Modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test Research Articles

Which anthropometric equation to predict body fat percentage is more strongly associated with maximum oxygen uptake in adolescents? A cross-sectional study.

Identifying the relationship between maximum consumption of oxygen and body fat percentage is important due to increased cardiovascular risk factors. This study aimed to verify the association between body fat percentage determined by three predictive equations using anthropometric measures (Lohman, Boileau, and Slaughter) and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max). We also aimed to estimate the capacity of these equations for explaining VO2max variations in adolescents according to sex. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in high schools in São José, Southern Brazil. This study included 879 adolescents (14-19 years) from Southern Brazil. Aerobic fitness was assessed using the modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test. The independent variable was body fat percentage predicted by the Lohman, Boileau, and Slaughter equations. Analyses adjusted for sociodemographic variables, physical activity level, and sexual maturation were performed with P value < 0.05. All anthropometric prediction equations used to estimate body fat percentage explained VO2max variations in adolescents. In male adolescents, both regression models based on the Boileau et al.12 and Lohman10 equations revealed higher explanatory power for VO2max (20%) compared with that based on the Slaughter et al.13 equation (19%). In female adolescents, the model based on the anthropometric equation of Slaughter et al.13 showed the greatest explanatory power for VO2max (18%). The inverse relationship between VO2max and body fat intensifies the need for effective intervention programs that prioritize maintenance of appropriate body fat and aerobic fitness levels because inadequate levels of both factors result in negative health consequences.

Effects of Stair Climbing Training on Cardiopulmonary Endurance in Gym Users

Background: Stair climbing is an effective, easy to approach and inexpensive moderate to high intensity exercise with great effects in improving functional status of individuals.High intensity interval training (HIIT) protocol is also a short time exercise with greater long term effects in improving cardiopulmonary endurance. Aim: To examine the effects of stair climbing on cardiopulmonary endurance in gym users in addition to High intensity interval training (HIIT) protocol and to measure the effects of stair climbing on blood lactate in gym users. Methods: 32 healthy individuals including males and females have been divided into two groups all the participants were gym users from past three months .Control group followed HITT protocol only and experimental group performed stair climbing in addition to HIIT protocol. Time duration of the training was 8 weeks .Individuals were assessed before and after the training for VO2max, and blood lactate. Body Mass Index, Rate of Perceived Exertion, and O2cost, modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT) stages Blood Pressure, Heart Rate has also been assessed before and after training. Results: Results has shown the significant increase in VO2 max (p value 0.001) and lower levels of blood lactate (≤0.001) within the groups after training. There was no significant improvement in VO2max and blood lactate formation on comparison between the groups. Conclusion: Current study concluded that there was significant increase in VO2 max and blood lactate with stair climbing in addition to HIIT protocol in gym users within the groups but there is no significance between the groups. It means both the protocols been followed are significant with almost equal affects and both are equally beneficial. Keywords: Stair Climbing Training, High intensity interval training (HIIT), modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT)

Criterion-referenced mCAFT cut-points to identify metabolically healthy cardiorespiratory fitness among adults aged 18-69 years: an analysis of the Canadian Health Measures Survey.

This study aimed to develop and validate health-related criterion-referenced cut-points for the modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT), a field-based measure to predict cardiorespiratory fitness among adults (18-69 years). Criterion-referenced mCAFT cut-points were developed using nationally representative data from cycles 1 (2007-2009) and 2 (2009-2011) of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify age- and sex-specific cut-points for measured waist circumference, blood pressure, and high-density lipoprotein. Cut-points were validated against metabolic syndrome using a fasted subsample (n = 1093) from cycle 5 (2016-2017). For the main analyses, 4967 participants (50% women) were retained. The mCAFT cut-points ranged from 28 to 43 mL·kg-1·min-1 (area under the curve (AUC): 0.60-0.87) among men, and 23 to 37 mL·kg-1·min-1 (AUC: 0.61-0.86) among women. The likelihood of meeting the new mCAFT cut-points decreased with an increase in the presence of metabolic risk factors. In total, 54% (95% confidence interval: 42% to 67%) of Canadian adults met the new mCAFT cut-points in 2016-2017. This study developed and validated the first health-related criterion-referenced mCAFT cut-points for metabolic health among Canadian adults aged 18-69 years. These mCAFT cut-points may be useful in health surveillance, clinical, and public health settings. Novelty We developed and validated new criterion-referenced cut-points for the mCAFT to help identify adults at potential risk of poor metabolic health. These new cut-points could help support national health surveillance efforts.

Reply to Discussion of "Establishing modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT) cut-points to detect clustered cardiometabolic risk among Canadian children and youth aged 9 to 17 years" - The need for foundational fitness research in Canada: is there room for innovation?

Reply to Discussion of "Establishing modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT) cut-points to detect clustered cardiometabolic risk among Canadian children and youth aged 9 to 17 years" - The need for foundational fitness research in Canada: is there room for innovation?

Discussion of "Establishing modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT) cut-points to detect clustered cardiometabolic risk among Canadian children and youth aged 9 to 17 years" - The need for foundational fitness research in Canada: is there room for innovation?

Discussion of "Establishing modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT) cut-points to detect clustered cardiometabolic risk among Canadian children and youth aged 9 to 17 years" - The need for foundational fitness research in Canada: is there room for innovation?

Reliability of Zephyr BioHarness Respiratory Rate at Rest, During the Modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test and Recovery.

Nazari, G and MacDermid, JC. Reliability of Zephyr BioHarness respiratory rate at rest, during the modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test and recovery. J Strength Cond Res 34(1): 264-269, 2020-Technological innovations have led to the development of wearable physiological monitoring devices, such as the Zephyr BioHarness (ZB). It is necessary to establish the measurement properties of a device and to determine its reliability parameters, before its utilization. The purpose of current study was to determine the test-retest reliability of ZB respiratory rate variable at rest, during the modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT) (a submaximal test) and throughout recovery. Stratified convenience and snowballing were used to recruit 60 participants (30 females). Respiratory rate reliability was assessed at rest, with total of 20 measurements, during the mCAFT with total of 24 measures and throughout the recovery with total of 20 measures between the first and second sessions. At rest, test-retest respiratory rate intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and SEM for ZB ranged from 0.76 to 0.84 (0.62-0.83). During the mCAFT, the ZB ICCs and (SEM) ranged from 0.76 to 0.89 (1.53-4.00). Throughout the recovery, the ICCs and SEM ranged from 0.79 to 0.90 (0.90-1.28). To conclude, ZB respiratory rate variable demonstrated excellent reliability measures in a large sample of healthy male and female individuals across different age groups at rest, during a submaximal activity and throughout recovery. Our study findings add to the existing pool of literature regarding the reliability parameters of ZB wearable device and propose that stable and consistent measures of respiratory rate can be obtained using ZB device among healthy male and female participants at rest, during submaximal activity (mCAFT) and throughout recovery.

Establishing modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT) cut-points to detect clustered cardiometabolic risk among Canadian children and youth aged 9 to 17 years.

The objective of this study was to establish cut-points to identify potential clustered cardiometabolic risk among children (aged 9-13 years) and youth (aged 14-17 years) using the modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT). Nationally representative cross-sectional data were obtained from cycles 1 and 2 (2007-2011) of the Canadian Health Measures Survey. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured using the mCAFT, which was used to estimate peak oxygen consumption. Clustered cardiometabolic health was identified as the mean of 4 standardized variables: sum of 4 skinfolds; total cholesterol-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio; and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In total, 2106 (49% female) participants were retained for this analysis. The optimal mCAFT cut-point for males was 49 and 46 mL·kg-1·min-1 among children and youth, respectively. Among females, the mCAFT cut-point was 46 and 37 mL·kg-1·min-1 among children and youth, respectively. In 2016-2017, 83% of females and 71% of males met the new mCAFT cut-points. The mCAFT cut-points can help identify children and youth at potential risk of poor cardiometabolic health in public health surveillance, clinical, and school-based settings. Novelty We developed new mCAFT cut-points to identify potential clustered cardiometabolic risk among Canadian children and youth. These mCAFT cut-points can be used to inform national health surveillance efforts.

Inter-Instrument Reliability and Agreement of Fitbit Charge Measurements of Heart Rate and Activity at Rest, during the Modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test, and in Recovery.

Purpose: We determined the inter-instrument reliability and agreement parameters of the Fitbit Charge Heart Rate (Charge HR) device during three phases: rest, modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT), and recovery. Method: We recruited 60 participants for this cross-sectional measurement study using convenience and snowball sampling approaches. The performance of the Charge HR was assessed throughout the rest, mCAFT, and recovery phases. To establish inter-instrument reliability, the Charge HR variables - heart rate, steps taken, and energy expenditures - were compared with those for two other devices: the Zephyr BioHarness (ZB) for heart rate and the Fitbit One for steps taken and energy expenditure. Measurements were recorded every 30 seconds. Results: At rest, the inter-instrument intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) (standard error of measurement [SEM]) for the Charge HR versus the ZB was ≥ 0.97 (range, min-max, 1.02-1.32). During the mCAFT and in recovery, the ICCs (SEMs) for the Charge HR and the ZB were ≥ 0.89 (range, min-max, 1.30-3.98) and ≥ 0.68 (range, min-max, 3.58-8.35), respectively. During the mCAFT only, the number of steps taken and the energy expenditure recorded by the Charge HR and the Fitbit One displayed ICCs (SEMs) of 0.97 (83.00) and 0.77 (14.70), respectively. The average agreement differences in heart rate in this pair-wise device comparison indicated mean differences of -0.20, 4.00, and 1.00 beats per minute at rest, during the mCAFT, and in recovery, respectively. Conclusions: The Charge HR heart rate variable demonstrated excellent inter-instrument reliability compared with the ZB and provided good levels of agreement. The steps taken and energy expenditure variables displayed excellent reliability measures between Charge HR and Fitbit One. Our findings may be used to capture field-based wireless measures of heart rate in various phases and provide information about possibly using the Charge HR and ZB devices interchangeably.

Developing Criterion-Referenced Standards for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Among Canadian Adults Aged 18-69 Years

PURPOSE: Cardiorespiratory fitness levels among adults are an important indication of general health. The aim of this project was to develop criterion-referenced standards for estimates of cardiorespiratory fitness in Canadian adults aged 18-69 years using a nationally representative sample, and body mass index (BMI) as the criterion measure. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were obtained from cycles 1 (2007-09) and 2 (2009-11) of the Canadian Health Measures Survey. The modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT) was used to predict cardiorespiratory fitness (as VO2max). Measured height and weight were used to calculate BMI. Obesity was classified as having a BMI greater than 30 kg•m-2. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify cardiorespiratory fitness standards that optimized both sensitivity and 1-specificity (Youden’s J) for males and females, separately, across five age groups (i.e., 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60-69 years). RESULTS: A total of 4,967 participants (53% female, Mage=41.0±13.8 years) were retained for the present analyses. The area under the curve ranged from 0.79-0.86 in males, and 0.85-0.92 in females. The optimal standards for cardiorespiratory fitness using BMI as the criterion measure ranged from 13.1-31.7 mL•kg-1•min-1 for males, and 16.9-32.6 mL•kg-1•min-1 for females. The cardiorespiratory fitness standards were slightly higher for females in comparison with males when matched for age. CONCLUSIONS: These cardiorespiratory fitness standards may be useful in public health settings, particularly in Canada. Future research should further investigate other criterion measures, and research should validate these cut-points to see if they adequately discriminate individuals with chronic diseases.

The association between physical fitness and health in a nationally representative sample of Canadian children and youth aged 6 to 17 years.

This study explored the relationship between physical fitness and indicators of physical and psychosocial health in a nationally representative sample of Canadian children and youth aged 6-17 years. We conducted a secondary data analysis of Canadian Health Measures Survey (Cycles 1 and 2; 2007-2011) data. The physical fitness measures included cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF; modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test), strength (handgrip strength), flexibility (sit-and-reach), and muscular endurance (partial curl-ups). The physical health indicators included directly measured biomarkers (total and HDL [high-density lipoprotein] cholesterol, C-reactive protein, glucose, and HbA1c [glycohaemoglobin]) and measures of adiposity, resting heart rate, and blood pressure. Psychosocial health was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Multiple linear regressions were used to determine the association between variables, stratified by age groups and sex. 3,800 (48.9% female) children and youth were retained for this analysis. CRF displayed significant favourable associations with most physical health indicators in male and female participants. There were less significant favourable associations with flexibility and muscular endurance compared with CRF across age and sex groups. Strength was associated with higher adiposity in males and females, and lower heart rate in male children (β = -1.9; 95% CI: -2.9, -1.0) and female youth (β = -2.0; 95% CI: -2.7, -1.2). There were few significant favourable associations between measures of physical fitness and psychosocial health in this sample of children and youth. These findings suggest that physical fitness, and especially CRF, is a significant indicator of physical health among Canadian children and youth aged 6-17 years.

Reliability of Zephyr Bioharness and Fitbit Charge Measures of Heart Rate and Activity at Rest, During the Modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test, and Recovery.

Nazari, G, MacDermid, JC, Sinden, KE, Richardson, J, and Tang, A. Reliability of Zephyr Bioharness and Fitbit Charge measures of heart rate and activity at rest, during the modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test, and recovery. J Strength Cond Res 33(2): 559-571, 2019-The purpose of this study was to determine the intrasession and intersession reliability of Zephyr Bioharness (ZB) and Fitbit Charge variables in both healthy men and women at rest, during the Modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT), and throughout recovery. Stratified convenience and snowball sampling were used to recruit 60 participants (30 women, 48 ± 15 years) and (30 men, 48 ± 15 years) from McMaster University student, staff, and faculty population. At rest, intrasession average heart rate (b·min). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Standard Error of Measurement [SEM] for Zephyr ranged from (0.94-0.97) [1.17-1.70] to (0.92-0.97) [1.45-2.10] for Fitbit Charge. During the mCAFT, the Zephyr ICCs and (SEM) ranged from 0.31-0.99 (1.28-8.10) to 0.45-0.99 (1.45-8.71) for the Fitbit Charge. Throughout the recovery, the ICCs and (SEM) ranged from 0.44-0.98 (1.26-10.47) to 0.45-0.98 (1.15-11.90) for Zephyr and Fitbit devices, respectively. At rest, intersession ICCs (SEM) for Zephyr and Fitbit ranged from 0.90-0.94 (1.73-2.37) to 0.88-0.94 (1.83-2.67), respectively. At mCAFT, the Zephyr ICCs (SEM) ranged from 0.91-0.97 (3.12-4.64) to 0.85-0.98 (3.28-4.88) for the Fitbit. Throughout the recovery, the ICCs (SEM) ranged from 0.93-0.97 (2.65-4.66) to 0.76-0.91 (3.17-4.67) for Zephyr and Fitbit devices, respectively. To conclude, both the ZB and Fitbit Charge devices demonstrated excellent reliability measures throughout the 3 phases. The findings from our study add to the existing pool of literature regarding the reliability parameters of wearable devices and suggest that stable and consistent measures of heart rate and physical activity can be obtained using ZB and Fitbit Charge devices among healthy male and female participants at rest, during a standardized submaximal fitness test (mCAFT), and throughout recovery.

ASSOCIATION OF FLEXIBILITY WITH SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, MUSCLE STRENGTH, AND AEROBIC FITNESS IN ADOLESCENTS FROM SOUTHERN BRAZIL.

ABSTRACTObjective: To identify sociodemographic, physical activity, and physical fitness factors associated with flexibility.Methods: Cross-sectional study with 909 adolescents (486 girls) aged 14 to 19 years from the city of São José, Santa Catarina, Brazil. To evaluate flexibility, we used the sit and reach test. Sociodemographic and physical activity data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire. We analyzed muscle strength with manual dynamometry. Aerobic fitness was assessed with the modified Canadian aerobic fitness test, and physical activity with a questionnaire. We used multiple linear regression to identify the variables associated with flexibility, with a significance level of 5%.Results: For each additional centimeter in the girls’ levels of flexibility, the boys were 2.94 cm less flexible. In addition, the increment of 0.12 kg/force in muscle strength levels increased the levels of flexibility in 1 cm.Conclusions: Lower levels of flexibility were associated with male adolescents and with reduced strength levels.

Comparison Between Common Performance-Based Tests and Self-Reports of Physical Function in People With Multiple Sclerosis: Does Sex or Gender Matter?

ObjectiveTo estimate the extent to which sex or gender differences affect the relations between tests of physical performance and self-reports about function in everyday life activities. Ecological validity is an important psychometric property when choosing tests of physical function, because they need to relate to everyday function. In multiple sclerosis (MS), the EQUI scale, modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test, grip strength, vertical jump, push-up, partial curl-up, gait speed (comfortable or fast), 6-minute walk test, and 9-hole peg test are commonly used but the extent to which they relate to everyday function is understudied and the extent to which ecological validity of these tests differ between women and men is unknown. DesignA cross-sectional analysis was conducted on a random sample of men and women recruited for a study on the life effect of MS. Correlations between pairs of performance outcome (PerfO) and self-reported outcome (SRO) items pairs of variables with theoretical coherence were calculated and gender effects identified using linear regression. SettingParticipants were recruited from MS clinic at Montreal Neurological Hospital. ParticipantsThe sample (N=188) consisted of 140 women and 48 men with MS. InterventionsNot applicable. ResultsThe mean age ± SD of the participants was 43±10. Sixty PerfO and SRO items yielded 165 theoretically linked pairs separately for women and men. Of these 330 possible pairs, 77 pairs (23%) had correlations ≥0.8, showing strong support for the link between performance tests and everyday function; 203 pairs provided moderate support (r≥0.5). Thirty-one pairs had a statistically significant interaction with gender with men having higher correlations than women (n=27/31). ConclusionThe results support the ecological validity for physical performance tests, particularly balance tests and particularly for men. The observation that many indicators of everyday function derived from SROs were related to physical performance supports the routine use of SROs in clinical practice to guide therapy to meet the needs of clients with MS.

Association between Resting Heart Rate and Health-Related Physical Fitness in Brazilian Adolescents.

The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between health-related physical fitness components (aerobic fitness, muscle strength, flexibility, and body fat) and resting heart rate (RHR) in Brazilian adolescents. The study included 695 schoolchildren (14–19 years) from public schools of the city of São José, Brazil. RHR was evaluated using an automated oscillometric sphygmomanometer. Aerobic fitness was assessed by the modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test; muscle strength was measured by handgrip dynamometer; flexibility was assessed by the sit-and-reach test; and body fat was assessed indirectly by sum of two skinfold thicknesses (triceps and subscapular). Sociodemographic variables, habitual physical activity, sexual maturation, and body mass index were the covariates. Cardiorespiratory fitness (β = -0.11; 95%CI: -0.14, -0.08) and handgrip strength (β = -0.10; 95%CI: -0.18, -0.01) were inversely associated with RHR in boys. For girls, cardiorespiratory fitness (β = -0.09; 95%CI: -0.12, -0.06) was inversely associated with RHR. In both sexes, body fat (β = 0.50; 95%CI: 0.25, 0.75 for boys; β = 0.17; 95%CI: 0.36, 2.72 for girls) was directly associated with RHR. The RHR is measured more easily than the physical fitness tests, so it is recommended to assess adolescent's heath in large surveillance systems.

Clinimetrics: Modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test.

Clinimetrics: Modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test.

The Relationship between Physical Fitness and Simulated Firefighting Task Performance.

The overall aim of this study was to measure the physiological responses of firefighters from a single fire service during simulated functional firefighting tasks and to establish the relationship between physical fitness parameters and task performance. 46 males and 3 females firefighters were recruited. Firefighters' aerobic capacity levels were estimated using the Modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (mCAFT). Grip strength levels, as a measure of upper body strength levels, were assessed using a calibrated J-Tech dynamometer. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) protocol for the static floor lifting test was used to quantify lower body strength levels. Firefighters then performed two simulated tasks: a hose drag task and a stair climb with a high-rise pack tasks. Pearson's correlation coefficients (r) were calculated between firefighters' physical fitness parameters and task completion times. Two separate multivariable enter regression analyses were carried out to determine the predictive abilities of age, sex, muscle strength, and resting heart rate on task completion times. Our results displayed that near maximal heart rates of ≥88% of heart rate maximum were recorded during the two tasks. Correlation (r) ranged from −0.30 to 0.20. For the hose drag task, cardiorespiratory fitness and right grip strength (kg) demonstrated the highest correlations of −0.30 and −0.25, respectively. In predicting hose drag completion times, age and right grip strength scores were shown to be the statistically significant (p < 0.05) independent variables in our regression model. In predicting stair climb completion times, age and NIOSH scores were shown to be the statistically significant (p < 0.05) independent variables in our regression model. In conclusion, the hose drag and stair climb tasks were identified as physiological demanding tasks. Age, sex, resting heart rate, and upper body/lower body strength levels had similar predictive values on hose drag and stair climb completion times.

Combinação de indicadores negativos da aptidão física e fatores associados em adolescentes

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2017v19n4p436 Inadequate levels in health-related physical fitness components are associated with early cardiovascular mortality in adult life. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between clusters of negative physical fitness indicators with sociodemographic and lifestyle variables in adolescents. The survey was conducted with 866 students (14-19 years) from public schools of São José, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Aerobic fitness was assessed by the modified Canadian aerobic fitness test; muscle strength was measured by handgrip dynamometer; flexibility was assessed by the sit-and-reach test; body fat was measured by the sum of triceps and subscapular skinfolds. Sociodemographic and lifestyle variables were verified by questionnaire. The simultaneity of behaviors was evaluated by the ratio between observed and expected prevalence of inadequate physical fitness levels. The combination of negative physical fitness indicators was analyzed through multinomial logistic regression. The prevalence observed for the simultaneity of four negative physical fitness indicators was 30% higher than expected. Female adolescents were more susceptible to the presence of two, three and four negative physical fitness indicators. Adolescents who presented risk behavior in relation to screen time were more likely to present one, three and four negative physical fitness indicators. Female gender and risk behavior in relation to screen time were factors associated with the simultaneity of negative physical fitness indicators.

Combinação de indicadores negativos da aptidão física e fatores associados em adolescentes

Inadequate levels in health-related physical fitness components are associated with early cardiovascular mortality in adult life. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between clusters of negative physical fitness indicators with sociodemographic and lifestyle variables in adolescents. The survey was conducted with 866 students (14-19 years) from public schools of Sao Jose, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Aerobic fitness was assessed by the modified Canadian aerobic fitness test; muscle strength was measured by handgrip dynamometer; flexibility was assessed by the sit-and-reach test; body fat was measured by the sum of triceps and subscapular skinfolds. Sociodemographic and lifestyle variables were verified by questionnaire. The simultaneity of behaviors was evaluated by the ratio between observed and expected prevalence of inadequate physical fitness levels. The combination of negative physical fitness indicators was analyzed through multinomial logistic regression. The prevalence observed for the simultaneity of four negative physical fitness indicators was 30% higher than expected. Female adolescents were more susceptible to the presence of two, three and four negative physical fitness indicators. Adolescents who presented risk behavior in relation to screen time were more likely to present one, three and four negative physical fitness indicators. Female gender and risk behavior in relation to screen time were factors associated with the simultaneity of negative physical fitness indicators.

Comparison of Canadian firefighters and healthy controls based on submaximal fitness testing and strength considering age and gender

Introduction. Few studies have addressed whether firefighters are fitter than the general population and possess sufficient levels of aerobic capacity and muscle strength to perform on-duty tasks in a safe and efficient manner, considering age and gender. We aimed to evaluate the fitness levels of Hamilton firefighters, and to determine the effects of age and gender. Methods. In total, 89 participants were recruited. The modified Canadian aerobic fitness test was used to determine participants’ estimated maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) levels. For upper and lower body strength levels, a calibrated J-Tech hand-held dynamometer and a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) lifting device was used respectively. Results. Firefighters’ mean (SD) VO2max level was 40.30 ± 6.25 ml·kg−1·min−1. Age proved to have a statistically significant impact on VO2max (p < 0.001). Gender displayed statistically significant effects on strength levels. Firefighters’ age was the only statistically significant independent variable, and accounted for 61.00% of the variance in firefighters’ aerobic capacity levels. Conclusions. Firefighters possessed somewhat similar aerobic capacities but much higher levels of body strength when compared with the general population. With age, firefighters’ aerobic capacities decreased; however, their upper and lower body strength levels remained the same.

What Physical Fitness Component Is Most Closely Associated With Adolescents' Blood Pressure?

This study aimed to determine which of four selected physical fitness variables, would be most associated with blood pressure changes (systolic and diastolic) in a large sample of adolescents. This was a descriptive and cross-sectional, epidemiological study of 1,117 adolescents aged 14-19 years from southern Brazil. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured by a digital pressure device, and the selected physical fitness variables were body composition (body mass index), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), muscle strength/resistance (manual dynamometer), and aerobic fitness (Modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test). Simple and multiple linear regression analyses revealed that aerobic fitness and muscle strength/resistance best explained variations in systolic blood pressure for boys (17.3% and 7.4% of variance) and girls (7.4% of variance). Aerobic fitness, body composition, and muscle strength/resistance are all important indicators of blood pressure control, but aerobic fitness was a stronger predictor of systolic blood pressure in boys and of diastolic blood pressure in both sexes.