Encouraging physical fitness in Brazilian adolescents with excess weight: can they outperform their eutrophic peers in some activities?

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovana Chekin Portella ◽  
Daniel Leite Portella ◽  
José de Oliveira Siqueira ◽  
Leandro Ryuchi Iuamoto ◽  
Beatriz Helena Tess
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Mass Percentage ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Fitness Tests ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background There is the need to encourage physical activity (PA) among adolescents with overweight or obesity. Objectives The present study aimed to assess the relationship between health-related physical fitness (PF) and nutritional status, and to identify those activities more suited to adolescents with excess weight. Methods This cross-sectional study included 3,062 in-school adolescents, aged 10–18 years. We collected information on sex, age, weight, height, skinfold thickness, trunk height and leg length, and calculated body mass index (BMI) z-score, fat mass percentage, and peak height velocity (PHV). Participants were tested for PF by the 20-m shuttle run test (cardiorespiratory fitness); medicine ball throw and standing long jump tests (musculoskeletal fitness) and sit and reach test (flexibility). We used generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) to analyze the relationship between nutritional status and performance in the fitness tests, controlled for maturity offset and fat mass percentage. Results 1,563 (51%) were boys, mean age 12.6 years (±1.8), 22.8% were overweight and 12.5% had obesity. In both sexes, adolescents with obesity did better in the upper body strength test than their eutrophic peers. Boys with obesity had worse cardiorespiratory fitness and lower body muscular strength than eutrophic boys. Girls with obesity had similar cardiorespiratory fitness and better lower body strength than eutrophic girls. Conclusion In muscular strength fitness tests, adolescents with obesity performed similarly to, or better than, their eutrophic peers. Motivation to maintain regular PA is reinforced by positive experiences. Interventions that emphasize muscular strength PF should be developed for adolescents with obesity.

Associations of Maternal Prepregnancy Body Mass Index and Gestational Weight Gain With Physical Fitness in Childhood

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-171
Author(s):  
Konstantinos D. Tambalis ◽  
Stamatis Mourtakos ◽  
Labros S. Sidossis
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
Prepregnancy Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Fitness Tests ◽  
Upper Body Strength ◽  
Lower Body Strength

Purpose: To investigate the potential associations of maternal prepregnancy body mass index (mppBMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) with physical fitness in children. Methods: A random sample of 5125 children and their mothers was evaluated. The mothers provided data contained in their medical booklets and pregnancy ultrasound records. The data from 5 physical fitness tests (eg, 20-m shuttle run, 30-m sprint, vertical jump, standing long jump, and small ball throw) were used to assess children’s cardiorespiratory fitness, speed, explosive power, and lower and upper body strength, respectively. Results: MppBMI was inversely associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (b = −0.02), lower body strength (b = −1.01), upper body strength (b = −0.07), and speed (b = 0.04). Also, GWG was unfavorably associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (b = −0.02), lower body strength (b = −1.12), upper body strength (b = −0.03), and speed (b = 0.03), after adjusting for sex, birth weight, and children’s BMI (all P values < .05). Children of mothers with an mppBMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and excess GWG had almost 30% and 20% increased odds for low performances in physical fitness tests than those of mothers with an mppBMI < 25 kg/m2 and adequate GWG, respectively. Conclusions: Antenatal factors such as increased mppBMI and excess GWG could play an unfavorable role in the future health of the offspring.

scholarly journals The association between mental health and physical fitness in Norwegian adolescents

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Åvitsland ◽  
Eva Leibinger ◽  
Tommy Haugen ◽  
Øystein Lerum ◽  
Runar Barstad Solberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties ◽  
Adjusted Model ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background: Studies indicate that cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and body composition are associated with mental health. However, research is scarce concerning this relationship in young adolescents in general and non-existent in Norwegian populations specifically. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between different health-related aspects of physical fitness and self-reported mental health in Norwegian adolescents. Methods: Participants from four regions of Norway (n = 1486; mean age = 13.9; girls = 50.6%) completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and were measured for cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and body composition. Linear mixed effects models were conducted to assess the associations between the health-related aspects of physical fitness and the total difficulties score of the questionnaire. Results: Body composition was not associated with total difficulties score. Muscular strength independently was associated with total difficulties score, but when all independent variables were entered in the fully adjusted model, only cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with total difficulties score. School clusters were included as random effects and all models were controlled for sex, socioeconomic status and birthplace (domestic or foreign). Conclusions: A small but significant negative association between cardiorespiratory fitness and total difficulties score indicated that higher cardiorespiratory fitness predicted better mental health in Norwegian adolescents. The results suggest that muscular strength is not associated with mental health in adolescents, when controlling for cardiorespiratory fitness. Future research on how exercise affects mental health should investigate whether there is a greater effect for participants who improve their cardiorespiratory fitness.

scholarly journals Secular trends in health-related physical fitness among 11–14-year-old Croatian children and adolescents from 1999 to 2014

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Kasović ◽  
Lovro Štefan ◽  
Vilko Petrić
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Upper Body Strength ◽  
Lower Body Power

AbstractThe main purpose of the study was to analyze secular trends of health-related physical fitness in 7–14-year-old Croatian children and adolescents from 1999 and 2014. In this observational cross-sectional study, we recruited 5077 children and adolescents between ages 11 and 14 (50.8% girls) from five primary schools located in the capital city of Zagreb. Physical fitness performance was tested from 1999 until 2014. Physical fitness performance included: (1) body-mass index (measure of body size), (2) standing broad jump (measure of lower-body power), (3) polygon backwards (measure of general coordination and agility), (4) sit-ups in 60 s (measure of upper-body strength), (5) sit-and-reach test (measure of flexibility) and (6) 6-min run test (measure of cardiorespiratory fitness). Boys performed better in all physical fitness tests, except for sit-and-reach test (p < 0.001). In boys, between 1999 and 2014, body size, upper-body strength and coordination/agility increased, while flexibility, lower-body power and cardiorespiratory fitness decreased. During the same period, girls experienced an increase in body size, lower-body power, upper-body strength, coordination/agility and flexibility, while cardiorespiratory fitness decreased. This study shows that cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility and coordination/agility decrease, while upper-body strength increases in both sexes. These findings should serve as an avenue for national monitoring system to screen and track biological development in children and adolescents.

scholarly journals Mediation Effect of Age Category on the Relationship between Body Composition and the Physical Fitness Profile in Youth Handball Players

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Molina-López ◽  
Iván Barea Zarzuela ◽  
Jesús Sáez-Padilla ◽  
Inmaculada Tornero-Quiñones ◽  
Elena Planells
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Physiological Profile ◽  
Physical Capacities ◽  
The Relationship

The aims of the present study were (1) to determine the differences in body composition and the physical and physiological profile of handball youths across age categories, and (2) to analyze the mediation effect of different categories on the relationship between lean mass or fat mass and specific physical handball capacities. Fifty-four young handball players aged 13 to 18 were assigned to U14 (13- and 14-year-olds), U16 (15- and 16-year-olds), and U18 (17- and 18-year-olds). Body composition was measured using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance (Inbody®, 230). Handball physical fitness was assessed using handgrip force, jumping tests (squat jump, countermovement jump, countermovement jump with aimed arms), a 30-m sprint, a change-of-direction test (T-half agility test and modified Illinois test), and a Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1. Simple mediation analysis was performed to analyze whether the category mediated the relationship between lean mass or fat mass and physical capacities. No significant differences were observed according to category for the majority of the measured parameters, except for height, lean body mass, and arm span. Lean body mass increased significantly as player category increased (p < 0.05; ∆ = 4.66–9.38; effect size (ES) = 0.96–1.92). The increase in handball category enhanced the majority of the physical capacities evaluated; however, these differences were reduced between the U16 vs. U18 categories. The indirect mediation effect suggests that handball category mediated the relationship between lean mass and upper and lower strength, velocity, agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness. In contrast, an indirect effect suggests that category mediated the relationship between fat mass only in agility and cardiorespiratory fitness. We conclude that U18s showed better body composition parameters, as well as better physical performance scores. Handball category clearly mediated the relationship between body composition through lean mass and fat mass and the physiological profile in handball youth, but lean mass proved to be more relevant when mediating physical performance.

scholarly journals Physical fitness in preschool children in relation to later body composition at first grade in school

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0244603
Author(s):  
Kirkke Reisberg ◽  
Eva-Maria Riso ◽  
Jaak Jürimäe
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Mass Percentage ◽  
Fat Mass Index ◽  
Run Test ◽  
Shuttle Run

Background This study aimed to investigate whether better physical fitness in kindergarten predicts later healthier body composition in first grade at school. Methods Body composition was assessed by skinfold thickness measurements. Physical fitness tests included 20 m shuttle run test, handgrip strength test, standing long jump test, 4x10 m shuttle run test as part of PREFIT fitness test battery, and one-leg stance test from EUROFIT test battery. The participants of this study were 147 Estonian children (51% boys) aged 6–8 years, who were measured in the transition from kindergarten to school. Results After adjusting for maternal body mass index, educational attainment, child’s sex, age at the measurements, greater cardiovascular and motor fitness, relative lower body strength, static balance at 6.6 yr were associated with lower fat mass index, fat mass percentage at 12-month follow-up. The relative lower body strength above the median at 6.6 yr were related to lower fat mass index and fat mass percentage at 12-month follow-up, while the static balance test results demonstrated the opposite associations. Improvements in the 4x10 m shuttle run test results during the 12-month follow-up period were associated with the most beneficial changes in body composition status, such as increases in fat-free mass index and decreases in fat mass index, fat mass percentage, waist-to-height ratio after adjusting for maternal body mass index, educational attainment, child’s sex, age, at the measurements and baseline values of exposures. Conclusion Better physical fitness tests results at 6.6 yr in kindergarten generally predicted lower body fat parameters in children at 7.6 yr in first grade at school.

scholarly journals NON-FORMAL PHYSICAL EDUCATION OF CHILDREN: INCREASE FACTOR OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND PHYSICAL FITNESS

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (102) ◽  
pp. 44-51
Author(s):  
Asta Šarkauskienė ◽  
Sigita Derkintienė ◽  
Šarūnas Paplauskas
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Fitness Tests ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

Background. Studies on physical activity, which is positively associated with physical fitness, reveal that children’s activity is not sufficient (BHFNC, 2010; Chen, Zheng, Yi, & Yao, 2014; Currie et al., 2012), and their physical fitness deteriorates (Volbekienė & Kavaliauskas, 2002; Мирошниченко & Астраханцев, 2005; Синявский, Власов, & Сергеев, 2009). Non-formal physical education (NFPE) is one of the means to increase children’s physical activity and physical fitness. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of NFPE on the physical fitness of 6th grade pupils. Methods. The research was conducted in May, 2013; 356 six-graders (48.0% of girls) from four Klaipėda city comprehensive schools participated in the research. As many as 56.5% of children (48.3% of girls) participated in NFPE in school and out of school. The participants completed five physical fitness tests. Results. Independent t test revealed that the results of boys who attended the NFPE group of cardiorespiratory fitness, t(180) = −2.093, p = .038; upper body muscular strength and endurance, t(182) = 2.413, p = .017; abdominal muscular strength and endurance, t(186) = 3.282, p = .001; explosive leg power, t(183) = 1.967, p = .049, and girls’ results of abdominal muscular strength and endurance, t(172) = 2.687, p = .008 were significantly higher than those in the NFPE non attended group. Conclusion. Non-formal physical education is a meaningful educational form for increasing children’s, particularly boys’, health related physical fitness; therefore it is purposeful to encourage children to participate in physical activities in school and after classes.

scholarly journals The relationship between second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), muscle strength and body composition to bone mineral density in young women

Kinesiology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-245
Author(s):  
Hamid Arazi ◽  
Ehsan Eghbali
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Lower Body Strength ◽  
The Relationship

2D:4D ratio is determined by balance between androgens and estrogens. Low level estrogen reduces bone mineral density (BMD) and incurs negative changes to bone microarchitecture, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and, as a consequence, fracture risk in women. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between 2D:4D, muscle strength and body composition to BMD in young women. One hundred twenty-seven young women (age range 24-36 years) voluntarily participated in this study. Lengths of the second (index) and fourth (ring) fingers, upper and lower body strength and body composition (body mass index, BMI; waist to hip ratio, WHR) and body fat percentage were estimated. Also, blood levels of calcium and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) were evaluated and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device was used to measure BMD in the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN). The results showed that digit ratios, upper body and lower body muscle strength, BMI and fat percentage had a positive relationship with LS and FN BMD (LS BMD: r=.47, r=.56, r=.46, r=.34, r=.28, p≤.001, respectively; FN BMD: r=.34, r=.49, r=.51, r=.45, r=.27, p≤.001, respectively). In addition, there was no significant relationship between WHR and BMD of LS and FN (p˃.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed the upper body strength was a stronger determinant of LS BMD and the lower body strength was a stronger determinant of FN BMD. Based on the results, the researchers concluded that upper and lower body strength, 2D:4D ratios and BMI were important determinants of young women’s BMD. Also, it seemed that some of these factors may be able to help predicting the osteoporosis potential in young women

scholarly journals Physical fitness and nutritional anthropometric status of children from disadvantaged communities in the Nelson Mandela Bay region

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Danielle Smith ◽  
Larissa Adams ◽  
Rosa Du Randt ◽  
Jan Degen ◽  
Stefanie Gall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Disadvantaged Communities ◽  
Nelson Mandela

Background: Information about the relationships between physical fitness, body composition and nutrition has increased in recent years; however, little is known about physical fitness and the coexistence of under-/overnutrition among children living in disadvantaged areas. Objectives: To determine the physical fitness status and its association with body composition, growth and selected socio- demographics in primary schoolchildren from disadvantaged communities in the Nelson Mandela Bay region. Methods: Nine hundred and sixty-five children (49% girls, M=9.5 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Height and weight were measured to establish body mass index, and height-for-age z-scores. Physical fitness was assessed using tests from the Eurofit Physical Fitness test battery (flexibility, upper/lower body muscular strength and cardiorespiratory fitness). Between- group differences and cross-sectional associations were examined with univariate (Chi2-tests, analyses of variance) and multivariate methods (mixed linear/logistic regression). Results: Most children had normal weight (76.7%), while 4.5% were underweight and 18.7% were overweight/obese. Underweight children and children with stunted growth (11.5%) had lower average upper body strength (p<0.001). Overweight/obese children had lower scores in weight-bearing activities (p<0.001). Children with higher socio-economic status were more likely to be overweight and obese (p<0.001). In the multivariate analyses, sex, age, body mass index, and stunting were associated with children’s physical fitness. Conclusion: Fitness assessments seem to be a relevant measure of the current health status of children in disadvantaged settings. Compared to international norms, the children in this study had relatively low scores for both upper- and lower body muscular strength. Therefore, effective school-based intervention programmes should be developed to improve children’s physical fitness in disadvantaged schools.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Physical Fitness and Simulated Firefighting Task Performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Goris Nazari ◽  
Joy C. MacDermid ◽  
Kathryn E. Sinden ◽  
Tom J. Overend
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Task Completion ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Fitness Parameters ◽  
Lower Body Strength ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Completion Times

The overall aim of this study was to measure the physiological responses of firefighters from a single fire service during simulated functional firefighting tasks and to establish the relationship between physical fitness parameters and task performance. 46 males and 3 females firefighters were recruited. Firefighters’ aerobic capacity levels were estimated using the Modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT). Grip strength levels, as a measure of upper body strength levels, were assessed using a calibrated J-Tech dynamometer. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) protocol for the static floor lifting test was used to quantify lower body strength levels. Firefighters then performed two simulated tasks: a hose drag task and a stair climb with a high-rise pack tasks. Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r) were calculated between firefighters’ physical fitness parameters and task completion times. Two separate multivariable enter regression analyses were carried out to determine the predictive abilities of age, sex, muscle strength, and resting heart rate on task completion times. Our results displayed that near maximal heart rates of ≥88% of heart rate maximum were recorded during the two tasks. Correlation (r) ranged from −0.30 to 0.20. For the hose drag task, cardiorespiratory fitness and right grip strength (kg) demonstrated the highest correlations of −0.30 and −0.25, respectively. In predicting hose drag completion times, age and right grip strength scores were shown to be the statistically significant (p<0.05) independent variables in our regression model. In predicting stair climb completion times, age and NIOSH scores were shown to be the statistically significant (p<0.05) independent variables in our regression model. In conclusion, the hose drag and stair climb tasks were identified as physiological demanding tasks. Age, sex, resting heart rate, and upper body/lower body strength levels had similar predictive values on hose drag and stair climb completion times.

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