with SRH at baseline (cross-sectional) and two years later (longitudinal) in children and adolescents. Spanish youth (N = 1378) aged 8 to 17.9 years participated at baseline. The dropout rate at 2-year follow-up was 19.5% (n = 270). Participants were categorized as either children (8 to 11.9 years age) or adolescents (12 to 17.9 years age). The ALPHA health- related fitness test battery for youth was used to assess physical fitness, and SRH was measured by a single-item question. Cumulative link, ANOVA and ANCOVA models were fitted to analyze the data. Cardiorespiratory fitness, relative upper body isometric muscular strength, muscular strength score, and global physical fitness were positively associated with SRH in children (OR, 1.048; 95% CI, 1.020–1.076; OR, 18.921; 95% CI, 3.47–104.355; OR, 1.213; 95% CI, 1.117–1.319, and OR, 1.170; 95% CI, 1.081–1.266, respectively; all p < 0.001) and adolescents (OR, 1.057; 95% CI, 1.037–1.076; OR, 5.707; 95% CI, 1.122–29.205; OR, 1.169; 95% CI, 1.070–1.278, and OR, 1.154 95% CI, 1.100–1.210, respectively; all p < 0.001); and motor fitness was positively associated with SRH only in adolescents at baseline (OR, 1.192; 95% CI, 1.066–1.309; p < 0.01). Cardiorespiratory fitness and global physical fitness were positively associated with SRH in children two years later (OR, 1.056; 95% CI, 1.023–1.091; p < 0.001; and OR, 1.082; 95% CI, 1.031–1.136; p < 0.01; respectively). Only cardiorespiratory fitness was independently associated with SRH in children and adolescents at baseline (OR, 1.059; 95% CI, 1.029–1.090; and OR, 1.073; 95% CI, 1.050–1.097, respectively; both p < 0.001) and two years later (OR, 1.075; 95% CI, 1.040–1.112; p < 0.001; and OR, 1.043; 95% CI, 1.014–1.074; p < 0.01, respectively). A high level of cardiorespiratory fitness at baseline or maintaining high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness from the baseline to 2-year follow-up were associated with a higher level of SRH at 2-year follow-up in children (p < 0.01) and adolescents (p < 0.05). These findings emphasize the importance of cardiorespiratory fitness as strong predictor of present and future SRH in youth. Intervention programs to enhance cardiorespiratory fitness level of the youth population are urgently needed for present and future youth’s health.

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