Association Between 90 O Push-up And Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Cross-sectional Evidence Of Physical Fitness Surveillance In Youth

Abstract

PURPOSE Musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory fitness is strongly associated with better health among children, affecting mental and physical outcomes like depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease risk and body mass indices. It has been shown that fit children with low abdominal adiposity had increased odds of superior academic achievement. To-date there is no adequate surveillance in the US when it comes to monitoring physical fitness. This study investigated associations between musculoskeletal fitness measures (including 90o push-up), cardiorespiratory fitness, and weight. METHODS Two hundred and ten students (9.7 ± 1.08 years; 138.6 ± 9.4 cm; 42.3 ± 14.4 kg) across third through fifth grades were tested for cardiorespiratory (i.e., Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER)) and musculoskeletal (90o push-up, trunk lift, sit-and-reach and curl-up) fitness. The relationships between the two measures were modeled using a series of linear regression analyses. Models were adjusted for age, sex, and weight status. Significant two-tailed tests were set at P < .05. RESULTS Of the four musculoskeletal fitness measures, only 90o push-up was significantly associated (β = .35; P < .001) with PACER test scores (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness). The related model (R2 = .32; F (4,205) = 26.1; P < .001) accounted for 32% of the variance in cardiorespiratory fitness. 90o push-up was associated with sit-and reach (β = .29; P < .001) and curl up (β = .41; P < .001) test scores. When individually modeled, 90o push-up (β = -.46; P < .001) and PACER (β = -.44; P < .001) were inversely associated with weight. CONCLUSIONThe 90o push-up test was associated with cardiorespiratory fitness, anterior trunk muscle strength, endurance, lower back and posterior thigh muscle flexibility. Our study concluded that the 90o push-up test is a tractable tool for physical fitness surveillance by clinicians, physical education teachers, parents, and children. We need more studies with larger samples from diverse settings and wider age range to support our findings. Incorporating a surveillance mechanism of fitness in schools, primary care settings and educating parents of its correct use can make an impact on the youth population and decrease the incidence of the growing pandemic of childhood obesity and its associated health risks.