Abstract
BackgroundCriterion-referenced cut-points for field-based aerobic fitness for children and adolescents are lacking. This study aimed to determine the associations between aerobic fitness and obesity to propose criterion-referenced cut-points for boys and girls (6–17 years).MethodsA total of 61,465 children and adolescents aged 11.2 ± 2.0 years were recruited from 27 sites (all 26 states and Federal District) across Brazil. Aerobic fitness was assessed using 9-min walk/run test reported as distance attained during the test. Body mass index was calculated from measured height and weight and was used to identify obesity.ResultsThe distance covered in the 9-min walk/run test (area under curve > 0.65) had satisfactory predictive ability for obesity. Sensitivity and specificity were moderate (>60%) to strong (>70%) for all age- and sex-specific cut-points. For boys, the optimal physical performance cut-points were, approximately, 1,200 m from 6 to 8 years, 1,300 m from 9 to 11 years, 1,380 m from 12 to 14 years, 1,520 m from 15 to 17 years. For girls, the best cut-points were, approximately, 1,070 m from 6 to 8 years, 1,160 m from 9 to 11 years and 1,200 m from 12 to 17 years.ConclusionsThe 9-min walk/run test had satisfactory predictive ability for obesity in children and adolescents. The physical fitness cut-points proposed in the present study varied according to age and sex and could be useful and practical tools to identify low levels of physical fitness in children and adolescents in Brazil.
Highlights
Aerobic fitness reflects the overall capacity of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems to supply oxygen during sustained physical activity (Ross et al, 2016)
This study aims to contribute to the discussion that was recently presented in a review article (Lang et al, 2018), recommending the urgent need for standardization of cut-points for aerobic fitness in order to stimulate the creation of a system monitoring of physical fitness levels for children and adolescents
For boys (Table 3; Fig. 1) and for girls (Table 3; Fig. 2), the distance completed during the 9-min walk/run test showed the ability to predict obesity in all ages
Summary
Aerobic fitness reflects the overall capacity of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems to supply oxygen during sustained physical activity (Ross et al, 2016). Association between 9-minute walk/run test and obesity among children and adolescents: evidence for criterion-referenced cut-points. For these reasons, monitoring of aerobic fitness levels becomes an important metric for studies on population health (Ross et al, 2016). This study aimed to determine the associations between aerobic fitness and obesity to propose criterion-referenced cut-points for boys and girls (6–17 years). Conclusions: The 9-min walk/run test had satisfactory predictive ability for obesity in children and adolescents.
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