scholarly journals Capacidades físicas y su relación con la memoria, cálculo matemático, razonamiento lingüístico y creatividad en adolescentes (Physical capacities and their relation with memory, mathematical calculation, linguistic reasoning, and creativity in adolescents

Retos ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 473-479
Author(s):  
Alberto Mezcua-Hidalgo ◽  
Alberto Ruiz-Ariza ◽  
Vania A. Ferreira Brandão de Loureiro ◽  
Emilio J. Martínez-López
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Fitness Component ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Mathematical Calculation ◽  
Physical Capacities ◽  
With Memory

El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la asociación del nivel de condición física con variables de rendimiento cognitivo como memoria, cálculo matemático, velocidad de razonamiento lingüístico y creatividad. La muestra estaba formada por 163 adolescentes (78 chicas y 85 chicos) de 13,9 ±1,4 años. La memoria se evaluó mediante una adaptación propia basada en la prueba RIAS. Para el cálculo matemático y el razonamiento lingüístico se usaron tests ad hoc y para la creatividad el test CREA. Los análisis mostraron que la resistencia cardiorrespiratoria de los jóvenes se asocia a mejores niveles de memoria (p = ,027), cálculo matemático (p = ,035), razonamiento lingüístico (p = ,014) y creatividad (p = ,005), independientemente de la edad, sexo e índice de masa corporal de los jóvenes. Sin embargo, mejores niveles de velocidad-agilidad, fuerza y flexibilidad no se relacionaron con mejoras en ninguna de las variables dependientes analizadas (todos p > ,05). Se concluye que la resistencia cardiorrespiratoria es el componente de la condición física que en mayor medida se relaciona con altas capacidades cognitivas de los jóvenes. Se sugiere, que desde la Educación Física se implementen programas específicos para incrementar el nivel de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria, con prácticas sistemáticas especialmente durante el periodo extraescolar. Abstract: The aim of the present study was to analyze the association of the level of physical fitness with variables of cognitive performance such as memory, mathematical calculation, speed of linguistic reasoning, and creativity. The sample consisted of 163 adolescents (78 girls and 85 boys) aged 13.9 ± 1.4 years old. Memory was evaluated through an own adaptation based on the RIAS test. Ad hoc tests were used for mathematical calculation and linguistic reasoning, and the CREA test for creativity. The analyses showed that youth’s cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with better levels of memory (p = ,027), mathematical calculation (p = ,035), linguistic reasoning (p = ,014), and creativity (p =,005) regardless of age, sex, and body mass index. However, better levels of speed-agility, strength, and flexibility were not related with improvements in any of the dependent variables analyzed (all p > ,05). Cardiorespiratory fitness is the physical fitness component with the highest relation with cognitive abilities in youngsters. We suggest the implementation of specific programs aimed at increasing cardiorespiratory fitness levels through Physical Education, especially employing systematic physical activity practices during the extracurricular period.

scholarly journals Una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico solo mejora los niveles de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria de los estudiantes con un perfil no saludable de condición física (An intermittent physical fitness teaching unit only improves cardior

Retos ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 8-15
Author(s):  
Santiago Guijarro-Romero ◽  
Daniel Mayorga-Vega ◽  
Carolina Casado-Robles ◽  
Jesús Viciana
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Teaching Unit ◽  
Experimental Group

El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar el efecto de una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico en Educación Física sobre los niveles de actividad física y capacidad cardiorrespiratoria entre estudiantes con un perfil saludable/no saludable de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. Ochenta estudiantes de 2º-3º curso de Educación Secundaria fueron asignados aleatoriamente al grupo control y grupo experimental. El grupo experimental, dividido en perfiles saludable/no saludable, realizó una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico para mejorar la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. El grupo control trabajó un contenido diferente durante el mismo tiempo y con la misma frecuencia, pero sin hacer hincapié en la mejora de la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. Antes y después de la intervención, la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria se evaluó objetivamente mediante el test de ida y vuelta de 20 metros. Los niveles de actividad física fueron medidos objetivamente a través de un pulsómetro durante las clases de Educación Física. Ambos perfiles tuvieron mayores niveles de actividad física durante las clases de Educación Física que el grupo control (p < .001). Sin embargo, solo los estudiantes con un perfil no saludable mejoraron significativamente sus niveles de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria tras la unidad didáctica (p < .01). Aunque una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico parece tener un efecto similar en los niveles de actividad física de todos los perfiles de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria de los estudiantes, solo mejora la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria de los estudiantes con un perfil no saludable. Abstract. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of a Physical Education-based physical fitness intermittent teaching unit on physical activity levels and cardiorespiratory fitness among students with healthy/unhealthy cardiorespiratory fitness profile. Eighty students from 2º-3º grades of Secondary Education were randomly assigned to the control group and experimental group. The experimental group, divided into healthy/unhealthy profiles, performed a physical fitness intermittent teaching unit to improve the cardiorespiratory fitness. The control group worked a different content during the same time and with the same frequency, but without emphasizing cardiorespiratory fitness improvement. Before and after the teaching unit, students’ cardiorespiratory fitness was objectively measured by the 20-meter shuttle run test. Participants’ physical activity levels were measured objectively using a heart rate monitor during Physical Education lessons. Students from both profiles had higher physical activity levels during Physical Education lessons than the control group (p < .001). However, only students with an unhealthy cardiorespiratory fitness profile statistically improved their cardiorespiratory fitness levels after the teaching unit (p < .01). Although an intermittent physical fitness teaching unit seems to have similar effect on physical activity levels of students from all cardiorespiratory fitness profiles, it only improves the cardiorespiratory fitness of those with an unhealthy one.

Perceived physical fitness mediates the relationship between parental support and physical activity enjoyment in overweight and obese adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 407-417
Author(s):  
Manuel J De la Torre-Cruz ◽  
Sara Suárez-Manzano ◽  
Sebastián López-Serrano ◽  
Alberto Ruiz-Ariza
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Parental Support ◽  
Parental Influence ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Obese Adolescents ◽  
Perceived Parental Support ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Activity Enjoyment

Abstract The relationship between parental support and physical activity enjoyment appears to be mediated by individual-level factors. The aim of this study was to examine whether the relationship between perceived parental support and physical activity enjoyment is mediated by overweight and obese adolescents’ physical fitness, both subjectively and objectively assessed. A total of 163 participants (mean age =14.30 years, 55.8% boys) with an average body mass index of 28.97 kg/m2 took part in this study. Participants completed a questionnaire of parental influence regarding physical activity, a questionnaire of physical self-perception and several fitness tests (cardiorespiratory fitness, lower limbs muscular strength and flexibility) using the ALPHA-fitness battery. The results showed that relationship between perceived parental support and physical activity enjoyment is mediated by the overweight and obese adolescents’ perceived cardiorespiratory fitness and flexibility. We suggest to create educational guidelines for parents to increase the support and improve overweight and obese students’ positive perceived physical competence, in order to achieve a greater adherence to physical activity and greater physical activity enjoyment.

scholarly journals Effects of an Educational Hybrid Physical Education Program on Physical Fitness, Body Composition and Sedentary and Physical Activity Times in Adolescents: The Seneb’s Enigma

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Melero-Cañas ◽  
Vicente Morales-Baños ◽  
David Manzano-Sánchez ◽  
Dani Navarro-Ardoy ◽  
Alfonso Valero-Valenzuela
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Personal And Social Responsibility

Physical activity (PA), body composition and sedentary behavior may affect the health of children. Therefore, this study examined the effect of an educational hybrid physical education (PE) program on physical fitness (PF), body composition and sedentary and PA times in adolescents. A 9-month group-randomized controlled trial was conducted in 150 participants (age: 14.63 ± 1.38 years) allocated into the control group (CG, n = 37) and experimental group (EG, n = 113). Cardiorespiratory fitness, speed, strength, agility, flexibility and body mass index (BMI) were assessed through previously validated field tests. Sedentary time, PA at school and afterschool were evaluated with the Youth Activity Profile-Spain questionnaire. Significant differences were observed concerning to the CG in APA-weekend (p = 0.044), speed-agility (p = 0.005) and agility (p = 0.008). Regarding the intervention, cardiorespiratory fitness (p = 0.000), speed-agility (p = 0.000), strength (p = 0.000), flexibility (p = 0.000), agility (p = 0.000), PA in school (p = 0.011), APA-weekday (p = 0.001), APA-weekend (p = 0.000), APA-week (p = 0.000), and sedentary time (p = 0.000) increased significantly in the EG. The use of a hybrid program based on teaching personal and social responsibility and gamification strategies produced enhancements in cardiorespiratory fitness, agility, speed, APA-weekdays and APA-weekends, reducing the sedentary time.

Effectiveness of a school-based physical activity intervention on adiposity, fitness and blood pressure: MOVI-KIDS study

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 279-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno ◽  
Diana P Pozuelo-Carrascosa ◽  
Jorge C García-Prieto ◽  
Iván Cavero-Redondo ◽  
Montserrat Solera-Martínez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Control Group ◽  
La Mancha ◽  
Mixed Regression ◽  
Registration Number

ObjectiveTo test a physical activity intervention (MOVI-KIDS) on obesity indicators, physical fitness and blood pressure (BP) in children.MethodsA crossover randomised cluster trial was conducted, which comprised 1434 children (4–7 years old) from 21 schools in the provinces of Cuenca and Ciudad Real in the Castilla-La Mancha region of Spain. The intervention consisted of three 60 min sessions/week on weekdays between October 2013 and May 2014. Changes in anthropometric variables, physical fitness and BP parameters were measured. The analyses used were mixed regression models to adjust for baseline covariates under cluster randomisation.ResultsThere was no significant improvement in overweight/obesity with the intervention compared with the control group in both sexes. Further, the intervention did not alter other adiposity indicators or BP parameters. Improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness were seen in girls (1.19; 95% CI 0.31 to 2.08; p=0.008), but not in boys. Finally, there was an improvement in velocity/agility in both girls (−2.51 s; 95% CI −3.98 to −1.05; p=0.001) and boys (−2.35 s; 95% CI −3.71 to −0.98; p=0.001), and in muscular strength in both girls (0.66; 95% CI 0.03 to 1.28; p=0.038) and boys (1.26; 95% CI 0.03 to 1.28; p<0.001).ConclusionMOVI-KIDS was not successful in reducing the adiposity and maintained BP levels at previous healthy values in children. The intervention, however, showed significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness in girls, and muscular strength and velocity/agility in boys and girls.Trial registration numberNCT01971840; Post-results.

scholarly journals Association between Mediterranean Dietary Pattern and Breakfast Quality with Physical Fitness in School Children: The HIIT Project

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1353
Author(s):  
Cristina Cadenas-Sanchez ◽  
María Medrano ◽  
Lide Arenaza ◽  
Maria Amasene ◽  
Maddi Osés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
School Children ◽  
Dietary Pattern ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Mediterranean Dietary Pattern

Dietary habits have been linked with health in childhood. However, few studies have examined the association between healthy dietary patterns and physical fitness. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the associations of adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) and breakfast quality with physical fitness in children. Further to this, we examined the role of physical activity in these associations. A total of 175 children (86 girls, 9.7 ± 0.3 years) participated. Adherence to MDP and breakfast quality were assessed by the KIDMED questionnaire and 24 h recall, respectively. Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and speed–agility were assessed. Physical activity was evaluated by wrist-worn accelerometers. Greater adherence to the MDP was related with higher cardiorespiratory fitness, lower-limbs muscular strength, and speed–agility (all β ≥ 0.189, all p ≤ 0.02). No significant associations were observed between breakfast quality and physical fitness (all p > 0.05). However, all the significant associations disappeared after adjusting for physical activity (all p > 0.05). Our study sheds light on the relevance of adhering to the MDP over physical fitness in school children. However, there is no association between breakfast quality and physical fitness. Furthermore, physical activity seems to explain, at least partially, these findings.

scholarly journals School-based physical activity interventions, physical fitness and mental health among adolescents; Effects, associations and lessons learned from the School in Motion study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Åvitsland
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Intervention Model ◽  
School Based ◽  
Motion Study ◽  
Psychological Difficulties

This thesis is part of the School in Motion study. School in Motion was initiated by the Norwegian government because of the political demand for more knowledge regarding possible approaches to increase adolescent physical activity. The reason for the demand was a report depicting 15-year-olds as among the most sedentary populations in Norway. This is concerning because physical activity can have a preventive function against non-communicable diseases, psychological difficulties and mental disorders. Norwegian schools are given extended responsibilities for their students’ physical and mental health. Physical activity can contribute in this purpose, therefore, finding feasible approaches to increase physical activity in school is an important research topic. The School in Motion study was a cluster randomized controlled trial involving 29 lower secondary schools in Norway. The participants were 2084 9th graders (14-15 years old) from schools located in western, south western, southern, and eastern parts of the country. The study aimed to implement two separate intervention models for increased physical activity and physical education in school, in order to evaluate their effects on physical activity, physical health, mental health, learning and learning environment. Intervention model 1 included weekly, 30 minutes of physical activity, 30 minutes of physically active academic lessons, and one additional physical education lesson. Intervention model 2 included two weekly physical activity lessons in which students were encouraged to pursue their own activity interests, in groups they formed themselves. The aims of this thesis were to elucidate different aspects of the relationship between school-based physical activity interventions, physical fitness and mental health among adolescents, and the feasibility of school-based PA interventions in lower secondary school. The data that are presented in this thesis are the basis of four separate papers. The first paper analyzed baseline data to examine the cross-sectional association between physical fitness and mental health. The results showed a small, inverse association between cardiorespiratory fitness and mental health, while no association was found between mental health and body composition or muscular strength. The second paper presents data from a qualitative study that aimed to elucidate how intervention model 2 was implemented, and what influenced the implementation. The results showed large differences in how the intervention was implemented. Specifically, two out of four investigated schools implemented the intervention adequately, one school implemented the intervention partially adequate and the last school failed at several implementation aspects. Four main factors were responsible for influencing implementation: frame factors, intervention-, participant-, and provider characteristics. The results elucidate the challenge of implementing a complex physical activity intervention in schools, i. e., complex contexts, and expecting the implementation process to be similar for the schools. The third paper examined the effect the interventions had on mental health, by using a cluster randomized controlled trial design. The results showed no intervention effects on the overall population. However, subgroup analyses indicated that intervention model 1 was beneficial for those with high levels of psychological difficulties at baseline, and both intervention models were beneficial for the immigrant subgroup. The results also indicated that intervention model 2 had a negative effect on a subscale of psychological difficulties, peer relationships, within the subgroups non-immigrant girls, and those with “borderline” psychological difficulties at baseline. The fourth paper presents associations between the one-year change in physical fitness components and mental health status. Subgroup analyses showed an inverse association between change in cardiorespiratory fitness and mental health status among boys; an inverse association between change in muscular strength and mental health status among immigrants; and an association between change in cardiorespiratory fitness and mental health among girls with high socioeconomic status. The results indicate that the associations between physical activity, physical fitness and mental health among adolescents depend on different mechanisms that are specific to certain subgroups. The findings of this thesis add nuance to a research field characterized by relatively few studies, small sample sizes, cross-sectional designs and little qualitative knowledge. In summary, this thesis suggests that improving cardiorespiratory fitness can be beneficial for mental health promotion among adolescent boys; and that improving muscular strength can be beneficial for mental health promotion among adolescent immigrants. Moreover, school-based PA programs can be useful for mental health promotion among adolescents with high levels of psychological difficulties and among adolescent immigrants. Regarding the implementation of physical activity programs in schools, this is feasible. However, a successful implementation depends to a large degree on schools’ facilities and frame factors, thus, the physical activity programs should have flexible designs to secure an optimal fit in each individual school. The new Core curriculum in Norway for primary and secondary education specifies that physical and mental health is to be an important interdisciplinary topic in school. The knowledge generated through this thesis can contribute to the development of this interdisciplinary topic, and to the ongoing discussion about the role of physical activity and mental health in school.

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 Organized Sports and Physical Activities as Sole Influencers of Fitness: The Homeschool Population

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Kabiri ◽  
Augusto Rodriguez ◽  
Amanda Perkins-Ball ◽  
Cassandra Diep
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Aerobic Capacity ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Current Investigation ◽  
Organized Sports ◽  
Physical Activity Recommendations ◽  
Upper Abdominal ◽  
Activity Recommendations

Homeschool children may rely solely on organized sports and physical activities to achieve recommended levels of physical activity and fitness. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in fitness levels between homeschool children who did, and did not, participate in organized sports or physical activities, and then examine relationships between hours per week in sports or physical activities and cardiorespiratory fitness as measured by portions of the FitnessGram® test battery. Organized sports/physical activity participation information was gathered on 100 children ages 10–17 years who completed tests of upper, abdominal, and cardiorespiratory fitness. The current investigation revealed that participation alone was not associated with higher levels of physical fitness as assessed by the 90° push-up test or curl-up test nor was time in participation related to cardiorespiratory fitness as assessed by the Progressive Aerobic Capacity Endurance Run (PACER). These activities alone may be insufficient for meeting physical activity recommendations and improving physical fitness. Therefore, children and adolescents educated at home may need additional opportunities to participate in unstructured daily physical activity.

scholarly journals Physical fitness, physical activity, sedentary behavior and psychological predictors in Chilean adolescents: Differences by gender

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (42) ◽  
pp. 233-241 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Psychological Predictors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Exercise Barriers

The purpose of this study was to compare the levels of physical fitness, physical activity, sedentary behavior and psychological predictors of physical activity among male and female Chilean adolescents. A total of 70 male and 56 female Chilean adolescents (aged 13.00 ± 1.00 years old) were assessed for physical fitness (body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness), habitual physical activity and sedentary behavior (GT3X accelerometer) and psychological predictors of physical activity (motivation toward exercise, barriers toward exercise and intention to be physically active) (cross-sectional design). The Mann-Whitney U test results showed that male adolescents had statistically significant more favorable levels of body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, self-determined motivation toward exercise, barriers toward exercise and intention to be physically active than women (p ≤ .05). The different programs conducive to creating healthy habits among young people should keep in mind the differences between male and female adolescents.

Physical fitness and obesity levels during an academic year followed by summer holidays: an issue of insufficient time for physical activity

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
George Aphamis ◽  
Yiannakis Ioannou ◽  
Christoforos D. Giannaki
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Real Option ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
School Year ◽  
Fitness Parameters ◽  
Fitness And Health ◽  
Obesity Indices ◽  
Academic Year

Abstract Today, available time for physical activity has been continuously decreasing, whilst, school-time physical education (PE) classes appear to be the only real option for many adolescents to engage in physical activity and exercise. The aim of the present study was to investigate fitness and health related parameters over one academic year, and after the summer holidays for adolescents who do not engage in out-of-school physical activities. Participants were 153 students (age: 15–17 years; boys n = 86) who exercised only during PE (2 × 45-min periods per week). Body fat, flexibility, handgrip strength, squat jump, 30 m sprint and cardiorespiratory fitness were examined at the beginning and end of a school year, and after the ensuing summer holidays. The boys improved handgrip and flexibility, but no other significant improvement was observed over the school year in any of the examined physical fitness parameters, or obesity indices. Instead, the girls’ cardiorespiratory fitness decreased over the summer holidays. It seems that exercising only twice a week during school PE classes is insufficient to induce significant improvements in physical fitness, body composition and health parameters.

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