Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify the differences in body composition and physical fitness between children who played table tennis regularly during a two-year period compared to physically active children who were not engaged in a regular activity. Three hundred seventy-four children aged 10 to 11 years were divided into two groups: table tennis players (n = 109 boys and 73 girls) and physically active group (n = 88 boys and 104 girls). Anthropometric analysis included body mass index, skinfolds, perimeters and bone diameters. Somatotype and body composition were determined according to age-specific equations. Physical fitness assessment included hand grip dynamometry (strength), sit-and-reach test (range of movement) and maximal multistage 20 m shuttle run test (cardiovascular fitness). The result show that children who regularly played table tennis had greater bone development and superior physical fitness compared to those who were physically active but not engaged in a regular physical activity. This is the largest study to date presenting data about the potential of table tennis to benefit health in children. These results constitute an important first step in clarifying the effectiveness of table tennis as a health-promotion strategy to encourage children to undertake regular physical activity and limit sedentary behavior.
Highlights
Adherence to regular physical activity throughout childhood promotes healthy growth and development [1]
While natural sex differences in body composition and physical fitness could exist during childhood [14,15], increments in cardiovascular fitness through exercise positively contribute to reducing excess weight and cardiometabolic risk factors
Table tennis players presented disparities in anthropometry and body composition compared to physically active children by means of lower Body mass index (BMI)
Summary
Adherence to regular physical activity throughout childhood promotes healthy growth and development [1]. Recent studies suggest that table tennis may be a effective activity for promoting health and increasing leisure-time physical activity among sedentary populations [11,12]. This is relevant in todays’ world, considering that insufficient physical activity has raised the level of unhealthy body composition, e.g., overweight and obesity are at epidemic proportions with an alarming increase of ten-fold over the last forty years [13]. While natural sex differences in body composition and physical fitness could exist during childhood [14,15], increments in cardiovascular fitness through exercise positively contribute to reducing excess weight and cardiometabolic risk factors
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