Greater Physical Fitness Research Articles

The Health Effects of Karate Training: A Review of 21st Century Research.

Background/Objectives: To date, the health effects of karate have not been identified. Therefore, the aim of this article is to learn more about the health effects of karate training based on a review of current research. Methods: The Scopus database was searched from 2000 onwards for available articles related only to karate. The following intermediate phrases were not included: combat sport, fighting art, hand-to-hand combat, martial art, and self-defence system. The filter used was desk review analysis. Only 14 scientific articles (research papers and review papers) strictly on karate were found. The method of source material analysis and critical analysis of the source text was then used. Results: It was shown that kumite appears to require significantly more metabolic power than kata. Furthermore, the greater skill of karatekas is associated with their greater physical fitness, and long-term karate training attenuates the decline in dynamic visual acuity (DVA). The role of modified and individualised forms of karate training is also highlighted as important for the health of practitioners. Furthermore, long-term karate practice is associated with extensive modulation of immunological parameters. Karate training can also significantly improve motor skills. It can also play an important role in the development of willpower and personality traits that contribute to the well-being of its practitioners. Furthermore, nutritional and psychological interventions combined with karate training may improve cardiometabolic parameters, oxidative stress and inflammation. Karate training may also contribute to the prevention of osteoporosis and strengthen the left ventricular myocardium. Conclusions: It was found that there is a paucity of contemporary research on the health effects of karate training. In addition, they are limited to the individuals studied, so that generalisations about these effects in the general population of karate practitioners cannot be made.

Greater physical fitness ( ) in healthy older adults associated with increased integrity of the locus coeruleus-noradrenergic system.

Physical activity (PA) is a key component for brain health and Reserve, and it is among the main dementia protective factors. However, the neurobiological mechanisms underpinning Reserve are not fully understood. In this regard, a noradrenergic (NA) theory of cognitive reserve (Robertson, 2013) has proposed that the upregulation of NA system might be a key factor for building reserve and resilience to neurodegeneration because of the neuroprotective role of NA across the brain. PA elicits an enhanced catecholamine response, in particular for NA. By increasing physical commitment, a greater amount of NA is synthetised in response to higher oxygen demand. More physically trained individuals show greater capabilities to carry oxygen resulting in greater - a measure of oxygen uptake and physical fitness (PF). We hypothesized that greater would be related to greater Locus Coeruleus (LC) MRI signal intensity. In a sample of 41 healthy subjects, we performed Voxel-Based Morphometry analyses, then repeated for the other neuromodulators as a control procedure (Serotonin, Dopamine and Acetylcholine). As hypothesized, greater related to greater LC signal intensity, and weaker associations emerged for the other neuromodulators. This newly established link between and LC-NA system offers further understanding of the neurobiology underpinning Reserve in relationship to PA. While this study supports Robertson's theory proposing the upregulation of the NA system as a possible key factor building Reserve, it also provides ground for increasing LC-NA system resilience to neurodegeneration via enhancement.

The impacto of mammaplasty and lipectomy on self concept and body self-perception image: integrative review

The impacto of mammaplasty and lipectomy on self concept and body self-perception image: integrative review

Adherence to 24-Hour Movement Guidelines Among Chinese Older Adults: Prevalence, Correlates, and Associations With Physical and Mental Health Outcomes.

It is known that 24-hour movement behaviors, including physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep, are crucial components affecting older adults' health. Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines for older adults were launched in 2020, emphasizing the combined role of these 3 movement behaviors in promoting older adults' health. However, research on the prevalence and correlates of guideline adherence and its associations with health-related outcomes is limited, especially among Chinese older adults. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of meeting 24-hour movement guidelines among Chinese older adults. Furthermore, this study aimed to examine the associations of guideline adherence with older adults' physical and mental health outcomes. Using a stratified cluster random sampling approach, a total of 4562 older adults (mean age 67.68 years, SD 5.03 years; female proportion: 2544/4562, 55.8%) were recruited from the latest provincial health surveillance of Hubei China from July 25 to November 19, 2020. Measures included demographics, movement behaviors (PA, SB, and sleep), BMI, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio (WHR), percentage body fat (PBF), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, physical fitness, depressive symptoms, and loneliness. Generalized linear mixed models were employed to examine the associations between variables using SPSS 28.0 (IBM Corp). Only 1.8% (83/4562) of participants met all 3 movement guidelines, while 32.1% (1466/4562), 3.4% (155/4562), and 66.4% (3031/4562) met the individual behavioral guidelines for PA, SB, and sleep, respectively. Participants who were older, were female, and lived in municipalities with lower economic levels were less likely to meet all 3 movement guidelines. Adhering to individual or combined movement guidelines was associated with greater physical fitness and lower values of BMI, waist circumference, WHR, PBF, depressive symptoms, and loneliness, with the exception of the relationship of SB+sleep guidelines with loneliness. Furthermore, only meeting SB guidelines or meeting both PA and SB guidelines was associated with lower systolic blood pressure. This is the first study to investigate adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines among Chinese older adults with regard to prevalence, correlates, and associations with physical and mental health outcomes. The findings emphasize the urgent need for promoting healthy movement behaviors among Chinese older adults. Future interventions to improve older adults' physical and mental health should involve enhancing their overall movement behaviors and should consider demographic differences.

Women pole dance athletes present morphofunctional left ventricular adaptations and greater physical fitness

This cross-section study evaluated physical fitness, heart rate variability (HRV) and, left ventricle (LV) morphology and function in pole dance (PD) athletes. Control group (CG) was composed of 16 untrained women and the PD group (PG) was composed of 15 professional women. Physical fitness, echocardiographic, HRV and parameters were assessed. A better physical performance was found in the PG compared to CG group, with significant differences for tests: handgrip strength test -left hand ( P < 0.05) and right hand ( P < 0.01), push-up ( P < 0.001), curl-up ( P < 0.001), and sit and reach ( P < 0.001). Systolic function of LV did not differ statistically between CG and PG. The LV relative wall thickness was significantly high ( P < 0.05, mean difference: 0.04) and the isovolumic relaxation time was significantly lower ( P < 0.01, mean difference: −27 ms) in the PG. The HRV indices did not differ statistically between the groups. The PD athletes have higher physical fitness without changes in HRV makers. Moreover, PD athletes had LV remodeling with an improved LV relaxation. Cette étude transversale a évalué la condition physique, la variabilité de la fréquence cardiaque (VFC), la morphologie et la fonction du ventricule gauche (VG) chez les athlètes de pole dance (PD). Le groupe témoin (CG) était composé de 16 femmes non entrainées en PD et le groupe PD (PG) était composé de 15 femmes professionnelles de cette discipline. La condition physique, l’échocardiographie, la VFC et les paramètres morphofonctionnels du VG ont été évalués et comparés entre les groupes. Une meilleure performance physique a été retrouvée dans le groupe PG par rapport au groupe CG, avec des différences significatives pour les tests de force de préhension (main gauche ( p < 0,05) et main droite ( p < 0,01)), push-up ( p < 0,001), curl-up ( p < 0,001) et de flexibilité “seat and reach” ( p < 0,001). La fonction systolique du VG ne différait pas statistiquement entre le groupe CG et le groupe PG. L’épaisseur relative de la paroi ventriculaire gauche était significativement plus élevée ( p < 0,05, différence moyenne: 0,04) et le temps de relaxation isovolumique était significativement plus faible ( p < 0,01, différence moyenne: -27 ms) dans le groupe PG, comparativement au groupe CG. Les indices de VHC ne différaient pas statistiquement entre les groupes. Les athlètes de PD ont une meilleure forme physique sans modification des marqueurs de VFC. De plus, les athlètes du groupe PD présentaient un remodelage du VG avec une relaxation améliorée du VG.

Genomic Predictors of Brisk Walking Are Associated with Elite Sprinter Status.

Brisk walkers are physically more active, taller, have reduced body fat and greater physical fitness and muscle strength. The aim of our study was to determine whether genetic variants associated with increased walking pace were overrepresented in elite sprinters compared to controls. A total of 70 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously identified in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of self-reported walking pace in 450,967 European individuals were explored in relation to sprinter status. Genotyping of 137 Russian elite sprinters and 126 controls was performed using microarray technology. Favorable (i.e., high-speed-walking) alleles of 15 SNPs (FHL2 rs55680124 C, SLC39A8 rs13107325 C, E2F3 rs4134943 T, ZNF568 rs1667369 A, GDF5 rs143384 G, PPARG rs2920503 T, AUTS2 rs10452738 A, IGSF3 rs699785 A, CCT3 rs11548200 T, CRTAC1 rs2439823 A, ADAM15 rs11264302 G, C6orf106 rs205262 A, AKAP6 rs12883788 C, CRTC1 rs11881338 A, NRXN3 rs8011870 G) were identified as having positive associations with sprinter status (p < 0.05), of which IGSF3 rs699785 survived correction for multiple testing (p = 0.00004) and was linked (p = 0.042) with increased proportions of fast-twitch muscle fibers of m. vastus lateralis in physically active men (n = 67). Polygenic analysis revealed that individuals with ≥18 favorable alleles of the 15 SNPs have an increased odds ratio of being an elite sprinter when compared to those with ≤17 alleles (OR: 7.89; p < 0.0001). Using UK Biobank data, we also established the association of 14 favorable alleles with low BMI and fat percentage, 8 alleles with increased handgrip strength, and 7 alleles with increased height and fat-free mass. In conclusion, we have identified 15 new genetic markers associated with sprinter status.

Profile of adults users of smartphone applications for monitoring the level of physical activity and associated factors: A cross-sectional study.

BackgroundThere are currently more than 200 million smartphones in Brazil. The potential of mobile technologies for favorable changes in health behavior such as physical activity has been previously described in the literature. Results of surveys in developed countries indicate that applications (APPs) are developed for people who are better educated, younger, and with higher incomes compared to non-users. However, the profile of users in developing countries like Brazil is not well-known. Understanding the profile of APP users might ease the development turned to physically inactive people and those at higher cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, the physiological and functional factors associated with the use of such APP are unknown.ObjectivesTo characterize the profile of APP users to monitor the physical activity level (PAL) and assess the demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, physiological, and functional characteristics associated with the use of smartphone APPs to monitor physical activity in Brazilian adults.MethodsWe assessed 176 asymptomatic men and 178 women (43 ± 12 years; 27 ± 5 kg/m2). We initially asked participants about their current use of a smartphone APP containing PAL monitoring functionality, such as exercise session logs and/or step counts. In a cross-sectional design, we investigated schooling, socioeconomic status (Critério Brasil), and classic self-reported cardiovascular risk factors. We evaluated several physiological and functional variables such as maximum O2 consumption on a treadmill (VO2 max), blood pressure, body composition (bioelectrical impedance), handgrip strength, and isokinetic muscle strength of the dominant lower limb. Participants used a triaxial accelerometer for 7 days to quantify daily physical activity. We also assessed health-related quality of life (WHOQOL BREF), perceived stress (PSS14 Scale), and the built environment (NEWS Scale). We compared continuous variables using the Student's t-test and categorical variables using the χ2 test, between APP users and non-users. After univariate analysis, we included the main variables associated with the use of APP in a multiple logistic regression model.ResultsOne hundred and two participants (28.3%), unrelated to gender, reported using a smartphone APP for physical activity at the time of assessment. Except for perceived stress and the built environment that were not associated with the use of APP, users of APP were younger and had higher education, lower cardiovascular risk, better socioeconomic status, a better quality of life, better cardiorespiratory function, better body composition, greater physical fitness and more moderate to vigorous physical activity in daily life. The results of the multiple logistic regression showed that age, hypertension, VO2 max, socioeconomic status (Critério Brasil), and quality of life (WHOQOL BREF total score) were the variables most significantly associated with the use of the APP.ConclusionsOur results indicate that smartphone APPs to monitor physical activity are developed for younger adults with better socioeconomic status, lower cardiovascular risk, higher quality of life, and greater cardiorespiratory fitness. Greater efforts are needed to develop a science-based APP for people who most need this technology, enabling greater potential to prevent undesirable health outcomes in asymptomatic adults.

Association between Dietary Patterns and Physical Fitness among Chinese Children and Adolescents in Shaanxi Province.

Background: This study aims to investigate the associations between dietary patterns (breakfast, egg, dairy products, and sugared beverage intake frequencies) and physical fitness among Chinese children and adolescents in Shaanxi Province. METHODS: Data were extracted from the Chinese National Survey on Students’ Constitution and Health (CNSSCH). The study ultimately included 7305 participants (48.4% male, 51.6% female) aged 6–22 in Shaanxi Province, China. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the association of the frequency of breakfast, egg, dairy product, and sugared beverage intakes with physical fitness. RESULTS: The frequency of breakfast, egg, and dairy product intakes were all independently and positively associated with the level of physical fitness. The frequency of sugared beverage intake was negatively associated with the level of physical fitness. CONCLUSION: Healthier dietary patterns (i.e., higher breakfast, egg, and dairy product intakes and lower sugared beverage intake) were associated with greater physical fitness. Specifically, maintaining a healthy dietary pattern of breakfast, egg, and dairy product intakes can positively affect the strength and endurance performance of children and adolescents. Increased dairy product intake plays a crucial part in boosting the physical fitness total scores of children and adolescents.

Relationship between the severity of persistent symptoms, physical fitness, and cardiopulmonary function in post-COVID-19 condition. A population-based analysis.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between physical fitness, cardiopulmonary function and patient-reported severity of symptoms in people with post-COVID-19 condition. We examined ambulatory patients (n = 72) with post-COVID-19 condition who had a chronic symptomatic phase lasting > 12 weeks from the onset of symptoms, but had not been hospitalized for acute COVID-19. A comprehensive medical screening was conducted, including clinical history, symptomatology, comorbidities, body composition and physical activity levels. We then identified the relationship between physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength), cardiopulmonary function (echocardiographic and spirometry parameters) and patient-reported severity of symptoms (fatigue, dyspnea, health-related quality of life, anxiety, and depression). Age, body mass index, sex, number of comorbidities and duration of symptoms were included as potential confounders. Results showed that greater physical fitness and cardiopulmonary function were associated with lower severity of symptoms in people with post-COVID-19 condition. Cardiorespiratory fitness, lower-limb muscle strength, maximal voluntary ventilation and left ventricular ejection fraction account for reducing fatigue and dyspnea. Greater physical activity levels were associated with fewer symptoms and less-severe fatigue and dyspnea. In conclusion, preserving better cardiopulmonary health and physical condition during the course of the disease—even in mild cases—was related to a lower intensity of symptoms in non-hospitalized people with post-COVID-19 condition. It is probable that exercise and physical conditioning are valuable pre- and post-COVID-19 countermeasures that could help decrease the severity, not only of acute infection, but of post-COVID-19 persistent symptoms and prognosis.

Childhood Factors Associated with Muscular Strength Trajectories between Childhood and Mid-Adulthood.

To promote greater muscular strength across the life course and, in turn, help improve long-term health outcomes, strategies aimed at increasing muscular strength are required. To inform these strategies, this study identified childhood factors associated with muscular strength trajectories. Prospective longitudinal study of 1280 Childhood Determinants of Adult Health participants who had a range of potentially modifiable factors (e.g., anthropometric measures, physical activity) and health and risk motivation items (e.g., attitudes, beliefs, and intentions on health-related actions) measured in childhood and had their muscular strength assessed up to three times between childhood and midlife. Associations between childhood factors and three predetermined life course muscular strength trajectories (identified previously using group-base trajectory modeling as follows: above average and increasing, average, and below average and decreasing) were examined using log multinomial regression. Greater physical fitness, physical activity, fat-free mass, enjoyment of physical activity, physical education, and school sports, and positive attitudes regarding the importance of exercising, staying fit, and body image were associated with a lower likelihood of being in the below average and decreasing muscular strength trajectory (relative risk range, 0.45-0.98). Greater physical fitness, physical activity, and fat-free mass, and attending an independent school were associated with a higher likelihood of being in the above average and increasing muscular strength trajectory (relative risk range, 1.03-1.93). In addition to providing health benefits in the short term, physical activity, physical fitness, positive health attitudes, and healthy weight in childhood may lead to better muscular strength in the long term.

Sex-specific cardiometabolic risk markers of left ventricular mass in physically active young adults: the CHIEF heart study

Greater physical fitness may lead to greater left ventricular mass (LVM) and reduce the effect of cardiometabolic risk factors on LVM. However, the cardiometabolic biomarkers associations for LVM have not been clarified in physically active young adults. This study included 2019 men and 253 women, aged 18–43 years, from the military in Taiwan. All participants underwent anthropometric and blood metabolic markers measurements, and completed a 3000-m run test for assessing fitness. LVM was calculated on the basis of an echocardiography. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the sex-specific associations between cardiometabolic risk markers and LVM indexed for the body height (g/m2.7). In men, age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), 3000-m running time, serum triglycerides, serum uric acid and waist circumference (WC) were correlated with LVM index (β = 0.07, 0.10, − 0.01, 0.01, 0.24 and 0.24, respectively; all p-values < 0.05). The correlations were not significant for fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). In women, SBP, HDL-C and WC were correlated with LVM index in the univariate analysis (β = 0.07, − 0.05 and 0.32, respectively; all p-values < 0.05), whereas the correlation was only significant for WC in the multiple linear regression analysis (β = 0.20; p-value < 0.001). In physically active adults, the associations of cardiometabolic risk markers with LVM might vary by sex. Better endurance exercise performance associated with greater LVM was noted only in men, while greater WC was the only metabolic risk marker for greater LVM in both men and women.

The Protective Role of Physical Fitness on Cardiometabolic Risk During Pregnancy: The GESTAtion and FITness Project.

Physical fitness (PF) is a cornerstone of metabolic health. However, its role in maternal-fetal metabolism during pregnancy is poorly understood. The present work investigates: (i)the association of PF with maternal and fetal cardiometabolic markers, and with clustered cardiometabolic risk during pregnancy, and (ii)whether being fit counteracts cardiometabolic abnormalities associated with overweight/obesity. Several PF components (flexibility, lower and upper body strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness [CRF]) were objectively assessed in 151 pregnant women at gestational weeks 16 and 33, and an overall PF cluster score calculated. At the same times, maternal glycemic and lipid markers, cortisol, and C-reactive protein were assessed with standard biochemical methods, along with blood pressure and a proxy for insulin resistance, and a cardiometabolic risk cluster score determined. These analytes were also measured in maternal and umbilical cord arterial and venous blood collected at delivery. PF was found to be associated with several maternal and a small number of fetal cardiometabolic markers (p < .05). Lower and upper body muscle strength, CRF, overall PF (week 16), and CRF changes (weeks 16-33) were inversely associated with clustered cardiometabolic risk (p < .05). Normal weight fit women had lower values for insulin level, insulin resistance, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, C-reactive protein, and diastolic blood pressure than did overweight/obese unfit women at week 16 (p < .05). In conclusion, greater PF, especially muscle strength and CRF in early-middle pregnancy, appears to be associated with a better metabolic phenotype, and may protect against maternal cardiometabolic risk. "Keep yourself fit and normal weight before and during early pregnancy" should be a key public health message.

Associations between Sociodemographic Factors, Lifestyle Behaviors, Pregnancy-Related Determinants, and Mediterranean Diet Adherence among Pregnant Women: The GESTAFIT Project.

We examined sociodemographic factors, lifestyle behaviors, and pregnancy-related determinants associated with adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) during pregnancy. A total of 152 Caucasian pregnant women were included in this cross-sectional study. Dietary habits and MD adherence were assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. Physical activity (PA) levels and physical fitness (PF) components (cardiorespiratory fitness, relative muscle strength, and flexibility) were objectively measured. A clustered overall PF index was calculated. Participants with a high MD adherence were older, had a lower body mass index (BMI), spent more time in moderate–vigorous PA, had a greater overall PF, cardiorespiratory fitness, and relative muscle strength compared to participants with low MD adherence (all, p < 0.05). When we explored factors associated with improved MD adherence with logistic regression analysis, we found that the following factors: lower pre-pregnancy BMI (OR = 2.337; p = 0.026), meeting PA recommendations (OR = 2.377; p = 0.045), higher relative muscle strength (OR = 2.265; p = 0.016), and higher overall PF (OR = 5.202; p = 0.004) increased the chances to adhere to the MD. Older age, lower BMI, greater PF, and meeting PA recommendations were associated with higher MD adherence. These factors should be considered for a better design of educational programs and guidelines focused on improving materno–fetal health status during pregnancy.

Healthy lifestyles and physical fitness are associated with abdominal obesity among Latin-American and Spanish preschool children: A cross-cultural study.

SummaryBackgroundIdentifying environmental factors that influence health in children are necessary to develop preventive strategies.ObjectiveTo determine the association between the lifestyles of children (i.e., Mediterranean diet (MD), physical activity (PA), fitness and screen time (ST) with abdominal obesity (AO) of preschoolers from three Spanish‐speaking countries (Chile, Colombia and Spain) with different socioeconomic levels and Human Development Index (HDI) indicators.Material and MethodsThis cross‐sectional study included 982 schoolchildren (aged 4–6 years; 56.8% girls) from Chile (n = 409), Colombia (n = 281), and Spain (n = 292). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist‐to‐height ratio (WtHR), adherence to the MD, PA, ST and physical fitness were evaluated.ResultsSpanish preschoolers reported a lower WtHR (p < 0.001), greater physical fitness (Z‐score) (p < 0.001) and higher adherence to the MD (p < 0.001) than their Chilean and Colombian peers. In addition, Colombian preschoolers had a better lifestyle (PA + ST) than their Chilean and Spanish peers (p < 0.001). Chilean preschoolers reported a higher prevalence of AO than the Spanish preschoolers (65% vs. 51.9%; p = 0.001).ConclusionLifestyle had a significant association with AO among Spanish‐speaking preschool children, with physical fitness especially being a relevant factor regardless of the country of origin. The findings of the current study may support the development of public guidelines focusing on healthy lifestyles in children to create effective plans that contribute to the early treatment of AO in preschool children.

The favourable association of self-reported physical fitness with depression and anxiety during pregnancy. The GESTAFIT project

ABSTRACT We explored the association of self-reported physical fitness with depressive symptoms and anxiety levels during pregnancy. One hundred fifty-five pregnant women (32.9 ± 4.7 years old) participated in the study. Self-reported physical fitness was assessed with the International Fitness Scale, depressive symptoms and state anxiety levels with the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale and the State Trait Anxiety Index, respectively, at the 16 and 34 weeks of gestation. In model 1 (adjusted for age and gestational weight gain), greater overall self-reported physical fitness was associated with fewer depressive symptoms at the 16 weeks (p = .004). Greater self-reported cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength were associated with lower anxiety levels at the 16 weeks (all, p > .05). Greater overall self-reported physical fitness, cardiorespiratory fitness and speed-agility were associated with lower anxiety levels at the 34 weeks (all, p > .05). These results were also confirmed in model 2 (additionally adjusted for the exercise intervention, sleep quality, educational level, working status and cohabitating), except for cardiorespiratory fitness and anxiety levels at the 16 weeks (p = .09). Greater self-reported physical fitness was associated with lower psychological ill-being during pregnancy. Specifically, at the 16 weeks, greater self-reported overall physical fitness was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, greater self-reported muscular strength with lower anxiety levels; greater self-reported overall physical fitness and speed-agility with lower anxiety levels at the 34 weeks and greater self-reported cardiorespiratory fitness with lower anxiety levels during the pregnancy. Screening of physical fitness may reduce the risk of depression and anxiety and generally improve pregnancy mental health-related quality of life. Highlights Maternal depression and anxiety have prevalence rates between 8 and 36%. Physical fitness enhancement during pregnancy results in less depression and anxiety. Greater physical fitness may provide benefits for the mother mental health. Self-reported physical fitness screening during pregnancy may be useful in clinical settings.

Association of objectively measured physical fitness with health-related quality of life of mid-life women: the FLAMENCO project

Objectives This study aimed to explore the association of physical fitness with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in mid-life women and to examine the potential independent association of physical fitness components with the physical and mental components from the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) in this population. Methods This cross-sectional study comprised 183 mid-life women from southern Spain who participated in the FLAMENCO project. Body composition was measured through an impedanciometer, a stadiometer, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Physical fitness was objectively measured with the Senior Fitness Test battery (cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, and dynamic balance/agility) plus handgrip strength (muscle strength). The SF-36 questionnaire was used to assess HRQoL of the participants. Results All the physical fitness components were associated with the SF-36 physical function (all p < 0.05) except for lower-body flexibility. The rest of the physical fitness components showed associations with most of the SF-36 dimensions (all p < 0.05). Dynamic balance/agility and upper-body flexibility were independently associated with the SF-36 physical component scale, explaining 15% and 17% of the SF-36 physical component scale, respectively. Any physical fitness component showed independent associations with the SF-36 mental component scale. Conclusions Greater physical fitness levels are associated with better HRQoL of mid-life women. Dynamic balance/agility and upper-body flexibility were the strongest independent physical fitness components associated with the SF-36 physical component scale.

Population-based trends in physical fitness of children and adolescents in Germany, 2003–2017

ABSTRACT Physical fitness is an important health resource. From 2003 onwards, the MoMo study, a part of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS), has investigated physical fitness on the basis of nationally representative data. The objective of this paper was to analyse trends in physical fitness of three cohorts at the ages of 4–17 years. Changes within 10 test items of the MoMo-test profile are reported. The mean values of physical fitness and the relevant influencing factors were directly compared across cohorts (in the total group and in age-and sex-subgroups). Statistical significance of differences was examined by calculating the confidence intervals (95% CI) for complex samples; effect sizes were determined using Cohen's d. The results indicated that physical fitness levels of German children and adolescents initially slightly increased between MoMo baseline (2003–2006) and wave 1 (2009–2012). This could partly be attributed to increased physical activity in sports clubs and in extracurricular sports at school. Then, between MoMo wave 1 and MoMo wave 2 (2014–2017) the physical fitness of children and adolescents in Germany remained the same, as did all influencing factors with the exception of extracurricular sport. From a public health perspective, programmes and measures that can increase the chances for all children and adolescents to strive for greater physical fitness should be of the highest priority.

Comportamentos de risco à saúde: uma análise com estudantes da rede pública de ensino

A aptidão física contribui para o desenvolvimento de atividades do cotidiano onde, a prática de exercício físico possui importância significativa na incorporação de um estilo de vida saudável. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar medidas antropométricas e aptidão física de jovens estudantes de escolas públicas, com o intuito de verificar comportamentos de risco entre os mesmos. O procedimento metodológico do estudo foi comparativo descritivo; verificou-se massa corporal, estatura, além da realização de testes de aptidão física relacionados à saúde de 231 estudantes, que foram divididos por sexo e faixa etária para análise. Observou-se que as médias, em sua maioria, encontram-se dentro do esperado como “desejável” para cada faixa etária, porém destacaram-se os níveis máximos e mínimos das variáveis, indicando possíveis exposições a comportamentos de risco relacionados à saúde. Constatou-se que os meninos possuem maior aptidão física referente aos testes de força muscular local e resistência cardiorrespiratória, e os adolescentes de 14 a 17 anos obteve melhores resultados no teste de força muscular local. Com isso, se faz importante construir propostas de intervenções pedagógicas centradas no ensino pela pesquisa, promovendo discussão e reflexão quanto aos hábitos de vida dos jovens.

Physical fitness mediates the association between age and cognition in healthy adults.

Physical fitness is an important contributor to healthy aging that improves cognition. Older adults who engage in cardiorespiratory fitness activities show less cognitive decline. To examine whether physical fitness acts as a potential protective mechanism shielding against the negative associations between age and cognition. Specifically, we examined whether physical fitness mediates the relationship between age and processing speed. 114 (M = 63.80, SD = 10.63) senior executives completed a computerized cognitive battery composed of four processing speed tasks. Level of physical fitness was assessed on a treadmill stress test and reported in metabolic equivalents (METs). Older age was associated with slower processing speed (r = 0.25, p = 0.007), whereas greater physical fitness was associated with faster processing speed (r = -0.30, p = 0.001). Path analysis indicated that the association between age and processing speed was fully mediated by the level of physical fitness (Indirect effect: β = 0.10, p = 0.008; Direct effect: β = 0.16, p = 0.20). The findings indicate that physical fitness is a strong mediator of the relationship between age and processing speed and imply that physical fitness makes a major contribution to cognitive reserve during the aging process. The results may suggest that the decrease in physical fitness during aging may partially account for slower cognitive processing.

Association of self-reported physical fitness with pain during pregnancy: The GESTAFIT Project.

To explore the association of self-reported physical fitness with bodily, lumbar and sciatic pain, and pain disability during pregnancy. The present study sample comprised 159 pregnant women (32.9±4.7years old). Self-reported physical fitness was assessed with the International Fitness Scale (IFIS), where higher scores indicate greater physical fitness. Bodily pain was assessed with the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), where higher scores indicate lower pain. Lumbar and sciatic pain were measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS). The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire was employed to assess the disability resulting from pain. Measures were assessed at 16th and 34th gestational weeks(g. w.). Pregnant women showed low-moderate pain during pregnancy course. Most of them showed medium self-reported overall physical fitness. At 16th g. w., greater self-reported overall physical fitness and cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with less bodily and lumbar pain, and pain disability (all, P<0.05). Greater muscular strength was associated with less bodily pain and pain disability (both, P<0.05). Greater speed-agility was associated with less bodily pain (P<0.01) and less pain disability (P<0.05). Self-reported flexibility was not associated with any outcome (P>0.05). At 34th g. w., greater overall physical fitness and its components were associated with less bodily and sciatic pain (all, P<0.05). Greater self-reported overall physical fitness and its components are associated with less bodily, lumbar and sciatic pain, and reduced pain disability during pregnancy. Future studies are needed to explore whether increasing physical fitness before and during pregnancy could decrease pain in this relevant stage.