scholarly journals Association between Club Sports Participation and Physical Fitness across 6- to 14-Year-Old Austrian Youth

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clemens Drenowatz ◽  
Klaus Greier ◽  
Gerhard Ruedl ◽  
Martin Kopp
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Sports Participation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Free Play ◽  
Motor Test ◽  
Endurance Strength ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Club Sports ◽  
Regular Class Time

Changes in social and built environments most likely contribute to a decline in physical activity (PA) and physical fitness in children and adolescents. Organized sports may be an important component in ensuring adequate fitness, which is an important aspect in general health and well-being. The present study examines differences by club sports participation in cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, power, speed, agility, flexibility and balance in 3293 (55.1% male) Austrian children and adolescents between 6 and 14 years of age. Anthropometric measurements (height and weight) were taken and participants completed the German motor test during regular class time. Even though there was no significant difference in body weight between club sports participants and non-club sports participants, club sports participation was associated with higher physical fitness, particularly regarding endurance, strength, power, and agility. Differences by club sports participation, however, declined during the elementary school years (6–10 years of age), while they became more pronounced during middle school years (10–14 years of age). Club sports participation, therefore, may be a viable option in the promotion of physical fitness, particularly during adolescence. At younger ages, other sources of PA, such as physical education and free play, however, should be considered to ensure sufficient fitness levels that contribute to a healthy and active lifestyle.

scholarly journals Secular Trends in Physical Fitness of Children and Adolescents: A Review of Large-Scale Epidemiological Studies Published after 2006

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (16) ◽  
pp. 5671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Eberhardt ◽  
Claudia Niessner ◽  
Doris Oriwol ◽  
Lydia Buchal ◽  
Annette Worth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Secular Trends ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Endurance Strength ◽  
Over Time

Physical fitness (PF) of children and adolescents is an important resource for their future health. Population-based studies, however, rarely report secular changes of PF, although monitoring of these is crucial to deriving information for adequate interventions. This review aims to report trends in PF of children and adolescents. A literature search was conducted in PubMed in July 2019. Cohort studies published in English allowing statements to be made on trends in PF by comparing youth between the ages of four and 18 years were included. The review identified 24 studies from 16 countries meeting the inclusion criteria, with an overall sample size of more than 860,000 children and adolescents. Through a standardized quality assessment tool, we classified two studies as strong, 21 as moderate, and only one as weak. We analyzed specific secular trends separately for the five different dimensions: endurance, strength, speed, flexibility, and coordination. The majority of studies report a decline of PF over time; however, a few studies report conflicting results. Performance in endurance, strength, and flexibility decreased over time, whereas there was no consistent trend reported for speed and coordination. Overall, there is no international standard on examining and reporting changes or secular trends in PF of children and adolescents, and comparability of studies is limited due to heterogeneous conditions of conducting and analyzing PF tests. Consequently, standardized and consistent international monitoring should be implemented.

scholarly journals Association of Sports Participation and Diet with Motor Competence in Austrian Middle School Students

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clemens Drenowatz ◽  
Klaus Greier
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Motor Development ◽  
Dietary Pattern ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Sports Participation ◽  
School Students ◽  
Motor Competence ◽  
Motor Test ◽  
Club Sports

Physical activity and diet are important contributors to overall health and development in adolescents. There remains, however, limited research on the combined association of sports participation and dietary pattern on motor competence, which is crucial for an active lifestyle during and beyond adolescence. The present study, therefore, examined the association between sports participation, dietary pattern, and motor competence in 165 middle school students (55% male) between 11 and 14 years of age. Body weight and height were measured, and motor competence was determined via the German motor test during regular Physical Education (PE). Further, participants completed a food frequency questionnaire and reported their engagement in club sports. Of the total sample 20% were overweight/obese and 49% reported participation in club sports, with no differences between boys and girls. Interaction effects of sports participation and dietary pattern on motor competence were limited, but sports participation and healthy diet were independently associated with higher motor performance. Healthy dietary choices, along with participation in club sports, therefore, should be promoted in adolescents in order to facilitate motor development. As adolescence is a crucial time for the establishment of lifelong behaviors, such efforts could facilitate a healthy lifestyle throughout adulthood.

Work, Sports and Leisure Activities of Faculty: Basis for the Physical Fitness Program

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
GELSA S. GELACIO
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Sports Activity ◽  
Work Activity ◽  
Fitness Program ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Activity Indices

Physical fitness is the ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor, alertness andwithout undue fatigue to enjoy leisure time pursuits and to meet unforeseenemergencies. Thus, any improvement in an individual’s fitness improves his or her health and well-being. This study evaluated physical fitness activities, which findings could be used as basis in designing a physical fitness program for the facultyof the University of Southern Mindanao. The study utilized the descriptive surveymethod. To determine the physical fitness activity indices of the faculty members,a questionnaire was used. T-test was used to compare the physical fitness activityindices of USM faculty members considering their sex, age, and designation. Thefindings of the study reveal a highly significant difference in sports and leisureactivity indices between male and female respondents. A significant difference inthe physical fitness activity indices considering the respondents’ designation wasalso found. The finding implies that the respondents with and without designations have the same measure of physical activity and leisure index.Keywords: Physical fitness, faculty members, work activity, sports activity, leisure activity, descriptive-comparative design, Philippines

Measuring Impact of Stress in Sandwich Generation Caring for Demented Parents

GeroPsych ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 171-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence M. Solberg ◽  
Lauren B. Solberg ◽  
Emily N. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Exploratory Factor Analysis ◽  
Social Worker ◽  
Resource Availability ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sandwich Generation ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Adult Caregivers ◽  
The Impact

Stress in caregivers may affect the healthcare recipients receive. We examined the impact of stress experienced by 45 adult caregivers of their elderly demented parents. The participants completed a 32-item questionnaire about the impact of experienced stress. The questionnaire also asked about interventions that might help to reduce the impact of stress. After exploratory factor analysis, we reduced the 32-item questionnaire to 13 items. Results indicated that caregivers experienced stress, anxiety, and sadness. Also, emotional, but not financial or professional, well-being was significantly impacted. There was no significant difference between the impact of caregiver stress on members from the sandwich generation and those from the nonsandwich generation. Meeting with a social worker for resource availability was identified most frequently as a potentially helpful intervention for coping with the impact of stress.

Finnish refugee children’s experiences of Swedish refugee camps during the Second World War

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-37
Author(s):  
Merja Paksuniemi
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Second World War ◽  
Refugee Children ◽  
Refugee Camps ◽  
World War ◽  
Daily Routines ◽  
Decisive Importance ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Camp Life ◽  
Second World

This article seeks to demonstrate how Finnish refugee children experienced living in Swedish refugee camps during the Second World War (1939–1945). The study focuses on children’s opinions and experiences reflected through adulthood. The data were collected through retrospective interviews with six adults who experienced wartime as children in Finland and were evacuated to Sweden as refugees. Five of the interviewees were female and one of them was male. The study shows, it was of decisive importance to the refugee children’s well-being to have reliable adults around them during the evacuation and at the camps. The findings demonstrate that careful planning made a significant difference to the children´s adaptations to refugee camp life. The daily routines at the camp, such as regular meals, play time and camp school, reflected life at home and helped the children to continue their lives, even under challenging circumstances.

Strength training in children and adolescents: science, effects and recommandations

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Strength Training ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
International Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Muscle Strengthening ◽  
Strengthening Exercises ◽  
Methodological Aspects ◽  
Practical Recommendations

During the last years, muscle strengthening exercises have been included as an essential part in youth physical activity guidelines of national and international health organisations. It is well-documented that strength training is effective in improving physical fitness and promoting health and psycho-social well-being. Therefore, the purpose of this review article is to present empirical evidence on the effectiveness of strength training in children and adolescents. Additionally, and with reference to an established youth physical development model, conceptual and methodological aspects of safe and effective strength training in youth will be discussed and specific practical recommendations will be presented.

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