Physical Activity Fitness Research Articles

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND FUNCTIONAL FITNESS IN ELDERLY LIVING IN NURSING HOMES OR USING DAY CARE CENTERS: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Introduction. The loss of physical functions, health problems, limited support from families and few financial resources, leads to institutionalization (Sullivan & Asselin, 2013). Currently, one of the problems associated with institutionalization is the higher sedentary behavior and consequent loss of autonomy (Liu & Hu, 2015). Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to examine physical activity levels and functional fitness of older adults living in nursing homes or using day care center. Method. Thirty-two older adults (85.5 ± 5.7 years) from both genders participated in this study; 14 nursing home residents and 18 day care center users. Physical activity data were collected through accelerometry. Functional fitness were evaluated with physical fitness field tests. Results: The participants of this study have extremely low levels of functional fitness and physical activity and high levels of sedentary behavior. In nursing home residents (NH), the mean time in sedentary behavior and moderate physical activity was 9h48min/day and 2.2 min/day, respectively. In the same group, the mean time spent in light physical activity was 77.5 min/day. In day care center (DCC) users the mean time in sedentary behavior and moderate physical activity was 7h48min/day and 1.6 min/day, respectively. Older adults attending DCC showed better results than nursing home residents in the chair sit-and-reach test (DCC= -12.4±15.7 cm, NH= -22.3±4.1 cm, p=0.037), 6 min walk (DCC= 270±73.9 min, NH= 167.7±84.4 min, p<0.001) sedentary time (DCC= 7.48±0.2 hours, NH= 9.48±0.94 hours, p<0.01) and average physical activity (DCC= 82.6±18 counts/min, NH= 58.5±30.5 counts/min, p=0.03). The performance in other variables of functional fitness was not statistically different. Conclusions: Functional fitness and physical activity levels are very low in nursing home residents and in elderly users of day care center. Intervention programs are needed for these groups to reverse the decrease of physical fitness and physical activity, and promoting health and functional status.

Effects of a community-based exercise and motivational intervention on physical fitness of subjects with type 2 diabetes.

This study aimed to analyze the effects of a long-term community-based combined exercise program consisting of aerobic, resistance, flexibility and agility/balance training associated with motivational interviewing on physical fitness, physiological parameters and Physical Activity (PA) levels in middle-aged and older patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Sixty-nine diabetic subjects (mean age 63 ± 5.2 y, 62.3% M) underwent a 9-month exercise program and 12 motivational group meetings focused on PA, while 90 diabetic controls (mean age 64 ± 6.4 y, 58% M) underwent usual PA recommendations. Changes in physical fitness measured by Senior Fitness Tests, BMI, HbA1c, waist circumference (WC) and habitual PA expressed in Metabolic Equivalent of Tasks (METs)-min/week were evaluated in each group through the International PA Questionnaire and compared between groups. At the end of the intervention participants showed significant improvements in BMI (29.3 to 27.6 kg/m2, P < 0.03), HbA1c (6.5 to 6.1%, P < 0.01), WC (104.2 to 95.6 cm, P < 0.01) and all the physical fitness parameters (P < 0.01) but lower body flexibility (P = 0.82), while only upper body strength (P = 0.04) and agility (P ≤ 0.01) improved significantly in controls. Habitual PA increased in participants and controls (+67 and +19 METs-min/week, respectively, P ≤ 0.01). Changes in physical fitness and PA levels registered in the two groups differed significantly (P < 0.01), while improvements in BMI, HbA1c and WC did not (P = 0.40, P = 0.52, P = 0.05, respectively). A long-term motivational exercise-based intervention may be more effective than PA recommendations only in improving physical fitness and PA levels in individuals with T2D and produce similar health improvements.

The Effect of Breast Size on Physical Fitness, Body Image and Physical Activity Level in University Studentes

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of breast size on upper extremity flexibility, back extensors strength, back extensors endurance, body image and physical activity level. Method: A total of 80 female students (n=20 in each group; A, B, C, D bra cup size) between the ages of 18-25 years participated in this study. The physical fitness assessment was done by; Shoulder Reach Test (SRT) for upper extremity flexibility, back and leg dynamometer for back extensors strength, Sorensen Test (ST) for back extensors endurance and 3 Minute Step Test (3 MST) for cardiorespiratory fitness. The Body Image Scale (BIS) for assessing the body image and the International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ) for evaluating the physical activity level was also used. Results: The right upper extremity flexibility of woman with B cup size were significantly less flexible than the A cup size (p=0.004). The cardiorespiratory fitness of the woman with A and B cup sizes were significantly different than the woman with D cup size (p=0.001 and p=0.002, respectively). The activity level of the woman with D cup size was significantly less than those with C cup size (p=0.007). The other parameters of physical fitness (i.e. back extensors strength, back extensors endurance) and body image were not significantly different when comparing woman with different cup sizes. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels of the woman with D cup size were different when comparing to the woman’s with smaller cup sizes. With the light of this study we could suggest for the woman with bigger cup sizes to increase their activity levels in order to prevent possible problems like reduced physical fitness and disturbed body image in the future.

2446 - Monitoring Daily Activities and Linking Physical Activity Levels Attributed to Transportation Mobility Choices

Background Transportation decisions impact human health at least in three ways, such as traffic crashes, environmental impact, and physical fitness. While there have been ample efforts in reducing traffic crashes and environmental impacts, less attention has been paid to their impacts on physical fitness. Recent efforts on the relationship between transportation and physical fitness were mostly from the context of active transportation. Potential benefits of active transportation include saving in mobility costs, benefits from related businesses, community savings in costs associated with health and environmental benefits. Although it is difficult to predict how a particular transportation planning decision affects physical fitness, total impacts are likely to be large. Diseases associated with inadequate physical fitness cause an order of magnitude of more deaths, and more than road crashes. Even modest reductions in these illnesses could provide significant health benefits. Therefore, there is a strong need for investigating how transportation options affect the physical activities and public health. Methods The research team developed a mobile application that collects individuals’ daily travel activities physical fitness activities. While the travel activity data are collected from the GPS information from individuals’ mobile phone, the fitness activity data are collected from Fitbit. Data collected from 200 subjects chosen in Michigan and Texas are transmitted to a server for further analysis. The data allows comparison of physical activity associated with transportation choices in different geographical areas and its seasonal variations. Results The data logged each minute were processed to determine daily activity (type, location, and duration), travel activity (transportation mode, travel time), and physical activity (heart rates and duration). The heart rates collected from Fitbit were useful in determining activity types and the transportation mode. The integrated approach allowed classification of various activity types and transportation modes. The amount of physical activity by activity type and travel mode was quantified by using the heart rate and the activity duration. The initial survey showed that those who were active in physical activity tend to choose active transportation options. Conclusion This study developed a mobile system that is able to collect daily activity, transportation choices, and the amount of physical activity. The data collected were analyzed to quantify the amount of physical activity by different transportation choice. This research is expected to help incorporate public health in evaluating transportation policies and alternatives by providing a method quantifying the amount of physical activities and associated health benefits.

EFEKTIVITAS SENAM AEROBIK INTENSITAS SEDANG TERHADAP TEKANAN DARAH DAN KESEGARAN JASMANI PADA REMAJA OVERWEIGHT DI JURUSAN GIZI POLTEKKES KEMENKES SEMARANG

Background : Overweight is one nutritional status problem with excess body fat percent, has a prolonged impact on the risk of degenerative diseases. Overweight is one of factor that triggers hypertension and affects the physical fitness of the decreasing and easily tired.Objective : To know the effectiveness of moderate intensity aerobic exercise on blood pressure and physical fitness of overweight adolescentsatthe Nutrition Department of PoltekkesKemenkes Semarang.Methods : This study was one of community nutrition. True-Experimental with pre and post-control group design was used. Random sampling technique was used to get 17 treatment samples and 17 control samples. The collected data contained characteristics data, anthropometric (height, weight), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Dyastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), Physical fitness, energy intake and physical activity. T-tests(paired t test and independent t test) were analyzed to determine the differences between variables.Results : After moderat intensity of aerobic exercise at 5 weeks, there was a significant different (p0,05) between treatment and control groups on physical fitness (21,84±5,25 vs 12,92±5,24 ml/kg/minutes). There were no differences (p0,05) for SBP (113.47±9,47 vs 117,17±13,11 mmHg) and DBP (80,2±11,55 vs 76,71±8,42 mmHg ) in both of group.Conclusion : There was a difference in the increase in physical fitness of the treatment group p = 0,000 (p 0.05)

Obesity parameters, physical activity, and physical fitness are correlated with serum dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity in a healthy population

ObjectiveTo determine whether obesity, physical fitness, and physical activity parameters are associated with the enzymatic activity of serum dipeptidyl peptidase IV (sDPPIV) in a sample of healthy women and men. Design and methodsWe have correlated parameters of obesity, physical fitness, and physical activity with sDPPIV activity in 374 healthy subjects (age: 60.7 ± 6.9 years, body mass index: 26.1 ± 4.1 kg/m2). Enzymatic activity was analyzed using spectrofluorimetry, body composition was assessed by impedanciometry, physical fitness data were obtained using the Senior Fitness Test, and physical activity data were collected by accelerometer. Pearson's partial correlation analysis was applied to determine the relationship between DPPIV activity and the rest of parameters and significantly correlated variables were introduced into linear regression models to predict DPPIV. ResultsSerum DPPIV activity was negatively associated with obesity parameters such as body mass (r = −0.112), body mass index (BMI) (r = −0.147), waist circumference (r = −0.164), waist-to-hip ratio (−0.104), and percentage of fat mass (r = −0.185). Serum DPPIV activity was positively associated with cardiovascular fitness (r = 0.138), total amount of physical activity (r = 0.153), and time spent doing light exercise (r = 0.184). Regression models revealed sex differences in enzyme activity with overall activity higher in women than in men (β = 0.437, p < 0.001). Further, percent fat mass was an independent negative predictor of DPPIV activity (β = −0.184, p = 0.001). Serum DPPIV activity was positively predicted based on the amount of time spent doing light physical activity (β = 0.167, p = 0.001). ConclusionOur results demonstrate that sDPPIV activity is positively associated with healthier parameters regarding fatness, fitness and physical activity.

Effects of 12-week combined exercise program on self-efficacy, physical activity level, and health related physical fitness of adults with intellectual disability.

The current study examined the effects of an exercise program on health related physical fitness, self-efficacy, and physical activity levels in adults with intellectual disability. The study used pre- and posttest experimental research design with a control group. Total of 23 adults with intellectual disability were recruited with 12 assigned for the exercise group and 11 for the control group, separately. The measures of health related physical fitness included cardio pulmonary endurance (step-test), body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis), flexibility (sit and reach), muscle endurance (sit-up), and strength (hand grip strength). Self-efficacy was measured using the physical self-efficacy scale. Accelerometers were used to measure physical activity levels. All variables were measured and evaluated twice at baseline and at the end of the program. The exercise program consisted of band exercises and rhythmic activity for 90 min, twice per week for 12 weeks. After the intervention, significant improvements were found in the experimental group in muscle endurance, self-efficacy, and physical activity levels. An exercise program may be recommended as a nonpharmaceutical method to improve the health of adults with intellectual disabilities.

Physical activity level and body composition in a multiethnic sample of school children in Hawaii

Background: Obesity, particularly in Native Hawaiians, is an important health risk. A possible contributing factor to obesity is reduced physical activity levels.Aim: This study investigates the relationship between measured levels of physical activity and body composition in two grade cohorts of school children of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI) and non-NHPI ethnicity.Methods: A sample of 105 Kindergarteners and third graders were measured for adiposity, physical fitness, and physical activity levels. Ethnicity was determined from genealogical surveys. BMI, waist circumference (WC) and body fat percentage derived from air displacement plethysmography were used to evaluate adiposity. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max/kg) was estimated and total energy expenditure (TEE), physical activity level (PAL) and percentage of time inactive (PTI) were determined using the Flex-heart rate method.Results: VO2max, but not TEE, PAL or PTI, was significantly correlated with BMI in Kindergarteners; while VO2max and PAL were negatively correlated with BMI, PAL was significantly negatively correlated with WC and PTI was positively correlated with fat percentage among third graders. There were no significant ethnic differences in VO2max, TEE, PAL or PTI.Conclusions: PAL and PTI are moderately related to adiposity measures, and there are no ethnic differences in physical activity or fitness measures in this sample.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Big data analysis and research on consumption demand of sports fitness leisure activities

With the rapid development of modern society, people are no longer satisfied with the rapid enrichment of the material life. The quality of life demands are put on the agenda of ordinary people. Health has become the first issue of concern. The number of people who exercise in health care has been increasing year by year. The national fitness has become a national strategy, the fitness has become the focus of national attention. This paper analyzes the present situation of consumer demand for physical fitness and leisure activities in the context of big data, and reflects on the existing problems in the current consumer fitness and leisure market, and proposes specific measures to solve the problem of consumer fitness and leisure markets in China. Furthermore, this paper aims to stimulate consumer demand of resident who take part in fitness leisure activities, and to further satisfy and expand consumer demand.

Effects of a Physical Exercise Program (PEP-Aut) on Autistic Children's Stereotyped Behavior, Metabolic and Physical Activity Profiles, Physical Fitness, and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Study Protocol.

Physical exercise has shown positive effects on symptomatology and on the reduction of comorbidities in population with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, there is still no consensus about the most appropriate exercise intervention model for children with ASD. The physical exercise program for children with autism (PEP-Aut) protocol designed allow us to (i) examine the multivariate associations between ASD symptoms, metabolic profile, physical activity level, physical fitness, and health-related quality of life of children with ASD; (ii) assess the effects of a 40-week exercise program on all these aspects of children with ASD. The impact of the exercise program will be assessed based on the sequence of the two phases. Phase 1 is a 12-week cross-sectional study assessing the symptomatology, metabolic profile, physical fitness and physical activity levels, socioeconomic status profile, and health-related quality of life of participants. This phase is the baseline of the following phase. Phase 2 is a 48-week intervention study with a 40-week intervention with exercise that will take place in a specialized center for children with ASD in the city of Maceió-Alagoas, Brazil. The primary outcomes will be change in the symptomatic profile and the level of physical activity of children. Secondary outcomes will be anthropometric and metabolic profiles, aerobic function, grip strength, socioeconomic status, and health-related quality of life. The study will provide critical information on the efficacy of exercise for children with ASD and help guide design and delivery of future programs.

The associations of self-reported physical fitness and physical activity with sleep quality in young adults: A population-based study

Statement of problemAlthough evidence suggests that physical activity and physical fitness are associated with sleep quality, little is known about these associations in young adults. Moreover, existing results have been inconsistent and need further exploration. Thus, the main purpose of the present study was to explore the associations of self-reported physical activity and self-reported physical fitness with sleep quality. MethodsTwo-thousand and one-hundred participants (age; mean ± SD = 20.87 ± 2.11 years; 50.9% of women) years were recruited. Physical fitness, physical activity and sleep quality were assessed by previously validated questionnaires. ResultsAfter adjusting for sex, self-rated health, body-mass index, socioeconomic status, smoking status, alcohol consumption, presence or absence of chronic diseases and psychological distress, ‘lower’ levels of self-reported physical fitness and ‘insufficient’ self-reported physical activity were associated with poor sleep quality. When entered simultaneously into the model, both ‘lower’ levels of self-reported physical fitness and ‘insufficient’ self-reported physical activity remained associated with poor sleep quality. ConclusionOur results show that “lower” levels of physical fitness and “insufficient” physical activity are associated with “poor” sleep quality in a large sample of young adults. Thus, special policies and strategies that enhance physical fitness and physical activity as protective factors are warranted.

Genetic and environmental (physical fitness and sedentary activity) interaction effects on cardiometabolic risk factors in Mexican American children and adolescents.

Knowledge on genetic and environmental (G × E) interaction effects on cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) in children is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of G × E interaction effects on CMRFs in Mexican American (MA) children (n=617, ages 6-17 years). The environments examined were sedentary activity (SA), assessed by recalls from "yesterday" (SAy) and "usually" (SAu) and physical fitness (PF) assessed by Harvard PF scores (HPFS). CMRF data included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fat mass (FM), fasting insulin (FI), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, and number of metabolic syndrome components (MSC). We examined potential G × E interaction in the phenotypic expression of CMRFs using variance component models and likelihood-based statistical inference. Significant G × SA interactions were identified for six CMRFs: BMI, WC, FI, HOMA-IR, MSC, and HDL, and significant G × HPFS interactions were observed for four CMRFs: BMI, WC, FM, and HOMA-IR. However, after correcting for multiple hypothesis testing, only WC × SAy, FM × SAy, and FI × SAu interactions became marginally significant. After correcting for multiple testing, most of CMRFs exhibited significant G × E interactions (Reduced G × E model vs. Constrained model). These findings provide evidence that genetic factors interact with SA and PF to influence variation in CMRFs, and underscore the need for better understanding of these relationships to develop strategies and interventions to effectively reduce or prevent cardiometabolic risk in children.

Health-related physical fitness and physical activity in elementary school students

BackgroundThis study examined associations between students’ physical fitness and physical activity (PA), as well as what specific physical fitness components were more significant correlates to being physically active in different settings for boys and girls.MethodsA total of 265 fifth-grade students with an average age of 11 voluntarily participated in this study. The students’ physical fitness was assessed using four FitnessGram tests, including Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER), curl-up, push-up, and trunk lift tests. The students’ daily PA was assessed in various settings using a daily PA log for 7 days. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics, univariate analyses, and multiple R-squared liner regression methods.ResultsPerformance on the four physical fitness tests was significantly associated with the PA minutes spent in physical education (PE) class and recess for the total sample and for girls, but not for boys. Performance on the four fitness tests was significantly linked to participation in sports/dances outside school and the total weekly PA minutes for the total sample, boys, and girls. Further, boys and girls who were the most physically fit spent significantly more time engaging in sports/dances and had greater total weekly PA than boys and girls who were not physically fit. In addition, the physically fit girls were more physically active in recess than girls who were not physically fit.ConclusionsOverall, students’ performance on the four physical fitness tests was significantly associated with them being physically active during PE and in recess and engaging in sports/dances, as well as with their total weekly PA minutes, but not with their participation in non-organized physical play outside school.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03015337, registered date: 1/09/2017, as “retrospectively registered”

Relationship in obese Chilean schoolchildren between physical fitness, physical activity levels and cardiovascular risk factors.

Background: obesity and lower physical fitness levels in children are related to the development of cardiometabolic risk factors. Objective: to determine the relationship between health-related physical fitness and physical activity levels, blood pressure, and anthropometric parameters for different weight statuses of Chilean schoolchildren. Material and methods: the participants were 272 girls and 333 boys having a mean age of 12.00 ± 1.23 years. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), standing long jump test (SLJ), handgrip strength, physical activity (PA) levels, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and body fat (BF) were measured. To establish the relationship between the variables, partial correlations adjusted by sex were carried out and the Chi-square test was applied to compare the proportions between groups. Results: VO2max (p < 0.001) was higher in schoolchildren of normal weight. SBP and DBP were higher in obese schoolchildren (p < 0.001). Physical fitness was inversely related to SBP: VO2max (r = -0.26, p < 0.001), SLJ (r = -0.11, p = 0.007) and handgrip strength (r = -0.10, p = 0.021), and had a positive relationship with PA: VO2max (r = 0.31, p < 0.001), SLJ (r = 0.18, p < 0.001), and handgrip strength (r = 0.26, p < 0.001). Moreover, VO2max and SLJ were inversely related to BMI and WC (p < 0.05). The group of obese schoolchildren contained the highest percentage of individuals with hypertension (p < 0.001). Conclusion: the results obtained in this study show that physical fi tness has an inverse relationship with SBP and a positive relationship with PA levels. Besides, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and SLJ are inversely associated with the predictors of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Finally, obese children presented lower physical fitness and included a higher proportion of individuals with hypertension.

Teenagers Understanding and Influence of Media Content on their Diet and Health- Related Behaviour

Introduction: Mass media plays a vital role in health communication. The target audience of mass media ranges from children, to geriatric population. Mass media often gives least priority to certain science topics for a variety of reasons, mostly to protect commercial interests. In this context, the present study is attempted to elicit teenagers understanding of diet and health-related content through mass media. Objectives: To study the influence of mass media content on teenagers. To analyze how teenagers are influenced by media messages on their diet and health-related behaviours. Methodology: Cross-sectional method with stratified random sampling consisting of 3 types of economic groups viz., lower-income, middle-income and higher income. Results and conclusion: Media content on diet and health-related behaviour motivates teenagers, particularly those messages laced with celebrities’ endorsements. Commercial food and beverage products endorsed by celebrities are being consumed by majority of teenagers. Majority teenagers say that, they tend to take one or other kind of physical fitness activity whenever they see a fit body of film actors/ actress and sportspersons in media.

Physical fitness and physical activity in Norwegian Home Guard soldiers

Purpose: The aim of this project was to describe physical fitness and objectively measured physical activity levels in a nationally representative sample of reservist soldiers in the Norwegian Home Guard (HG). The study also aimed to discuss whether HG soldiers meet general occupational minimum requirements for physical fitness.

Physical fitness and prior physical activity are both associated with less cortisol secretion during psychosocial stress

ABSTRACTBackground: Evidence linking fitness and decreased psychosocial stress comes from studies of athletes and typically relies upon self-report measures. Furthermore, there is little evidence regarding the impact of physical activity (PA) prior to a stressor. The aims of this study were to determine whether fitness and prior PA influence cortisol concentrations during psychosocial stress.Methods: Seventy-five non-athletic participants took part in a submaximal walk prior to the Trier Social Stress Test for Groups (TSST-G). During the walk, fitness was assessed using heart rate (HR). A further 89 participants took part in the TSST-G without the walk. Stress responsiveness was assessed using salivary cortisol collected at 10-min intervals on seven occasions.Results: Hierarchical multiple regression revealed that average walking HR accounted for 9% of the variance in cortisol secretion (P = .016), where a higher HR was associated with higher cortisol secretion. Between-subjects ANCOVA revealed that the walking group had a significantly lower cortisol secretion than the non-walking group (P = .009).Conclusions: These findings indicate that fitter individuals have reduced cortisol secretion during psychosocial stress. They also indicate that prior PA can reduce cortisol concentrations during psychosocial stress and are suggestive of a role of PA in reducing the impact of stress on health.

A Sports-Based Youth Development Program, Teen Mental Health, and Physical Fitness: An RCT.

To assess the effectiveness of a positive youth development (PYD)-based sports mentorship program on the physical and mental well-being of adolescents recruited in a community setting. This is a randomized controlled trial in which we recruited students from 12 secondary schools in Hong Kong, China. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to an intervention or a control arm after stratification for school from October 2013 to June 2014. Participants were not blinded to allocation because of the nature of the intervention. Students in the intervention arm received an after-school, PYD-based sports mentorship for 18 weeks. Each weekly session lasted 90 minutes. Students in the control arm received exclusive access to a health education Web site. Six hundred and sixty-four students (mean age 12.3 years [SD 0.76]; 386 girls [58.1%]) completed baseline and postintervention assessments. The intervention improved students' mental well-being (Cohen's d, 0.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10 to 0.40; P = .001), self-efficacy (Cohen's d, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.37; P = .01), resilience (Cohen's d, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.34; P = .02), physical fitness (flexibility [Cohen's d, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.43; P = .02], lower limb muscle strength [Cohen's d, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.33; P = .03], and dynamic balance [Cohen's d, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.37; P = .01]), and physical activity levels (Cohen's d, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.55; P < .0001). The intervention did not significantly improve physical well-being (Cohen's d, -0.01; 95% CI, -0.17 to 0.14; P = .86), BMI z scores (Cohen's d, -0.03; 95% CI, -0.18 to 0.12; P = .69), body fat proportion (Cohen's d, -0.15; 95% CI, -0.31 to 0.00; P = .051), and social connectedness (Cohen's d, -0.03; 95% CI, -0.18 to 0.12; P = .72). A PYD-based sports mentorship intervention improved healthy adolescents' mental well-being, psychological assets, physical fitness, and physical activity levels.

Anthropometric Characteristics and Physical Fitness in Rural and Urban 11- to 16-Year-Old Melanesian Adolescents: A Cross-sectional Study in New Caledonian Schools.

We evaluated anthropometric characteristics and physical fitness in 556 Melanesian adolescents from rural and urban New Caledonia to build health education programs focused on physical activity. In 2013, body weight, height, skinfold thickness, lean body mass (LBM), percentage fat body mass (%FBM), physical fitness (power, agility, speed, maximal aerobic speed [MAS], estimated VO2max), and self-reported physical activity were assessed. Rural adolescents were significantly shorter and faster, had lower weight, %FBM, LBM, and power output and similar MAS and VO2max, and were more active than urban adolescents. Rural girls were significantly shorter, had higher MAS and VO2max, and were faster and significantly more active than urban girls while similar %BFM was observed in both groups of girls. Rural boys showed significantly lower height, weight, %FBM, and power and were significantly faster and more active than urban boys. In conclusion, rural Melanesian adolescents are more active, with good physical fitness (especially boys), although high %FBM was noted (especially in girls).

The association between anthropometric measures and lung function in a population-based study of Canadian adults.

Decreased lung function has health impacts beyond diagnosable lung disease. It is therefore important to understand the factors that may influence even small changes in lung function including obesity, physical fitness and physical activity. The aim of this study was to determine the anthropometric measure most useful in examining the association with lung function and to determine how physical activity and physical fitness influence this association. The current study used cross-sectional data on 4662 adults aged 40-79 years from the Canadian Health Measures Survey Cycles 1 and 2. Linear regression models were used to examine the association between the anthropometric and lung function measures (forced expiratory volume in 1s [FEV1] and forced vital capacity [FVC]); R2 values were compared among models. Physical fitness and physical activity terms were added to the models and potential confounding was assessed. Models using sum of 5 skinfolds and waist circumference consistently had the highest R2 values for FEV1 and FVC, while models using body mass index consistently had among the lowest R2 values for FEV1 and FVC and for men and women. Physical activity and physical fitness were confounders of the relationships between waist circumference and the lung function measures. Waist circumference remained a significant predictor of FVC but not FEV1 after adjustment for physical activity or physical fitness. Waist circumference is an important predictor of lung function. Physical activity and physical fitness should be considered as potential confounders of the relationship between anthropometric measures and lung function.