Physical fitness and health-related quality of life in Brazilian adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

PurposeTo compare physical fitness according to dimensions of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in Brazilian adolescents.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 588 adolescents (263 female) aged 12 to 17 years from a private school in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. HRQOL was assessed by the Kidscreen-52 questionnaire. Four components of physical fitness were assessed: adiposity (sum of tricipital and subscapular skinfolds), muscular strength (handgrip test), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), and cardiorespiratory fitness (20m Shuttle run test). Differences in physical fitness across terciles of HRQOL were assessed using Analysis of Covariance.ResultsAdolescents with higher scores (3<sup>rd</sup> Tercile) of HRQOL in the physical well-being dimension presented higher cardiorespiratory fitness and lower skinfold thickness (<i>p</i> < 0.05) compared to adolescents with lower scores (1<sup>st</sup>Tercile). Those with higher scores in psychological well-being and social support and peer relation dimensions also presented lower skinfold thickness (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Performance in handgrip strength and flexibility did not differ across terciles of HRQOL in any dimension analyzed (<i>p</i> > 0.05).ConclusionsAdiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness seem to contribute to the physical well-being dimension of HQOL in Brazilian adolescents. Furthermore, adiposity also contributes to psychological well-being and social support and peer relations. Adiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness should be monitored to avoid low HRQOL in Brazilian adolescents.