Health-related Fitness Test Battery Research Articles

Role of physical activity and health-related fitness on self-confidence and interpersonal relations in 14-year-old adolescents from secondary school settings: DADOS study.

The effect of physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) on self-confidence and interpersonal relations in adolescents is uncertain. To analyzed the associations of PA and PF with self-confidence and interpersonal relations in adolescents. A total of 268 (138 boys) adolescents (13.9 ± 0.3 years) from the DADOS study were included in the analysis. PA was evaluated using GENEActiv accelerometers and the health-related PF components by the ALPHA health-related fitness test battery. The levels of self-confidence and interpersonal relations were determined by the Behavior Assessment System for Children Level 3. The associations of PA levels and PF components with self-confidence reported positive associations of moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA), standing long jump, and 20-m shuttle run (shuttle run test) tests (all p < 0.05), and negative association of 4 × 10-m shuttle run test (4 × 10-m test), but only the 4 × 10-m test remained significant in the adjusted model for the whole sample and only in boys (p ≤ 0.01) when analyzed by sex. Regarding interpersonal relations, positive associations of standing long jump and shuttle run test (all p < 0.05), and negative association of 4 × 10-mtest were found in all the adolescents. The shuttle run test was associated with interpersonal relations in boys independently of confounders. PA levels were not associated with interpersonal relations. A higher level of lower-limb muscle strength, speed-agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness might improve self-confidence and interpersonal relations in adolescents, but these relationships seem to be influenced by sex, body mass index, and pubertal status. Speed-agility and cardiorespiratory fitness seem to have a stronger impact on boys. MVPA may improve self-confidence in adolescents.

Longitudinal associations of movement behaviours with body composition and physical fitness from 4 to 9 years of age: structural equation and mediation analysis with compositional data

BackgroundThe associations of movement behaviours (physical activity [PA], sedentary behaviour [SB], and sleep) with body composition and physical fitness from pre-school to childhood, as well as the direction of the associations, could provide important information for healthy lifestyle promotion in children. This study investigated the longitudinal and bidirectional associations of movement behaviours with body composition and physical fitness measured at 4 and 9 years of age.MethodsThis longitudinal study included baseline (n = 315, 4.5 [SD = 0.1] years) and follow-up data (n = 231, 9.6 [SD = 0.1] years) from the MINISTOP study. Movement behaviours were measured for 7 days using wrist-worn accelerometers, body composition with air-displacement plethysmography, and physical fitness with the ALPHA health-related fitness test battery. Cross-lagged panel models and mediation analyses were performed in combination with compositional data analysis.ResultsWe did not observe direct associations of the movement behaviours at 4 years with either body composition or physical fitness at 9 years (all P > 0.05). However, fat mass index at 4 years was negatively associated with vigorous PA (VPA), relative to remaining behaviours (VPA, β = − 0.22, P = 0.002) and light PA (LPA), relative to SB and sleep (β = − 0.19, P = 0.016) at 9 years. VPA (relative to remaining), moderate PA (MPA) (relative to LPA, SB, and sleep), and SB (relative to sleep) tracked from 4 to 9 years (all β ≥ 0.17, all P < 0.002), and these behaviours shared variance with fat mass index (all|β| ≥ 0.19, all P < 0.019), and aerobic, motor, and muscular fitness (all|β| ≥ 0.19, all P < 0.014) at 9 years. Mediation analysis suggested that the tracking of VPA (relative to remaining behaviours) from 4 to 9 years was negatively associated with fat mass index (β ≥ − 0.45, P = 0.012), and positively with aerobic fitness at 9 years (β ≥ 1.64, P = 0.016).ConclusionPA and SB tracked from the pre-school years into childhood. Fat mass index at 4 years of age was negatively associated with VPA (relative to remaining behaviours) and LPA (relative to SB and sleep) at 9 years of age. The tracking of VPA was associated with lower fat mass index and higher aerobic fitness at 9 years of age. These findings suggest that higher levels of VPA in pre-school age, if maintained throughout childhood, may support the development of healthy body composition and aerobic fitness levels in later childhood.

Prospective Associations of Physical Activity and Health-Related Physical Fitness in Adolescents with Down Syndrome: The UP&DOWN Longitudinal Study.

(1) Background: Numerous studies have focused on examining the association between PA levels and health-related physical fitness components in children or adolescents without disabilities. However, research on the association between PA and health-related physical fitness in adolescents with DS (Down syndrome) is limited, and most of the previous studies have been developed with a cross-sectional perspective. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the prospective association of accelerometer-based PA at baseline with health-related physical fitness at a 2-year follow-up in a relatively large sample of adolescents with DS from the UP&DOWN study. (2) Methods: A total of 92 adolescents with DS (58 males) between 11 and 20 years old with full data were eligible from an initial sample of 110 participants. Fitness was assessed by the ALPHA health-related fitness test battery for youth, and physical activity was assessed by Actigraph accelerometers. (3) Results: The high tertile of total PA was related to decreased motor (Beta [95% CI] = −1.46 [−2.88; −0.05]) and cardiorespiratory fitness (Beta [95% CI] = −2.22 [−4.42; 0.02]) in adolescents with DS. (4) Conclusions: In adolescents with DS, (i) PA level was not prospectively associated with muscular fitness and (ii) high levels of total PA at the baseline were inversely associated with motor and cardiorespiratory fitness at the 2-year follow-up. For comparative purposes, these relationships were also examined in a subsample of adolescents without DS.

Physical fitness, hippocampal functional connectivity and academic performance in children with overweight/obesity: The ActiveBrains project

ObjectivesPhysical fitness is a modifiable factor associated with enhanced brain health during childhood. To our knowledge, the present study is the first to examine: (i) whether physical fitness components (i.e., cardiorespiratory, motor and muscular fitness) are associated with resting state functional connectivity of hippocampal seeds to different cortical regions in children with overweight/obesity, and (ii) whether resting state hippocampal functional connectivity is coupled with better academic performance. Patients and methodsIn this cross-sectional study, a total of 99 children with overweight/obesity aged 8–11 years were recruited from Granada, Spain (November 2014 to February 2016). The physical fitness components were assessed following the ALPHA health-related fitness test battery. T1-weighted and resting-state fMRI images were acquired with a 3.0 Tesla Siemens Magnetom Tim Trio system. Academic performance was assessed by the Woodcock-Muñoz standardized test. Hippocampal seed-based procedures with post-hoc regression analyses were performed. ResultsIn the fully adjusted models, cardiorespiratory fitness was independently associated with greater hippocampal connectivity between anterior hippocampus and frontal regions (β ranging from 0.423 to 0.424, p < 0.001). Motor fitness was independently associated with diminished hippocampal connectivity between posterior hippocampus and frontal regions (β ranging from −0.583 to −0.694, p < 0.001). However, muscular fitness was not independently associated with hippocampal functional connectivity. Positive resting state hippocampal functional connectivity was related to better written expression (β ranging from 0.209 to 0.245; p < 0.05). ConclusionsPhysical fitness components may associate with functional connectivity between hippocampal subregions and frontal regions, independent of hippocampal volume, in children with overweight/obesity. Particularly, cardiorespiratory fitness may enhance anterior hippocampal functional connectivity and motor fitness may diminish posterior hippocampal functional connectivity. In addition, resting state hippocampal functional connectivity may relate to better written expression.

Longitudinal associations of physical fitness and body mass index with academic performance.

No studies have analyzed the longitudinal associations of change in physical fitness components and obesity with academic performance. The aim of the study was to examine longitudinal associations of changes in physical fitness components and body mass index with academic performance among youth, and whether the physical fitness components are moderators of the longitudinal association between obesity and academic performance in youth. Longitudinal analyses (2years) included 1802 youths. Physical fitness components were assessed following the ALPHA health-related fitness test battery. Academic performance was assessed via school records. Youth in the persistently high cardiorespiratory fitness and motor ability categories (ie, fit at baseline and at 2-year follow-up) had higher academic performance at follow-up than those in the persistently low category. Further, youth with normal weight at baseline and overweight/obesity at follow-up had lower academic performance scores at follow-up compared to those with normal weight. Also, cardiorespiratory fitness may ameliorate the negative influence of excess body mass index on academic performance at follow-up. Promoting physical activity programs at school that include both aerobic exercise and motor tasks to improve physical fitness and reduce body mass index may not only improve physical health, but also contribute toward successful academic development.

Bidirectional longitudinal associations of fatness with physical fitness in adolescents with Down syndrome. The UP&DOWN Longitudinal study.

The aim of this study was to examine the bidirectional longitudinal associations of several markers of fatness and physical fitness in adolescents with Down syndrome. This study comprised a total of 111 adolescents (41 females), aged from 11 to 20years with complete data at the baseline. We had a drop-out of <10% from the baseline to the 2-year follow-up. The ALPHA health-related fitness test battery for youth was used. Our results show that all fatness variables at the baseline were associated with a 2-year change in cardiorespiratory fitness (β ranging from -0.32 to -0.38; all p<.05), but not with muscular and motor fitness (p>.05). However, no associations were found between physical fitness components as predictors and fatness indicators (p>.05). Results suggest that reducing fatness during adolescence might represent a modifiable factor to improve cardiorespiratory fitness at the 2-year follow-up, but not vice versa since associations were not bidirectional.

Association between Health-Related Physical Fitness and Self-Rated Risk of Depression in Adolescents: Dados Study.

Depression is the most common mental disorder, affecting around 5% of adolescents. Physical fitness is considered a powerful marker of physical and mental health. The scientific results on the relationship between physical fitness and depression in the adolescent population are mixed. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to analyse the association between objectively assessed physical fitness and self-rated risk of depression in a group of adolescents. A total of 225 participants (44% girls), aged 13.9 ± 0.3 years, from the Deporte, ADOlescencia y Salud (DADOS) study were included in the analyses. Field-based Assessing Levels of Physical fitness and Health in Adolescents (ALPHA) health-related fitness test battery was used to objectively assess physical fitness components. The Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC) level 3 was used to evaluate self-rated risk of depression. Our results showed that self-rated risk of depression was inversely associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (β = −0.172), as well as positively associated with body mass index (β = 0.146) and waist circumference (β = 0.137) (all p < 0.05). Adolescents with low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness had significantly higher odds of self-rated risk of depression (OR = 7.17; 95% CI, 1.51–33.95). These findings suggest that health-related physical fitness, particularly cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition, is associated with depression in adolescents.

Students’ attitudes towards and experiences of the Youth-fit health-related fitness test battery

The aim of this study was to examine secondary school students’ attitudes towards and experiences of a student-centred health-related fitness test battery. A total of 795 adolescents (403 boys, 50.7%; 392 girls, 49.3%) aged 13.2 years (±0.39) from 20 secondary schools in the Republic of Ireland participated in the study. Schools were stratified for gender, location and educational (dis)advantage. Students completed the test battery in small groups ( n = ≤6) and each test item was administered by a trained senior student facilitator. Testing took place during physical education lessons. Test items included: body mass index; 20 m shuttle run; back-saver sit and reach; hand-grip strength; standing long jump; isometric plank-hold; 90° push-up; 4×10 m shuttle run; and blood pressure. Following participation in the test battery, students completed an instrument with valid scores for measuring attitudes towards fitness tests. Students’ experiences of each test item were also analysed. Overall, students had a positive attitude towards fitness testing ( M = 3.9, ±0.59) on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Although both positive, the mean attitude score for boys ( M = 4.05, ±0.59) was significantly higher than girls ( M = 3.79, ±0.59; p &lt; 0.01, t-test). Most students ( n = 690, 86.8%) agreed or strongly agreed that the senior student facilitator made it easier for them to perform the tests. In conclusion, students had positive attitudes towards and experiences of the Youth-fit test battery. Physical education teachers should consider implementing a small-group and senior student-facilitated approach when administering fitness tests.

Changes in Body Composition and Physical Fitness in Adolescents with Down Syndrome: The UP&DOWN Longitudinal Study.

Background: Adolescents with Down syndrome (DS) demonstrate higher values of body composition and lower levels of physical fitness when compared with their peers with typically developing (TD) or their peers with intellectual disability but without DS. Objective: To examine, during a 2-year period, changes in indicators of body composition and physical fitness components in TD adolescents and adolescents with DS. Methods: Hundred adolescents with DS (64 males) aged 11-20 years old were matched by sex to 163 TD adolescents (108 males) aged 12-18. Indicators of body composition were determined by body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, skinfolds, and percentage of body fat (%BF). Components of physical fitness were assessed by the Assessing Level of Physical Activity (ALPHA) health-related fitness test battery for youth. Results: In the 2-year follow-up, significant (p < 0.05) decreases in BMI and increases in cardiorespiratory fitness and handgrip strength were seen for both groups; decreases in %BF were only seen for participants with DS; and increases in standing long jump were seen only for TD adolescents. Conclusions: Results indicate that during the 2-year study period, there were significant decreases in BMI and significant increases in handgrip strength and cardiorespiratory fitness in the TD group. For participants with DS, there was a significant decrease in %BF. However, participants with DS did not exhibit improvements in physical fitness.

Fitness, cortical thickness and surface area in overweight/obese children: The mediating role of body composition and relationship with intelligence

Cortical thickness and surface area are thought to be genetically unrelated and shaped by independent neurobiological events suggesting that they should be considered separately in morphometric analyses. Although the developmental trajectories of cortical thickness and surface area may differ across brain regions and ages, there is no consensus regarding the relationships of physical fitness with cortical thickness and surface area as well as for its subsequent influence on intelligence. Thus, this study examines: (i) the associations of physical fitness components (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness, speed-agility and muscular fitness) with overall and regional cortical thickness and surface area; (ii) whether body composition indicators (i.e., body mass index, fat-free mass index and fat mass index) mediate these associations; and (iii) the association of physical fitness and cortical thickness with intelligence in overweight/obese children. A total of 101 overweight/obese children aged 8–11 years were recruited in Granada, Spain. The physical fitness components were assessed following the ALPHA health-related fitness test battery. T1-weighted images were acquired with a 3.0 Tesla Siemens Magnetom Tim Trio system. We used FreeSurfer software version 5.3.0 to assess cortical thickness (mm) and surface area (mm2). The main results showed that cardiorespiratory fitness and speed-agility were related to overall cortical thickness (β = 0.321 and β = 0.302, respectively; both P < 0.05), and in turn, cortical thickness was associated with higher intelligence (β = 0.198, P < 0.05). Muscular fitness was not related to overall cortical thickness. None of the three physical fitness components were related to surface area (p > 0.05). The associations of cardiorespiratory fitness and speed-agility with overall cortical thickness were mediated by fat mass index (56.86% & 62.28%, respectively). In conclusion, cardiorespiratory fitness and speed-agility, but not muscular fitness, are associated with overall cortical thickness, and in turn, thicker brain cortex is associated with higher intelligence in overweight/obese children. Yet, none of the three physical fitness components were related to surface area. Importantly, adiposity may hinder the benefits of cardiorespiratory fitness and speed-agility on cortical thickness. Understanding individual differences in brain morphology may have important implications for educators and policy makers who aim to determine policies and interventions to maximize academic learning and occupational success later in life.

Exit School and its Outcomes on Health-Related Fitness

Summary School-based interventions are thought to be the most universally applicable and effective way to counteract low physical activity (PA) and fitness. Whereas Exit school it is not included. Method: For purpose, this controlled study verified the effect of Leaving school on the health relate to fitness among the unschooled. Results: Based on the validity of alpha health-related fitness test battery, the design of study and statistical processes applied within search limitation. Our results caution against school dropouts on levels of health relate to fitness among the unschooled. Admit in five motor abilities namely strength, speed, endurance, flexibility and coordinative abilities, according to present study. Reported in the benefit of student scholar as an active lifestyle. Conclusion: our results recommended all the Algerian dropouts-students to know the overall impact of participating and being involved in outdoor sport activities, subjected in this study as getting positive effects regarding active lifestyle, which in turn helps dropouts-students, to achieve a health-enhancing level of physical fitness and preventing them from disorders like obesity, laziness and stress related to life and their complication. A truth that leads us to recommended our teachers to understand the benefits of outdoor education sport or pro-socials activities contents as part of young people's educational experiences, to structure their free time in beneficial activities, including recreation, academic and cultural enrichment, opportunities for pursuit of individual interests and volunteer activities, especially before being expelled from their school.

Physical fitness among 6th grade students and evaluation with the normative reference values

The objective of this study was to compare Estonian 6th grade students’ physical fitness level with normative values from ALPHA fitness test and international normative 20 m shuttle run values. The following healthrelated fitness components were assessed: cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance and speed, as a skillrelated fitness component. Physical fitness results were evaluated with the ALPHA health-related fitness test battery for children and adolescents and with normative 20 m shuttle run values. Students from 6th grade (n=178) participated in the study. Physical fitness performance was not signi ficantly different between boys and girls, except for flexibility and upper body muscle strength and endurance. Boys’ percentage in very low and low level was higher on every test compared to girls’ results based on normative values. The results of the research indicate the importance to measure the physical fitness of schoolchildren and to compare them with the evaluation scales to plan and carry out more PE lessons focusing on physical fitness development. Further research is needed to evaluate students’ physical fitness levels among different age groups. Physical fitness development is urgently needed and should be included in school curriculum.

A Cluster Analysis and Validation of Health-Related Fitness Tests in College Students

Because health-related fitness consists of several domains, understanding clustering of scores from a testing battery can help practitioners derive exercise programs. The purpose of this study was to explore the clustering of health-related fitness test scores in college students and to validate the solution against criterion measures. Participants were college students (Mean age = 19.2 0.6 years; N = 523; 342 females, 181 males) recruited from a university in the southwestern U.S. The health-related fitness assessments consisted of BMI, estimated VO2 Peak from the Astrand-Ryhming cycle ergometer test, and a standard push-up test. Criterion measures consisted of DXA-assessed percent body fat (%BF), measured VO2 Peak from a maximal treadmill test, and a 1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM) bench press score. A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to derive groupings. One-way ANOVA tests were used to explore the differences among the derived cluster groups on each criterion measure. Six cluster groups were formed representing various fitness “phenotypes” (Pseudo-F = 179.7). The cluster groups differed in %BF (F(5, 517) = 44.6, p 2 Peak (F(5, 517) = 49.7, p p cluster groups were formed from a health-related fitness test battery in college students that were validated against criterion measures of health-related fitness. The cluster groups can be used to inform current fitness status and for derivation of exercise programs.

A whole brain volumetric approach in overweight/obese children: Examining the association with different physical fitness components and academic performance. The ActiveBrains project

Obesity, as compared to normal weight, is associated with detectable structural differences in the brain. To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has examined the association of physical fitness with gray matter volume in overweight/obese children using whole brain analyses. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the association between the key components of physical fitness (i.e. cardiorespiratory fitness, speed-agility and muscular fitness) and brain structural volume, and to assess whether fitness-related changes in brain volumes are related to academic performance in overweight/obese children. A total of 101 overweight/obese children aged 8–11 years were recruited from Granada, Spain. The physical fitness components were assessed following the ALPHA health-related fitness test battery. T1-weighted images were acquired with a 3.0 T S Magnetom Tim Trio system. Gray matter tissue was calculated using Diffeomorphic Anatomical Registration Through Exponentiated Lie algebra (DARTEL). Academic performance was assessed by the Batería III Woodcock-Muñoz Tests of Achievement. All analyses were controlled for sex, peak high velocity offset, parent education, body mass index and total brain volume. The statistical threshold was calculated with AlphaSim and further Hayasaka adjusted to account for the non-isotropic smoothness of structural images. The main results showed that higher cardiorespiratory fitness was related to greater gray matter volumes (P < 0.001, k = 64) in 7 clusters with β ranging from 0.493 to 0.575; specifically in frontal regions (i.e. premotor cortex and supplementary motor cortex), subcortical regions (i.e. hippocampus and caudate), temporal regions (i.e. inferior temporal gyrus and parahippocampal gyrus) and calcarine cortex. Three of these regions (i.e. premotor cortex, supplementary motor cortex and hippocampus) were related to better academic performance (β ranging from 0.211 to 0.352; all P < 0.05). Higher speed-agility was associated with greater gray matter volumes (P < 0.001, k = 57) in 2 clusters (i.e. the inferior frontal gyrus and the superior temporal gyrus) with β ranging from 0.564 to 0.611. Both clusters were related to better academic performance (β ranging from 0.217 to 0.296; both P < 0.05). Muscular fitness was not independently associated with greater gray matter volume in any brain region. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant negative association between any component of physical fitness and gray matter volume in any region of the brain. In conclusion, cardiorespiratory fitness and speed-agility, but not muscular fitness, may independently be associated with greater volume of numerous cortical and subcortical brain structures; besides, some of these brain structures may be related to better academic performance. Importantly, the identified associations of fitness and gray matter volume were different for each fitness component. These findings suggest that increases in cardiorespiratory fitness and speed-agility may positively influence the development of distinctive brain regions and academic indicators, and thus counteract the harmful effect of overweight and obesity on brain structure during childhood.

Physical Fitness Components And Cortical And Subcortical Brain Volume In Overweight/obese Children

PURPOSE: To examine the association between the key components of physical fitness (i.e. cardiorespiratory fitness, speed-agility and muscular fitness) and brain structural volume in overweight/obese children. METHODS: A total of 101 overweight/obese children aged 8-11 years were recruited from Granada, Spain. The physical fitness components were assessed following the ALPHA health-related fitness test battery. T1-weighted images were acquired with a 3.0 Tesla Siemens Magnetom Tim Trio system. Gray matter tissue was calculated using Diffeomorphic Anatomical Registration Through Exponentiated Lie algebra (DARTEL). All analyses were controlled for sex, peak high velocity offset, parent education, body mass index and total brain volume. The statistical threshold was calculated with AlphaSim and further Hayasaka adjusted to account for the non-isotropic smoothness of structural images. RESULTS: Cardiorespiratory fitness was related to greater gray matter volumes (P< 0.001, k=58) in 9 out of all regions with β ranging from 0.493 to 0.584; specifically in frontal regions (i.e. premotor cortex and medial primary motor cortex), superior parietal cortex, subcortical regions (i.e. hippocampus and caudate), temporal regions (i.e. middle and inferior temporal gyri and parahippocampal gyrus) and calcarine cortex. Speed-agility was associated with greater gray matter volumes (P< 0.001, k=54) in 2 regions (i.e. the inferior frontal gyrus and the superior temporal gyrus) with β ranging from 0.564 to 0.611. Muscular fitness was not independently associated with greater gray matter volume in any brain regions. No brain regions showed statistically significant negative associations between components of physical fitness and gray matter volume. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiorespiratory fitness and speed-agility, but not muscular fitness, might independently be associated with greater volume of numerous cortical and subcortical brain structures. Importantly, those associated brain structures are different for each fitness component. These findings suggest that the development of cardiorespiratory fitness and speed-agility might positively affect development of distinctive brain regions and contribute to counteract the harmful effect of overweight and obesity on brain structure during childhood.

The ALPHA health-related physical fitness test battery for children and adolescents.

1present the new health-related fitness test battery for youth based upon the work developed by the ALPHA (Assessing Levels of Physical Activity) study. The ALPHA was a study funded by the European Union (http://sites.google.com/site/alphaprojectphysicalactivity/Home) aimed “to provide a set of instruments for assessing levels of physical activity, its underlying factors (e.g. build environment, transport, and workplace), as well as, fitness in a comparable way within the European Union”. The work presented in this issue by Ruiz and colleagues relates to the working package 6 of the ALPHA project —Assessing Healthrelated Physical Fitness— aimed to “provide a set of valid, reliable, feasible and safe field-based fitness tests for assessment of health-related physical fitness in children and adolescents to be use in public health monitoring in a comparable way within the European Union”. At a population level, the regular screening of physical activity and physical fitness (including body composition) levels should be considered a public health priority, as the lack of physical activity and/or physical fitness are implicated in the aetiology and prevalence of several non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer and their risk factors (high blood pressure, raised blood sugar and overweight), affecting the general health population worldwide. 2

Associations of physical activity with fatness and fitness in adolescents with Down syndrome: The UP&DOWN study.

The aim of the present study was to examine the associations of objectively measured physical activity (PA) with several markers of fatness and fitness in a relatively large sample of adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). This study comprised a total of 100 adolescents with DS (37 females) aged 11-20 years-old, and a sex-matched sample of 100 adolescents without disabilities, participating in the UP&DOWN study. The ALPHA health-related fitness test battery for adolescents was used to assess fatness and fitness. PA was measured by accelerometry. Adolescents with DS had higher fatness and significantly lower fitness levels in all variables measured than adolescents without DS (all p<0.05). Moderate-to-large effects were observed in fatness variables (d=0.65-1.42), but particularly large values were found in fitness variables (d=2.05-2.43). In addition, PA levels was not associated with fatness variables, whereas total PA and vigorous PA were associated with all fitness variables (p<0.05), and moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) was associated with muscular fitness (p<0.05), after adjusting for potential confounders. Further analysis revealed that there were differences in fitness by tertiles of vigorous PA between the lowest and the highest groups in all fitness variables (all p<0.05). However, no significant differences were found in fitness by tertiles of MVPA according with PA guidelines (≥60min in MVPA). Our findings indicate that PA levels are not associated with fatness variables, whereas high PA levels, in particular vigorous PA, are positively associated with high fitness in adolescents with DS.

A contribution to the validation of the Wii Balance Board for the assessment of standing balance

Valid and reliable accessible measures of balance are required in a health-related fitness test battery, both in the general population and in groups with special needs. For this purpose, the capability of the Wii Balance Board (WBB) in evaluating standing balance was analysed and compared with a laboratory-graded force platform (FP). A 30-s double limb standing test with open and closed eyes was performed by 28 individuals (12 male and 16 female, mean age = 23.8, SD = ±2.7 years). A simple method of acquisition of the centre of pressure (CoP) over time was applied to compare WBB and FP simultaneously on the same signal. User-defined software was developed to obtain the CoP from WBB over time and the resulting related measures and graphical representations. The comparison of measures, such as sway path and maximum oscillations along the anterior–posterior and medial–lateral direction, obtained with the FP and the WBB shows that the latter, in conjunction with the user-defined developed software, can be appropriate, considering prescribed limits, and an easy-to-use tool for evaluating standing balance.

Reliability of the ALPHA Health-Related Fitness Test Battery in Adolescents With Down Syndrome

The Assessing Levels of Physical Activity (ALPHA) health-related fitness test battery is a set of reliable, valid, and feasible tests to assess health-related physical fitness in children and in adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability of this battery in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). The extended ALPHA health-related fitness test battery was performed twice within 1 month in 17 apparently healthy adolescents, aged 12-18 years, with DS who had an intelligence quotient ≥ 35. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determinate test-retest reliability, and nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare mean differences between measurements. With the exception of subscapular skinfold test, which obtained a moderate agreement (ICC = 0.64), all tests had a very high reliability: the 20-m shuttle-run test (ICC = 0.86), the right handgrip strength test (ICC = 0.86), the left handgrip strength test (ICC = 0.86), the standing broad jump test (ICC = 0.85), body mass index (ICC = 0.95), waist circumference (ICC = 0.98), triceps skinfold (ICC = 0.85), and the 4 × 10-m shuttle-run test (ICC = 0.92). There were no significant differences (all p > 0.05) in any of the tests. The ALPHA health-related fitness battery is reliable for measuring health-related components of fitness in adolescents with DS.

Are poor physical fitness and obesity two features of the adolescent with Down syndrome?

"Obesity" is considered a feature of youth with DS but whether "low physical fitness" is also a feature is unknown. The aim of this case-control study was to compare the levels of fatness and fitness in adolescents with and without DS. Participants included 17 (5 girls) adolescents with DS aged 12-18 years and a control group of 94 (45 girls) adolescents without DS aged 12-16 years. The ALPHA health-related fitness test battery for children and adolescents was selected to assess fatness and fitness in both groups. There were no differences in levels of fatness between groups (all P > 0.27). Adolescents with DS had lower levels of fitness in all the tests than adolescents without DS (all P < 0.001). Adolescents with DS have similar levels of fatness and lower levels of fitness than their peers without DS.