Physical Activity Fitness Research Articles

GENDER-RESPONSIVENESS OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IN THE URBAN BARANGAYS OF SOGOD, SOUTHERN LEYTE

The study was conducted among 360 youth in ten urban barangays of Sogod, Southern Leyte from December 2006 to March 2007. It intended to determine the gender-responsiveness of development projects/activities implemented in the last two years; identify the strengths and weaknesses of the various phases of project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; and determine the common problems encountered during the various phases of the development process. Results revealed that basketball which is implemented in all barangays, is a male-biased project/activity. It dominantly benefited males for their physical fitness and recreation activities and it has greater gender role effects on males. Clean and green and community beautification which were also implemented in many of the barangays had a nature that is also primarily male-biased. The activities benefited both males and females because the scope of the activity is community-wide. However, these were basically extensions of household work, hence females often got the bulk of the work. Seminars, volleyball and badminton activities benefited both sexes and were oftentimes participated in by females but were implemented only in some barangays. The various projects/activities offered high access and control of resources and benefits to both males and females. The access and control of resources had a greater effect on the distribution of resources to male and female youth while access and control had a lesser effect on the distribution of benefits to male and female youth. The projects/activities implemented in the last two years had more weaknesses than strengths from program planning to implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Likewise, a number of common problems which coincide with the weaknesses of the projects/activities were identified by the youth respondents.

Association of leptin and insulin with childhood obesity and retinal vessel diameters

Childhood obesity is associated with an impaired retinal microcirculation. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between specific obesity-related biomarkers, physical fitness and retinal vessel diameters in school children. We studied 381 children aged 10-11 years (body mass index (BMI): 19.3±3.7 kg m(-2)) in a school-based setting. Anthropometric measurements and blood sampling were conducted using standard protocols for children. The serum biomarkers leptin, adiponectin, insulin as well as interleukin-6 (IL-6) were analyzed. Physical fitness was determined by a six-item-test battery and physical activity by use of a questionnaire. Central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE), central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) and the arteriolar-to-venular diameter ratio (AVR) were assessed with a non-mydriatic vessel analyzer (SVA-T) using a computer-based program. Compared with normal weight children (n=254), obese children (n=39) showed higher leptin (P<0.001), higher insulin (P<0.001), higher IL-6 (P<0.001) and lower adiponectin levels (P=0.013). Obese children demonstrated wider CRVE (P=0.041) and lower AVR (P<0.001). Higher leptin levels were associated with wider CRVE (P=0.032) and lower AVR (P=0.010), that was BMI dependent. Insulin levels were associated with arteriolar (P=0.045) and venular dilatation (P=0.034) after adjustment for BMI. No significant associations between adiponectin levels, IL-6 levels, physical fitness or physical activity and retinal vessel diameter were observed. Lower leptin levels were independently correlated with higher physical fitness (r=-0.33; P<0.001). Leptin and insulin levels are associated with changes of the retinal microcirculation. Especially insulin seems to be a good target marker for the cardiometabolic risk assessment in children since elevated insulin levels are independently associated with microvascular end-organ alterations at an early stage. Lifestyle intervention studies are warranted to examine whether improvement of physical fitness or weight reduction can affect cardiometabolic risk markers and reverse alterations of the retinal microcirculation.

Effects and costs of home-based training with telemonitoring guidance in low to moderate risk patients entering cardiac rehabilitation: The FIT@Home study

BackgroundPhysical training has beneficial effects on exercise capacity, quality of life and mortality in patients after a cardiac event or intervention and is therefore a core component of cardiac rehabilitation. However, cardiac rehabilitation uptake is low and effects tend to decrease after the initial rehabilitation period. Home-based training has the potential to increase cardiac rehabilitation uptake, and was shown to be safe and effective in improving short-term exercise capacity. Long-term effects on physical fitness and activity, however, are disappointing. Therefore, we propose a novel strategy using telemonitoring guidance based on objective training data acquired during exercise at home. In this way, we aim to improve self-management skills like self-efficacy and action planning for independent exercise and, consequently, improve long-term effectiveness with respect to physical fitness and physical activity. In addition, we aim to compare costs of this strategy with centre-based cardiac rehabilitation.Methods/designThis randomized controlled trial compares a 12-week telemonitoring guided home-based training program with a regular, 12-week centre-based training program of equal duration and training intensity in low to moderate risk patients entering cardiac rehabilitation after an acute coronary syndrome or cardiac intervention. The home-based group receives three supervised training sessions before they commence training with a heart rate monitor in their home environment. Participants are instructed to train at 70-85% of their maximal heart rate for 45–60 minutes, twice a week. Patients receive individual coaching by telephone once a week, based on measured heart rate data that are shared through the internet. Primary endpoints are physical fitness and physical activity, assessed at baseline, after 12 weeks and after one year. Physical fitness is expressed as peak oxygen uptake, assessed by symptom limited exercise testing with gas exchange analysis; physical activity is expressed as physical activity energy expenditure, assessed by tri-axial accelerometry and heart rate measurements. Secondary endpoints are training adherence, quality of life, patient satisfaction and cost-effectiveness.DiscussionThis study will increase insight in long-term effectiveness and costs of home-based cardiac rehabilitation with telemonitoring guidance. This strategy is in line with the trend to shift non-complex healthcare services towards patients’ home environments.Trial registrationDutch Trial Register: NTR3780. Clinicaltrials.gov register: NCT01732419

A favorable built environment is associated with better physical fitness in European adolescents

ObjectiveTo assess the association between the built environment and physical fitness and physical activity in adolescents. MethodsThe study included 3528 adolescents, aged 12.5–17.5years, who participated in the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) study. The health-related physical fitness components were assessed using the physical fitness tests. Participants wore a uniaxial accelerometer (ActiGraph®) for 7days to measure physical activity. A specific questionnaire addressing the built environment was used. Potential confounding factors including age, gender, body mass index, body composition, pubertal status, smoking, educational level of parents, and socioeconomic status were analyzed using backward stepwise linear regression analysis. ResultsHeavy traffic in the neighborhood was the strongest factor negatively associated with both physical fitness and physical activity (both P<0.05). Conversely, a secure bicycling or walking route from home to school was positively associated with various components of physical fitness and physical activity (P<0.01). Outdoor fields and gymnasiums near home were also associated with better physical fitness (P<0.01), but not with physical activity. ConclusionsA favorable built environment may contribute to health-related physical fitness and physical activity of adolescents and should be considered in future interventions and health promotion strategies.

Comparing 9 to 10 Years Old Children's Performance in Tennis and Physical Fitness Activities.

The aim of the study is to determine the degree of performance- related physical coordination of elementary education children (male and female) that play tennis according to their age and gender and to investigate the relationship between their motor ability tests and performances. A total of 210 children tennis players (9 to 10 years; 105 males and 105 females) who have the Turkish Tennis Federation club licence and individual licence were included in the study. The height, body weight of the subjects were measured to determine their performance- related physical coordination. Tests of ball throwing, 10 m sprint, two-feet jumping, range, static balance and vertical jumping were performed. Pearson correlation test was used to determine the relationship between the motor tests used in detection of performance related physical coordination. According to statistical results, there was a significantly negative difference between the parameters of ball-throwing-10 m sprint and 10 m sprint-two feet jumping (p=0.001), a significantly negative difference between the parameters of 10 m sprint-vertical jumping, two feet jumping-static balance and range test-static balance (p=0.05), a significantly positive difference between the parameters of ball-throwing- two feet jumping and vertical jumping-static balance (p=0.001) and a significantly positive difference between the parameters of range test-vertical jumping (p=0,01), a significantly positive difference between the parameters of ball throwing-vertical jumping, ball throwing-range test and 10 m sprint-range test (p=0,05). There was no significant difference between the parameters of ball throwing-static balance, 10 m sprint-static balance, two feet jumping-range test and two feet jumping-vertical jumping. As a result, the relationship of motor ability test parameters in female and male children tennis player in the age group of 9 to 10 was demonstrated. It can be suggested that the tennis performance of the children could be estimated in this age group by the significance of the relationship between their motor ability tests. Key words: Tennis, physical fitness, motor ability tests, Pearson Correlation, elementary age.

Effects of Third Age Learning Programs on the Life Satisfaction, Self-Esteem, and Depression Level among a Select Group of Community Dwelling Filipino Elderly

With the growing number of older adults becoming a global concern, many countries have focused on education as a means of promoting successful aging. Although third age learning is gaining substantial ground in other countries, it is not well-established in the Philippines. The overall intent of this experimental study was to assess the effectiveness of community-based third age learning programs on the life satisfaction, self-esteem, and level of depression of a select group of Filipino elderly in a community setting. A pre- posttest study design was used on 40 community dwelling Filipino elderly who were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. Both groups accomplished the Life Satisfaction Index for the Third Age Short Form (LSITA-SF), Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale (RSES), and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The experimental group was exposed to a four-month program consisting of wellness, physical fitness, and livelihood training activities facilitated by volunteer faculty from a local university; the control group received no intervention. The results of t tests showed statistically significant group differences between the experimental and control group, with the former posting higher life satisfaction, self-esteem, and lower depression level compared to the control group. Findings of this study add to the knowledge base that active participation in third age learning programs—which include opportunities for physical activity, cognitive learning, recreation, and social interaction—can improve the psychological and psychosocial health of an older adult.

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.

성인 여성의 체력과 심박변이도로 측정한 자율신경기능의 관계

This study investigated the relationship between physical fitness(PF) and autonomic activity measured by heart rate variability in 46 women(30.8-58.4 years). PF included both of health and exercise function related ones. The results showed significantly positive correlation between muscular endurance(ME) and parasympathetic activity(RMSSD and logarithmic high frequency level(HFlog). Response time(RT) also showed significantly negative relationship with RMSSD, HFlog, and logarithmic total power. As a result of comparison of PF among 4 groups distributed by HFlog, the group with 50-75 percentile level of HFlog showed significantly superior ME and RT than 0-25 percentile group. In conclusion, ME and RT were related to parasympathetic activity in adult women and these PF factors are most superior in women with optimally not excessively activated parasympathetic system.

Association Between Health-Related Quality of Life, Physical Fitness, and Physical Activity in Older Adults Recently Discharged From Hospital

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship among health-related quality of life (HRQOL), physical fitness, and physical activity in older patients after recent discharge from hospital. One hundred fifteen independent-living older adults (ages 70-92 years) were included. HRQOL (Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey), physical activity (Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly), and physical fitness (Senior Fitness Test) were measured 2-4 weeks after discharge. Higher levels of physical activity and physical fitness were correlated with higher self-reported HRQOL. Although cause and effect cannot be determined from this study, the results suggest that a particular focus on the value of physical activity and physical fitness while in hospital and when discharged from hospital may be important to encourage patients to actively preserve independence and HRQOL. It may be especially important to target those with lower levels of physical activity, poorer physical fitness, and multiple comorbidities.

Older Adults Recently Discharged from the Hospital: Effect of Aerobic Interval Exercise on Health‐Related Quality of Life, Physical Fitness, and Physical Activity

To compare the effect of high-intensity aerobic interval exercise (HIA) with home-based exercise (HB) in older adults with chronic disease soon after discharge from the hospital. Randomized controlled trial. Hospital. Community-dwelling older adults aged 70 to 92 (N = 115) were recruited while in the hospital. After discharge, they were randomized to HIA group (n = 59) or HB (n = 56). High-intensity aerobic interval exercise (HIA) consisted of endurance, strength, and balance exercises. The HB consisted of low-intensity exercises and telephone follow-up from a physical therapist. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Survey, physical fitness was measured using the Senior Fitness Test, and physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly. Intention-to-treat analysis showed that both groups improved their HRQOL and physical activity after 3 months. Improvements on the Senior Fitness Test (chair stand, arm curl and 6-minute walk (6MWT)) were significantly greater in the HIA group than the HB group. The mean difference was 25.9 m on the 6MWT (P = .001, effect size d = 0.2), 1.3 per 30 seconds on the chair stands mean (P = .001, effect size d = 0.3), and 1.6 per 30 seconds on the arm curl (P = .001, effect size d = 0.4). High-intensity aerobic interval exercise (HIA) participants significantly improved their physical fitness. Both groups increased their HRQOL and physical activity. The findings suggest that exercise therapy should be incorporated as a part of the treatment for older people at risk for functional decline.

A Coach for All

Numerous studies have shown the high level of influence interscholastic coaches’ yield at their respective campuses (Côté &amp; Fraser-Thomas, 2007; Fredericks &amp; Eccles, 2006; Greendorfer, 2002). This influence is not confined to athletes only, but extends to a large portion of the general student body as well. Coaches, especially interscholastic coaches, can become centers of influence (COI) for physical fitness and physical activity participation throughout the entire student body. This often unsolicited influence can have dramatic effects on how non-participants view initiatives and opportunities encouraged by “their” coach. For example, coaches can personally recruit new athletes, provide mentoring, and/or encourage participation in after-school activities.

Cohort Profile: The Motorik-Modul Longitudinal Study: physical fitness and physical activity as determinants of health development in German children and adolescents

The Motorik-Modul (MoMo) Longitudinal Study aims to contribute to long-term improvement in the health of German children and adolescents by focusing on: (i) the development of physical fitness and physical activity (including period effects); (ii) the individual and physical/social environmental determinants of the development of physical fitness and physical activity; and (iii) the impact of physical fitness and physical activity on the development of physical and mental health. The MoMo Longitudinal Study began with a nationwide representative sample of 4529 children and adolescents who ranged in age from 4-17 years at the study baseline (2003-2006). The first survey wave of the MoMo Longitudinal Study was conducted between 2009 and 2012, with two subsequent survey waves to be conducted between 2014 and 2016 and 2018 and 2020, respectively. The MoMo Longitudinal Study includes a physical fitness test profile, a physical activity questionnaire, and subjective and objective measures of health from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey (KiGGS). Data access is provided on request (alexander.woll@kit.edu). For further information, including a complete list of publications please visit www.motorik-modul.de.

Study protocol: the relation of birth weight and infant growth trajectories with physical fitness, physical activity and sedentary behavior at 8-9 years of age - the ABCD study.

BackgroundLow birth weight and accelerated infant growth have been identified as independent risk factors for childhood and adult obesity and cardiovascular disease. This led to the ‘Developmental Origins of Health and Disease’ (DOHaD) hypothesis, stating that environmental factors during pregnancy and early postnatal life affect disease risk in later life. There is growing evidence that perinatal factors may influence adult health through the programming of energy balance regulation, including sedentary behavior and physical activity. The present study focuses on the influence of birth weight and infant growth on physical fitness, physical activity and sedentary behavior in 8-9 year old children, as this might partly explain the higher obesity and cardiovascular risk associated with low birth weight and accelerated infant growth. In addition, this study provides the opportunity for a validation study of a linguistic and cross-cultural translated physical activity questionnaire compared to accelerometer data. This article describes the study protocol for this study.Methods/DesignThis is a study embedded in the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) birth cohort. In 200 children of Dutch ethnicity, physical fitness, physical activity and sedentary behavior were assessed at age 8-9. We measured aerobic fitness using the 20 meter multistage shuttle run test, and neuromuscular fitness using the standing broad jump and handgrip strength test. Sedentary behavior and physical activity levels were measured using accelerometry. All children also completed a translated physical activity questionnaire, the scores of which will be compared to accelerometry data to assess the construct validity of the questionnaire in Dutch school-aged children.DiscussionThis study will be the first population-based prospective cohort study to address the association of both prenatal and postnatal growth with physical fitness and objectively-assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior. This will contribute to a better understanding of the way perinatal growth relate to lifestyle and obesity in later life. The results may guide both future studies in the field of DOHaD, and public health strategies in the prevention of childhood obesity.

The history of a habit: jogging as a palliative to sedentariness in 1960s America.

This article provides an account of the emergence of jogging as mass physical fitness practice in America in the 1960s. It explores how jogging was configured as a physical fitness activity suitable for sedentary middle-aged men and women. Jogging developed as a counter to the ill-effects of habits entrained by the increasingly sedentary lifestyles of modern industrialized urban and suburban dwellers. The paper traces the development of jogging as a defined exercise routine at the University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon. Focusing on the moment when jogging is ‘invented’ as a recognizable fitness practice tells a great deal about the origin of contemporary regimes of physical fitness for the middle-aged population and how they have evolved. It also points to the significance of understanding how the shaping of corporeal habits play into the making of (1) individual bodies, (2) common practices of corporeal care and activity, and (3) environments of physical activity.

Clinician's Commentary on DePaul et al.

Clinician's Commentary on DePaul et al.

Relations Between Sedentary Behavior and FITNESSGRAM Healthy Fitness Zone Achievement and Physical Activity

To investigate the relations between sedentary behaviors and health-related physical fitness and physical activity in middle school boys and girls. Students (n = 1515) in grades 6-8 completed the Youth Risk Behavior Survey sedentary behavior questions, the FITNESSGRAM physical fitness items, and FITNESSGRAM physical activity self-report questions. When students reported ≤ 2 hours per day of sedentary behaviors, their odds of achieving the FITNESSGRAM Healthy Fitness Zone for aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition increased. Similarly, the odds of achieving physical activity guidelines for children increased when students reported ≤ 2 hours per day of sedentary behaviors. Results illustrate the importance of keeping sedentary behaviors to ≤ 2 hours per day in middle school children, thus increasing the odds that the student will achieve sufficient health-related fitness benefits and be more likely to achieve the national physical activity guidelines.

Age and Gender Differences in Adolescent and Adult Overarm Throwing

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to examine age and gender differences in throwing performance across an underexplored portion of the lifespan: middle adolescents (14–17 years old), young adults (18–25 years old), and adults (35–55 years old). Method: Throwing performance was assessed using the body component levels from Roberton's developmental sequences for force and ball velocity that were recorded by a radar gun. Participants in each age group performed between 5 to 10 forceful overhand throws toward a target approximately 15 m to 20 m from the thrower. A Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Test was used to determine gender differences and a Wilcoxon-Signed Ranks Test was used to determine age-group differences for each component. Gender and age-group differences in ball speed were determined by a 3 (age group) × 2 (gender) factorial analysis of variance with follow-up post-hoc tests. Results: Young-adult men had higher body component levels and ball speed compared with the adolescent boys and adult men. Female age-group differences existed only for humerus action between young-adult and adult groups and for ball speed between young-adult and adolescent groups. Gender differences (p < .01) existed in component levels for the adolescent and young-adult groups, but not the adult groups. Gender differences in ball speed (p < .001) existed within each age group. Conclusion: Although these data were cross-sectional, the regressive developmental changes observed and the narrowing gender gap may eventually provide insight related to the relationships among motor skill competence, physical fitness, and physical activity across the lifespan.

Educational differences in estimated and measured physical fitness

Available information about the association between education and physical fitness (PF) is scarce. The purpose of this study was to examine educational differences in PF in the working age population using different methods to assess PF. The Health 2000 Survey was carried out for adults aged ≥ 30 years (n = 8028) in Finland. For this study, 30-54-year-old men and women with data on PF and physical activity (PA) were selected (n = 3724). PF was assessed by self-estimated overall physical fitness and running ability, a physician's estimation of a participant's working capacity, the trunk extensors' endurance and hand grip strength tests. The highest educational qualification taken by the participant was used as a measure of education. The analyses were adjusted for age, PA, BMI, smoking and chronic diseases. PF was best in the high-educated men and women. The educational differences were minor in self-estimated overall PF. Adjusting for the covariates, the differences in self-estimated running ability and working capacity decreased. The educational differences in the trunk extensors' endurance test were independent of covariates. PA and other health behaviours contributed most to the differences. People with high education had better PF irrespective of the method used to assess PF. A large amount of the educational differences could be explained by PA and other health behaviours. More research is needed to understand the determinants of educational differences in PF.

Differences in Physical Fitness and Subjectively Rated Physical Health in Vietnamese and German Older Adults

This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the differences in physical fitness and subjectively rated physical health of Vietnamese and German older adults in a community dwelling. The Vietnamese sample was a random sample of 96 community-dwelling individuals aged 60 to 80years; 50% were women. Education is 0% less than 5years, 23.95% 5 to 9years, 47.91% 10 to 12years, and 28.12% more than 12years. The German sample was a random sample of 159 community-dwelling persons aged 59 to 90years; 79.8% were women. Education is 1.25% less than 5years, 40.25% 5 to 9years, 38.84% 10 to 12years, and 21.38% more than 12years. Senior Fitness Test and Short Form-36 were used as outcome measures. The Vietnamese sample shows significantly higher performance levels in motor abilities, i.e., aerobic fitness, strength, and flexibility. The Vietnamese sample indicates a lower difference in performance levels between age groups than the German sample. No differences in subjectively rated physical health factors were found. The higher performance levels of the Vietnamese sample might reflect a more active lifestyle throughout the life span, especially in socially mediated domains like living arrangements or labor work. Lower performance levels in the studied age groups of the German sample might lead to higher risks of cardiovascular diseases and proneness of falls. A more active lifestyle after retirement could contribute to a healthier, more capable, and more independent individual and collective aging. Subjectively rated health stated is a culturally mitigated domain and therefore might be independent of actual physical fitness levels.

Nutritional status and its association with physical fitness, physical activity and parasitological indicators in youths from rural mozambique

Little information exists about the relationship of nutritional status and motor performance conditional on asymptomatic parasitemia in rural African children. The aims of this study were to (1) determine if malnourished youths from rural African areas have lower levels of physical fitness (PF) and physical activity (PA) compared to normal weight youths, (2) verify the biological relevance of anthropometric criteria used to classify nutritional status in youth, and (3) determine the prevalence of parasitological indicators, and its association with nutritional status and PF. The sample comprised 794 youths (6-17 years) from Calanga, a rural community in Mozambique. PF tests were selected from standardized test batteries, and PA was estimated by accelerometry. Nutritional status was defined according to WHO recommendations for stunting, wasting and normal weight. Parasitological indicators were determined based on stool specimens' analysis. In general terms the normal group out-performed the other nutritional groups (stunted and wasted) for PF. However, no significant differences were found for PA among nutritional groups. There were also no significant differences in prevalence of intestinal parasites. Nutritional status was not associated with PA levels or the prevalence of parasitological indicators in youth, but was related to physical performance.