The Association Of Fatness With Middle-distance Running Performance In Chinese Boys

Abstract

There has been a paucity of evidence pertaining to the discussion whether the effect of fatness on CRF is independent of physical activity (PA). PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine the association of fatness with middle-distance running performance (MDRP) in Chinese boys. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 (8th grade) boys recruited from 3 junior middle schools in Shanghai, China. Participants completed height and weight measurement, and MDRP (1000 m running). PA and sedentary behavior (SB) were measured in 7 consecutive days by accelerometers. Based on the criteria set by the Working Group on Obesity in China, the participants were categorized into either overweight and obese or normal weight according to the body mass index (BMI). Likewise, MDRP was categorized into pass or no pass by using the 2014 revised Chinese National Student Physical Fitness Standard. Independent t test was employed to compare the difference of the time to complete MDRP between overweight and obese boys and normal weight boys. Correlation coefficients were computed to examine the relationship between BMI and the time to complete MDRP. The association of fatness and MDRP were examined, through multiple logistic regressions, after controlling for age and SB, light physical activity (LPA), moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA). RESULTS: 89 boys (age: 13.4±0.5 years, weight:59.3±12.7 kg, height:166.5±6.2 cm, BMI: 21.4±4.3 kg/m2) provided the valid accelerometer data (defined as ≥ 2 days, ≥10 h/day) and were included in the study. The time to complete MDRP of overweight and obese boys was significant longer than normal weight boys (320.1±42.1 s vs 270.8±35.3 s, P<0.001).BMI was significantly positively correlated with the time to complete MDRP (r=0.581,P<0.001). The overweight and obese boys were more likely to not pass the MDRP compared with the normal weight boys (adjusted odds ratio = 4.64; 95% confidence interval: 1.74-12.4), after adjusting age, SB, LPA, MVPA. CONCLUSION: The results uncovered that boys’ BMI was negatively correlated with MDRP. More importantly, compared with normal weight boys, overweight and obese boys had a higher risk to not pass the MDRP, independent of PA.