Correlates of aerobic fitness in urban and rural Portuguese adolescents

Abstract

Background: Improving physical fitness is often an objective of programmes aimed at preventing obesity among youth.Aim: To evaluate the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and area of residence controlling for several correlates in adolescents.Subjects and methods: CRF was assessed with the progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run (PACER) test in a cross-sectional sample of 362 Portuguese adolescents (165 males, 197 females) of 13–16 years of age. Youth were classified by area of residence as urban or rural. Gender, age, weight status, parental education, screen time (inactivity) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were statistically controlled. Logistic regression analysis was used.Results: Adolescents of both sexes from rural settings were 76% more likely to be classified as aerobically fit compared to those from urban areas. The odds ratio for CRF in the final model was similar in boys (OR = 0.24, 95% CI 0.06–0.99, p < 0.05) and girls (OR = 0.24, 95% CI 0.07–0.76, p < 0.05). MVPA and weight status were important predictors of CRF in Portuguese adolescents of 13–16 years of age. Maternal education was an additional predictor in girls.Conclusion: CRF and rural/urban settings were significantly related in this sample of Portuguese adolescents of both sexes.