Health-related Fitness Measures Research Articles

Associations Between Measures of Health-Related Fitness, and Metabolic Function In College Students

Associations Between Measures of Health-Related Fitness, and Metabolic Function In College Students

A clinic-supported group exercise program for head and neck cancer survivors: managing cancer and treatment side effects to improve quality of life.

The purpose of the evaluation of this clinic-supported 12-week progressive strength-training program was to assess the feasibility and impact of an exercise intervention for head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors. Recruitment and adherence feasibility, as well as health-related fitness measures and patient-reported symptom management were assessed on the 21 HNC survivors in the exercise program. Overall, this program was feasible, as indicated by recruitment, adherence, and safety outcomes. Survivors experienced improved acute symptom management over the period of one exercise class for tiredness, depression, anxiety, drowsiness, and overall wellbeing. Over the course of the program, survivors experienced significant improvements in physical functioning outcomes and improved management of tiredness and fatigue. A progressive strength-training program is feasible for HNC survivors on and following treatment and is associated with improved acute and chronic fitness outcomes and symptom management.

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the Fit4Fun intervention for improving physical fitness in a sample of primary school children: a pilot study

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a school-based physical fitness intervention (Fit4Fun) on the physical fitness and physical activity (PA) levels of primary school children. Methods: A group-randomized controlled trial with a 3-month wait-list control group was conducted in two primary schools in the Hunter Region, NSW, Australia. Participants (n = 48 students; mean age = 10.9 years ± 0.7) were randomized by the schools into the Fit4Fun intervention (n = 32 students) or the control (n = 17) conditions. Fit4Fun was an 8-week programme that included: 8 × 60 min health and physical education (HPE) lessons, a break-time activity programme (recess and lunch) and a home fitness programme. The control group participated in their usual weekly 60 min HPE lessons. Assessments were taken at baseline and post-intervention (8-week) to determine changes in health-related fitness (HRF) levels, PA and attitudes towards HRF testing. Objectively measured PA (mean steps/day) was assessed using 7 days of pedometery and HRF was assessed using a battery of tests including: seven-stage sit-up test, push-up test, basketball throw, wall squat, sit and reach, shoulder stretch, 20 m shuttle test, and height and weight measurements. A questionnaire was also administered to assess perceptions of physical fitness and physical fitness testing and changes in attitudes to fitness testing. Intervention effects were assessed using analysis of covariance and Cohen's d effect sizes are reported. Results: Children in the intervention group improved in all HRF measures with significant group × time effects (p < 0.05) observed in the seven-stage sit-up test (d = 0.9), the sit and reach tests (right leg d = 1.0, left leg d = 0.9, both legs d = 1.1) and the wall squat tests (right leg d = 0.9, left leg d = 0.6). No significant group × time effect was found in the beep test, basketball throw, PA measure or psychological measures. The control group did not display significant within-group effects for any measure. Conclusions: Results indicate that a multi-component HRF intervention for primary school children that targeted the three areas of a health-promoting school and incorporated social support for participation in physical fitness activities was feasible and efficacious in improving muscular fitness and flexibility levels of children. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry No: ACTRN12610000642088.

Tai Chi’s Effects on Health-Related Fitness of Low-Income Older Adults

Tai chi (TC) has been shown to positively influence health-related fitness (HRF) of elderly participants by affording them a means to increase musculoskeletal strength. The objective of this study was to examine TC intervention effects on HRF and whether ethnic groups not culturally related to TC experienced a barrier to participation in a community-based program for low-income older adults. Seventy-eight older mixed-ethnicity adults (age 55 and older) who were not culturally affiliated with TC were recruited for this study. HRF measures were taken before and after a 16-week TC program that offered seven sessions per week. Significant improvements were found in upper and lower musculoskeletal fitness and partial curl-ups, with TC being embraced by the participants. These results suggest that TC can be effective for improving HRF and that non-TC culturally related ethnic groups did not experience a barrier to participation in an older low-socioeconomic population sample.

Changes in Physical Activity and Fitness After 3 Months of Home Wii Fit™ Use

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in physical activity and fitness variables in members of 8 volunteer families after 3 months of home use of the Wii Fit™ interactive video game. Pre and postintervention measurements were obtained from 21 subjects relative to physical activity (5 days of accelerometry), aerobic fitness (graded treadmill test), muscular fitness (push-ups), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), balance (composite equilibrium score), and body composition (body mass index and % body fat). Use characteristics of the Wii Fit™ device were also determined. A series of 2 (age group) × 2 (time) repeated measures analyses of variance were conducted to assess changes over time and between adults and children. Three months of home Wii Fit™ use revealed no significant age group × time interactions or main effects of group or time for daily physical activity, muscular fitness, flexibility, balance, or body composition. An age group × time interaction (p = 0.04) was observed in peak VO2 (ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) with children displaying a significant (p = 0.03) increase after 3 months of Wii Fit™ use, whereas adults showed no significant (p = 0.50) change. Daily Wii Fit™ use per household declined by 82% (p < 0.01) from 21.5 ± 9.0 min·d(-1) during the first 6 weeks to 3.9 ± 4.0 min·d(-1) during the second 6 weeks. Most measures of health-related fitness in this exploratory study remained unchanged after 3 months of home use of the popular Wii Fit™ whole-body movement interactive video game. Modest daily Wii Fit™ use may have provided insufficient stimulus for fitness changes.

Test–retest reliability of a battery of field-based health-related fitness measures for adolescents

The main aim of this study was to determine the test–retest reliability of existing tests of health-related fitness. Participants (mean age 14.8 years, s = 0.4) were 42 boys and 26 girls who completed the study assessments on two occasions separated by one week. The following tests were conducted: bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to calculate percent body fat, leg dynamometer, 90° push-up, 7-stage sit-up, and wall squat tests. Intra-class correlation (ICC), paired samples t-tests, and typical error expressed as a coefficient of variation were calculated. The mean percent body fat intra-class correlation coefficient was similar for boys (ICC = 0.95) and girls (ICC = 0.93), but the mean coefficient of variation was considerably higher for boys than girls (22.2% vs. 12.2%). The boys' coefficients of variation for the tests of muscular fitness ranged from 9.0% for the leg dynamometer test to 26.5% for the timed wall squat test. The girls' coefficients of variation ranged from 17.1% for the sit-up test to 21.4% for the push-up test. Although the BIA machine produced reliable estimates of percent body fat, the tests of muscular fitness resulted in high systematic error, suggesting that these measures may require an extensive familiarization phase before the results can be considered reliable.

Reliability and Validity of the FITNESSGRAM®

The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality (reliability and validity) of large-scale fitness testing in Texas and determine if reliabilities and validities were related to potential confounding variables. Four test administration scenarios were conducted to investigate the quality of data collected statewide as part of the Texas Youth Evaluation Project. Teachers and/or expert test administrators tested individual students (N = 1,010) on two occasions. Criterion-referenced reliabilities were very good to generally acceptable for all FITNESSGRAM® test items, with musculoskeletal items having the lowest reliabilities. The validity of teacheradministered tests was good. Reliability and validity of teacher-obtained health-related fitness measures were generally unrelated to potentially confounding student or school characteristics. Administrators, teachers, parents, and students can feel comfortable with the reliability and validity of the statewide health-related fitness testing in Texas.

The Impact of a Pilot Community Intervention on Health-Related Fitness Measures in Overweight Children

The purpose of this study was to pilot a 5-week community-based intervention on improving measures of health-related fitness in overweight children. Data were obtained from 8 overweight and obese 8- to 14-year-old children. Measurements included muscular fitness (curl-ups and modified pull-ups), aerobic capacity (20 meter progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run [PACER] test), body composition (tricep and calf skinfolds), body mass index (BMI), and flexibility (back saver sit-and-reach). A significant reduction in BMI was observed at post-test compared to baseline (p = .03). There was a significant decrease in body fat at post-test for boys (p = .013).

Physical fitness and health indices in children, adolescents and adults with high or low motor competence

The overall purpose of the study was to examine if individuals with low motor competence achieve age-adequate fitness and health. A group of 149 children, adolescents, and adults with low or high motor competence participated in motor, fitness, and health assessments. Individuals with low motor competence did not differ on their basic physiological health parameters, but they had less optimal levels of overall health and fitness indices than those with high motor competence. As a function of age, musculoskeletal fitness was significantly compromised for the low motor competence group. The metabolic indices suggested that the low motor competence group had significantly higher BMI’s compared to the high motor competence group. Motor skills and static balance were significant predictors of the BMI. Exercise intensity differed between children in the low and high motor competence group. The findings suggest that individuals with low motor competence have compromised health-related fitness. In order to discriminate between individuals with high and low motor competence, fitness assessment should include at least back extension, curl ups, and sit and reach. In addition, health-related fitness measurements such as BMI, waist circumference, blood lipid profile and bone mineral density are also recommended.

Effect Of Interval Versus Continuous Training On Measures Of Health-related Fitness

Continuous training (CT) is used frequently by individuals to improve a variety of health-related fitness parameters including aerobic fitness, resting blood pressure and resting heart rate. Less research has been conducted however on the effect of interval training (IT) on these same health-related fitness measures. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of interval versus continuous training on absolute and relative VO2max, resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and resting heart rate (RHR). METHODS Forty-two volunteers were randomly assigned to an IT group (n=20) or a CT group (n=22). A separate control group (n=18) was formed from volunteers who were currently not engaged in CT or IT. Both training groups trained an average of 3 times per week for ten weeks starting the first week at 70% of VO2max for 30 min, increasing to 75% VO2max for 35 min the fifth week, and increasing to 80% VO2max for 40 min the eight week. The CT group maintained a constant intensity throughout the training session. The IT group completed a similar volume of work but varied the intensity within each session from 120–150% VO2max during the work intervals to 30–40% VO2max during the relief intervals. The training program was preceded and followed by a series of tests of VO2max, SBP, DBP and RHR. RESULTS The IT and CT groups improved significantly (p<.01) on both absolute and relative VO2max compared to the controls, with the IT group improving significantly better on relative VO2max than the CT group. Both training groups showed significant pre-post changes in percent fat and fat weight, but neither group changed significantly in comparison with the controls. SBP and DBP was reduced in the IT group, but not significantly compared to the CT group or controls. RHR was significantly lower in both training groups when compared with controls, but no difference was observed between the training groups. CONCLUSIONS The results of the study indicate that IT increased relative VO2max not only as well as CT, but actually better than CT. No differences were observed between IT and CT with regard to body composition or resting blood pressure. Similar reductions in RHR were observed in both training groups. Interval training, it appears, can be recommended in lower risk adults as an alternative to continuous training, resulting in significant improvements in aerobic fitness with no detrimental effects on resting blood pressure.

Effect Of Interval Versus Continuous Training On Measures Of Health-related Fitness

Continuous training (CT) is used frequently by individuals to improve a variety of health-related fitness parameters including aerobic fitness, resting blood pressure and resting heart rate. Less research has been conducted however on the effect of interval training (IT) on these same health-related fitness measures. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of interval versus continuous training on absolute and relative VO2max, resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and resting heart rate (RHR). METHODS Forty-two volunteers were randomly assigned to an IT group (n=20) or a CT group (n=22). A separate control group (n=18) was formed from volunteers who were currently not engaged in CT or IT. Both training groups trained an average of 3 times per week for ten weeks starting the first week at 70% of VO2max for 30 min, increasing to 75% VO2max for 35 min the fifth week, and increasing to 80% VO2max for 40 min the eight week. The CT group maintained a constant intensity throughout the training session. The IT group completed a similar volume of work but varied the intensity within each session from 120–150% VO2max during the work intervals to 30–40% VO2max during the relief intervals. The training program was preceded and followed by a series of tests of VO2max, SBP, DBP and RHR. RESULTS The IT and CT groups improved significantly (p<.01) on both absolute and relative VO2max compared to the controls, with the IT group improving significantly better on relative VO2max than the CT group. Both training groups showed significant pre-post changes in percent fat and fat weight, but neither group changed significantly in comparison with the controls. SBP and DBP was reduced in the IT group, but not significantly compared to the CT group or controls. RHR was significantly lower in both training groups when compared with controls, but no difference was observed between the training groups. CONCLUSIONS The results of the study indicate that IT increased relative VO2max not only as well as CT, but actually better than CT. No differences were observed between IT and CT with regard to body composition or resting blood pressure. Similar reductions in RHR were observed in both training groups. Interval training, it appears, can be recommended in lower risk adults as an alternative to continuous training, resulting in significant improvements in aerobic fitness with no detrimental effects on resting blood pressure.

Objective measures of health‐related quality of life over 24 months post‐liver transplantation

Many studies have reported improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) from pre- to immediate post-orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). However, few studies have evaluated longitudinal changes over the first 2 yr post-OLT and none have simultaneously examined objective measures of health-related fitness. A total of 50 OLT recipients (32 males,18 females; 51.4 +/- 11.8 yr) completed testing at 2, 6, 12, and 24 months post-OLT. Testing included assessment of exercise capacity (peak VO2), quadriceps muscle strength, body composition, physical activity participation, and self-reported functioning (SF-36). Repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc contrasts was performed to determine differences over time and a second ANOVA assessed differences over time between genders. All patients increased peak VO2, quadriceps muscle strength, and percent body fat (p < 0.0001) from 2 to 24 months. Men and women differed in their changes of peak VO2 and percent body fat (p < 0.05). At 24 months, only 50% of the patients reported participating in regular physical activity. All SF-36 physical measures except general health, improved from 2 to 24 months (p < 0.0001). Measures of health-related fitness and QoL improve over the first 2 yr post-OLT with the greatest gains occurring in the first 6 months and all measures remain lower than recommended for cardiovascular and overall health. A randomized clinical trial of lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise intervention is warranted to determine the impact of such modifications on HRQoL and fitness post-OLT.

Validation of the children and youth physical self perceptions profile for young children

Objectives: The Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile (CY-PSPP) is widely used to study children’s physical self-perceptions and potential influences on physical activity and other psychosocial constructs. Previous studies have supported the overall utility of the CY-PSPP with adolescent children but the validity and utility of the instrument has not been established for younger children. The purpose of this study was to test the proposed hierarchical relationships of the CY-PSPP among a large sample of young children. A secondary purpose was to examine the construct and predictive validity of the CY-PSPP subdomains. Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: Children (n=754) completed the CY-PSPP instrument and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) during physical education class. Health-related fitness measures were obtained from the FITNESSGRAM test battery. Structural equation modeling was conducted to assess the factor structure of the measurement model and the relationships among the CY-PSPP domains. Sequential multigroup covariance analyses was used to examine gender equivalence of the instrument and correlation analyses were used to examine construct and predictive validity. Results: CFA supported the factorial validity of the CY-PSPP model and revealed no invariance between genders. Correlations between CY-PSPP domains and measures of fitness were moderate and exhibited the expected pattern of relationships. Each of the CY-PSPP domains was also significantly correlated with physical activity. Conclusions: The CY-PSPP provides a useful way to study the nature and impact of physical self-perception in young children.

Health-related fitness and quality of life following steroid withdrawal in renal transplant recipients

Exercise capacity increases significantly soon after transplantation; however, over time it does not further improve and patients remain low compared to normal levels. The limitations to exercise following transplantation have not been identified, but may be related to immunosuppression therapy regimens that include prednisone. We studied health-related fitness measures (cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and body composition) and quality of life in renal transplant recipients randomized into two groups: those using standard maintenance immunosuppression, including prednisone therapy (N = 14); and those undergoing rapid withdrawal of steroids using Simulect[interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor inhibitor] (N = 9). Testing was done at 3 and 12 months following transplant and the 12-month data were compared to 15 normal sedentary controls. Compared to those maintained on steroids, the steroid withdrawal group showed greater gains in VO2peak (P = 0.05) and quadriceps peak torque (P = 0.05) and greater gains in the vitality score and the Physical Composite Scale on the SF-36 questionnaire (P < 0.05). At 1 year, all patients had significantly lower exercise capacity compared to the sedentary controls (P = 0.01). No differences were observed in body composition, with both patient groups increasing in body weight (primarily body fat) over time. At 12 months, all patients were not different in body fat percentage compared to the sedentary controls. We conclude that prednisone is not the cause for increased body fat following transplantation; however, it may contribute to lower spontaneous improvements in exercise capacity possibly by limiting increases in muscle strength. The low exercise capacity in all transplant recipients studied at 1 year suggests a need for exercise training to optimize physical functioning following transplant.

COMPARISONS OF YEARLY HEALTH-RELATED FITNESS TESTS FROM KINDERGARTEN TO FIFTH GRADE

The study of change in children's health-related fitness (HRF) is important, as evidence supports the early onset of cardiovascular and other health risks. However, there is a scarcity of longitidunal studies of children's HRF due to various challenges. Purpose: To assess yearly longitudinal changes in children's HRF from kindergarten to fifth grade. Methods: Testing occurred each of 14 years as part of a school district's physical education curriculum for grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 at a climate-controlled YMCA. Variables included body mass index (BMI) from wt and ht (kg/m2), body fat % (BF) from sum of triceps and calf skinfolds, 1-mile run/walk (MR) in min, 1-min timed curl-up (CU), pull-up (PU), and sit-and-reach (SR) in cm with 23 at footline. Data from 349 males (M) and 340 females (F) were separately analyzed using listwise deletion for each parameter. Ages at K testing were M = 6.3 ± 0.3 and F = 6.2 ± 0.3 years. Ns retained for analysis from M and F data pools respectively were BMI: 257, 265; BF: 256, 264; MR: 204, 212; CU: 250, 259; PU: 181, 186; and SR: 169, 158. Results: Variable means from grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively are: BMI(M): 16.2, 16.7, 17.5, 18.3, 18.8, 19.7; BMI(F): 16.2, 16.8, 17.9, 18.7, 19.4, 20.2; BF(M): 15.9, 17.5, 20.0, 21.3, 22.8, 25.4; BF(F): 19.5, 21.0, 24.2, 24.9, 26.0, 27.4; MR(M): 12.1, 11.6, 11.2, 10.9, 9.9, 9.8; MR(F): 12.9, 12.6, 12.5, 12.2, 11.3, 11.2; CU(M): 18.6, 27.4, 31.5, 34.0, 36.1, 37.1; CU(F): 17.8, 25.5, 28.2, 31.1, 33.2, 33.7; PU(M): 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 1.8, 2.0, 1.7; PU(F): 0.8, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 0.9, 0.7; SR(M): 25.5, 27.2, 26.3, 26.5, 24.2, 24.8; SR(F): 28.1, 29.8, 29.8, 30.0, 29.5, 31.2. Using one-way repeated measures ANOVAs to compare the HRF measures at six grade levels, significant effects were found (p < .05) in all but PU(F). Follow-up was done using Bonferroni tests. BMI and BF increased significantly over time. MR(M & F) and CU(M & F) showed no significant improvement between grades 4 and 5. Eta2 was used to estimate effect size for M and F respectively as follows: BMI: .43, .51; BF: .39, .39; MR: .37, .23; CU: .54, .49; PU: .04, .01; SR: .09, .06. Conclusion: We found a general similarity between these results and findings from age-referenced, cross-sectional studies that sampled elementary-aged children from diverse geographic regions (NCYFS I, 1985; NCYFS II, 1987). For both genders, indices of body fatness incrementally increase. Pull-up and sit-and reach performances show little meaningful change, for either gender. We found NSD in either MR or CU between grades 4 and 5 (M & F).

DIFFERENCES IN HEALTH-RELATED PHYSICAL FITNESS IN AN ETHNICALLY DIVERSE INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL 82

Although there is growing evidence on the status of physical fitness in adolescent populations, relatively few studies have examined multiple minority groups while including boys and girls. The purpose of this study was to examine anthropometric and health-related fitness measures of an ethnically diverse international high school designed to have an equal distribution of minorities and whites. 109 adolescents (mean age = 14.6±0.7 yr; girls, n=58; boys, n=51) including 22 Afro-Americans (AA), 30 Hispanics (HS), 26 Asians (AS), and 31 Caucasians (CC) participated as part of a required physical education program. ANOVA with Newman-Keuls post hoc comparisons revealed significant racial and ethnic differences within each gender. Among girls, significant anthropometric differences existed with respect to BMI and body wt. (AA>HS, AS, CC; p<.01) while significant body composition differences existed in calf skinfold (AA>HS, AS; p<.01) and sum of calf and triceps skinfolds (AA and CC>AS; p<.05). CC girls were significantly(p<.01) slower in mile run time than AA,HS, and AS. Regarding boys, significant anthropometric and body composition differences occurred in BMI(HS>AA, AS, CC; p<.01; AA>AS and CC>AS; p<.05), triceps skinfold (HS>CC>AA, AS; p<.01), and sum of calf and triceps skinfolds(CC>AA, AS; p<.01). Significant differences also existed in mile run times for the boys (HS>CC; p<.05; HS>AA, AS and AA>AS; p<.01; greater = slower time) and 60 sec timed sit-ups (AA>AS, p<.05; AA>CC, p<.01; AS>CC and HS>CC, p<.01). These results are in contrast to previous research which indicates a lack of fitness differences, based on ethnicity, in low socioeconomic groups. Health-related fitness measures known to track and be associated with major chronic lifestyle diseases in both men and women are identified.

The relative utility of health-related fitness tests and skilled motor performance tests as measures of biological age in Japanese men.

In the present paper we report the results of a study in which we compared 2 different approaches to the computation of biological age (BA) in a sample of 322 Japanese men (age range 20 to 79 years). In the first approach, 4 commonly used measures of health-related fitness (VO2peak, trunk flexion from a standing position, body fat, and grip strength) were reduced to a single BA score (HRF Age) using principal component analysis. In contrast, in the second approach, 3 commonly used measures of skilled motor performance and agility (vertical jump, stepping side-to-side, and balancing on one leg with eyes closed) were reduced to a single BA score (SMP Age) using similar multivariate procedures. The criterion-related validity of both of the BA measures was examined by assessing each measure's ability to discriminate between healthy and active groups of subjects. This was achieved by classifying the original subject pool into regularly active (ACT; n = 108) and healthy (HLTH; n = 169) subgroups on the basis of self-reported activity levels. Analyses revealed that HRF Age was a more powerful discriminator between the two activity groups than SMP Age. While HRF Age of HLTH subjects was very close to their chronological age (CA), in the ACT group, HRF Age was on average 15 years less than their CA (P < 0.05). In a separate analysis, we assessed the HRF Age of patients with ischemic heart disease, hypertension, obesity, or diabetes (PAT; n = 45). The HRF Age of these subjects averaged 10 years above their CA. Our data suggest that commonly used measures of health-related fitness can be usefully employed as indices of BA which differentiate between individuals of similar ages but differing health and physical activity status. In contrast, measures of skilled motor performance were found to be less valuable measures of BA. The implication of our findings for future experimental design in exercise and aging research is discussed.

Principal components of fitness: relationship to physical activity and lifestyle.

Interrelationships between metabolic and cardiorespiratory health were examined in 350 healthy adults. Four principal components accounted for 66.7% of the variance in 172 males (M) and for 62.4% in 178 females (F). Factor 1, "obesity," related to body mass index, abdominal circumference, total skinfold thickness, and (M only) abdominal/hip circumference ratio. Factor 2, "cardiovascular fitness," had loadings from resting heart rate and PWC150/kg. Factors 3 and 4 were related to total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol, respectively (plus blood pressures, particularly in F). Factor 1 was linked to caffeine consumption and to exercise frequency (F) or perceived intensity (M). Factor 2 was linked to perceptions of activity relative to others (M and F) and to the intensity of activity (M only). Factors 3 and 4 were associated with perceived fitness and physical activity relative to others. Because perceptions of physical activity and fitness lack consistency, it is suggested that health be judged more directly from simple measures of health related fitness that require little subject cooperation.