Physical activity profiles and selected muscular fitness variables in English schoolchildren: A north–south divide?

Ashlie Stephenson,Gavin R. Sandercock,Lee Ingle

doi:10.1080/17461391.2016.1183714

Ashlie Stephenson, Gavin R. Sandercock + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2016.1183714

Copy DOI

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare and contrast habitual physical activity (PA) profiles and muscular fitness in schoolchildren from northern and southern regions of England. Data were collected from two secondary schools in the north east (NE) of England. The study procedures followed methods employed by the East of England Healthy Hearts Study in 10–16-year-old boys and girls based in the south east (SE) region of England and data were compared. Habitual physical activity (PAQ-A), vertical jump test, and hand-grip (HG) strength were assessed. We converted raw scores from all assessments to age- and sex-normalised z-scores. We recruited 597 children (58% boys) in the NE and compared findings to 597 age- and sex-matched boys and girls from the SE. Boys in the SE had significantly stronger HG scores, jumped higher, were more powerful (mean peak power: 2131 W vs. 1782 W; P < 0.0001), and reported being more physically active (mean PAQ-A: 2.9 vs. 2.5; P < 0.0001) than their male counterparts in the NE. In girls, the opposite trend was evident. Girls from the NE of England had a higher HG score, jumped higher, and were more powerful (mean peak power: 2114 W vs. 1839 W; P < .0001) than their peers from the SE. Regional variations in the habitual PA profiles and muscular fitness of schoolchildren from the SE and NE of England do exist. The systematic surveillance of children’s PA and fitness profiles throughout England would help identify regional inequalities on a larger scale.

Highlights

The aim of the study was to compare and contrast habitual physical activity profiles and muscular fitness in schoolchildren from northern and southern regions of England
English schoolchildren have shown a decrease in upper body muscular strength, measured by hand-grip strength (HGS) over the past decade[1,2]; a trend rP
Whilst muscular fitness continue to decline in young people living in Western ee societies; it is perhaps not surprising to note that physical activity (PA) levels have declined, especially in girls, over a similar time frame.[8,9]

Summary

Introduction

Whilst muscular fitness continue to decline in young people living in Western ee societies; it is perhaps not surprising to note that physical activity (PA) levels have declined, especially in girls, over a similar time frame.[8,9] This is concerning given the strong association between low levels of PA and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal ill-health.[10,11] The accurate quantification of PA remains problematic; whilst objective measures such as ev accelerometry may provide a valid and reliable assessment of PA, such technology may be impractical in large-scale field-based settings. Self-reported PA inventories ie offer a frequently used alternative methodology despite the accepted limitations of subjective and questionable recall ability, especially in young people.[12,13,14] The w

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion