Decline In Physical Fitness Research Articles

THE ROLE OF PHYSICAL FITNESS IN DETECTING AGE-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN SKELETAL MUSCLE OXIDATIVE FUNCTION DURING WHOLE-BODY AND ISOLATED MUSCLE WORK

A decline in skeletal muscle function is thought to be a key factor contributing to the decreased functional capacity and quality of life associated with aging. Although the exact mechanism is not fully understood, impaired mitochondrial and microvascular function are thought to play a major role. A complicating factor in determining the physiological mechanisms of aging is the fact that aging typically coincides with a decline in physical fitness due to lifestyle changes. PURPOSE: To evaluate age-related differences in skeletal muscle oxidative function using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and to examine the role of physical fitness. METHODS: Nineteen young (Y: 26.2 ± 3.0 yrs) and twenty elderly (E: 62.4 ± 4.3 yrs) adults participated in this study. Skeletal muscle oxidative function was evaluated during whole-body exercise (cycling) and isolated muscle work (handgrip exercise) using NIRS. Muscle oxyhemoglobin saturation (SmO2) was measured in the leg and forearm. Vascular occlusions were applied at rest and immediately following submaximal cycling (CY) and handgrip (HG) exercise bouts at various intensities. End-exercise SmO2 values were calculated as the average SmO2 values during the last 30 s of each work bout, and muscle oxygen consumption (mVO2) was derived from the initial linear decrease in SmO2 during vascular occlusions. RESULTS: No differences were found in resting mVO2 for leg or forearm (all P > 0.05). Submaximal CY work rates were similar at low intensity (E: 81 ± 28 W vs Y: 89 ± 25 W, P = 0.17), but significantly lower for the elderly during high intensity (E: 182 ± 59 W vs Y: 217 ± 49 W, P = 0.02). All four submaximal HG work rates were similar for Y and E (P > 0.05). Although SmO2 responses during both exercise modes were more pronounced in Y, no significant differences between Y and E were found in end-exercise SmO2 values or mVO2 (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: When exercising at roughly equal absolute and relative work rates, muscle function was similar in E and Y, both during whole body CY as well as during isolated HG exercise. Since absolute and relative work rates were reasonably similar for both groups, the results indicate that not aging, but physical fitness level might be the determinant for the decreased muscle function that is thought to accompany aging.

Changes in Physical Fitness during Summer Months and the School Year in Austrian Elementary School Children-A 4-Year Longitudinal Study.

Even though physical fitness is an important component in children’s health and well-being, there has been a decline in physical fitness over the last several decades. The present study examined potential differences in the development of physical fitness during the academic year and summer vacation in Austrian elementary-school children. A total of 214 children (52.3% boys) completed the German motor test in the fall (after summer vacation) and spring (prior to summer vacation) of every grade throughout their elementary school years. This resulted in eight assessments of cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular fitness, flexibility, speed, agility, and balance over a 4-year period. As expected, physical fitness increased with age but the improvement in cardio-respiratory endurance and muscular fitness was more pronounced during summer vacation (p < 0.01), while the improvement in speed was more pronounced during the academic year (p < 0.01). These results indicate an influence of weather conditions on health-enhancing physical activity in addition to structural and social support. Particularly in geographical regions with cold winters and shorter days, health-enhancing physical activity may be limited. Accordingly, schools need to provide additional opportunities to ensure an adequate amount of physical activity that stimulates the development of physical fitness.

Physical Activity and Perceived Physical Fitness during the COVID-19 Epidemic: A Population of 40- to 69-Year-Olds in Japan.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an abrupt change in lifestyle for many people with restrictions, often leading to a decrease in physical activity (PA), and thus contributing to a negative perception of health status. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on physical activity and perceived physical fitness in Japanese adults aged 40 to 69 years. Data were collected from an online survey conducted between October 19 and 28, 2020. The analytic sample consisted of 1989 Japanese adults (mean age, 50.1 ± 6.9 years; women, 38.9%) who were aged between 40 and 69 years and completed the online survey. Overall, the PA time per week decreased by 32.4% between October 2019 and April 2020. A decrease in PA time was recorded in October 2020; however, a decline of 15.5% was observed. Compared to individuals who did not perceive a decline in physical fitness, individuals who perceived declining physical fitness during the COVID-19 state of emergency demonstrated a greater decrease in PA time in April 2020 (–50.5%), and this trend continued into October 2020 (–25.0%). These findings may indicate that Japanese adults aged 40 to 69 years who perceived declining physical fitness experienced a greater decrease in physical activity.

Decrease of physical fitness during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy predicts the risk of pneumonia after esophagectomy.

Although neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) is frequently used in esophageal cancer patients undergoing treatment with curative intent, it can negatively impact patients' physical fitness. A decline in physical fitness during chemoradiotherapy may be an indication of vulnerability. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether changes in physical fitness, weight, and fat-free mass index (FFMI) during nCRT can predict the risk of postoperative pneumonia. A retrospective longitudinal observational cohort study was performed in patients who received curative treatment for esophageal cancer between September 2016 and September 2018 in a high-volume center for esophageal cancer surgery. Physical fitness (handgrip strength, leg extension strength, and exercise capacity), weight, and FFMI were measured before and after chemoradiotherapy. To be included in the data analyses, pre- and post-nCRT data had to be available of at least one of the outcome measures. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the predictive value of changes in physical fitness, weight, and FFMI during nCRT on postoperative pneumonia, as defined by the Uniform Pneumonia Scale. In total, 91 patients were included in the data analyses. Significant associations were found between the changes in handgrip strength (odds ratio [OR] 0.880, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.813-0.952) and exercise capacity (OR 0.939, 95%CI: 0.887-0.993) and the occurrence of postoperative pneumonia. All pneumonias occurred in patients with declines in handgrip strength and exercise capacity after nCRT. A decrease of handgrip strength and exercise capacity during nCRT predicts the risk of pneumonia after esophagectomy for cancer. Measuring physical fitness before and after chemoradiotherapy seems an adequate method to identify patients at risk of postoperative pneumonia.

Perceived declining physical and cognitive fitness during the COVID-19 state of emergency among community-dwelling Japanese old-old adults.

AimPerceived health status, including physical and cognitive fitness, will be negatively associated with future health conditions among old‐old adults. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has caused sudden changes in lifestyle. Thus, this study examined the associations of participation in an exercise class before the COVID‐19 pandemic and the exercise habits and disruption to the rhythms of daily life during the COVID‐19 state of emergency with perceived declining physical and cognitive fitness among community‐dwelling old‐old adults.MethodsIn July 2020, we carried out a mail survey of community‐dwelling old‐old adults aged between 77 and 99 years in Bibai, Hokkaido, Japan, to determine their perceived declining physical and cognitive fitness during the COVID‐19 state of emergency.ResultsOf the 774 responders, 339 (43.8%) participants reported a decline in physical fitness, whereas 259 (33.5%) perceived declining cognitive fitness during the COVID‐19 state of emergency. In a multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for potential confounders, exercise habits during the COVID‐19 state of emergency were significantly associated with a lower perception of declining physical fitness. Disruption to the rhythms of daily life during the COVID‐19 state of emergency was significantly associated with a higher perception of declining physical and cognitive fitness.ConclusionsApproximately half and more than one‐third of community‐dwelling old‐old adults perceived declining physical and cognitive fitness, respectively, during the COVID‐19 state of emergency. During this period, exercise habits were positively correlated with perceived health status among old‐old adults, whereas disruption to the rhythms of daily life was negatively correlated. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 364–369.

The Deconditioning Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Unaffected Healthy Children.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating direct consequences on the health of affected patients. It has also had a significant impact on the ability of unaffected children to be physically active. We evaluated the effect of deconditioning from social distancing and school shutdowns implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic on the cardiovascular fitness of healthy unaffected children. This is a single-center, retrospective case–control study performed in an urban tertiary referral center. A cohort of 10 healthy children that underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing after COVID-19 hospital restrictions were lifted was compared to a matched cohort before COVID-19-related shutdowns on school and after-school activities. Comparisons of oxygen uptake (VO2) max and VO2 at anaerobic threshold between the pre- and post-COVID-19 cohorts were done. The VO2 max in the post-COVID cohort was significantly lower than in the pre-COVID cohort (39.1 vs. 44.7, p = 0.031). Only one out of ten patients had a higher VO2 max when compared to their matched pre-COVID control and was also the only patient with a documented history of participation in varsity-type athletics. The percentile of predicted VO2 was significantly lower in the post-COVID cohort (95% vs. 105%, p = 0.042). This study for the first time documented a significant measurable decline in physical fitness of healthy children as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions. Measures need to be identified that encourage and facilitate regular exercise in children in a way that are not solely dependent on school and organized after-school activities.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s00246-020-02513-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Composite Measures of Physical Fitness to Discriminate Between Healthy Aging and Heart Failure: The COmPLETE Study

BackgroundAging and changing age demographics represent critical problems of our time. Physiological functions decline with age, often ending in a systemic process that contributes to numerous impairments and age-related diseases including heart failure (HF). We aimed to analyze whether differences in composite measures of physiological function [health distance (HD)], specifically physical fitness, between healthy individuals and patients with HF, can be observed.MethodsThe COmPLETE Project is a cross-sectional study of 526 healthy participants aged 20–91 years and 79 patients with stable HF. Fifty-nine biomarkers characterizing fitness (cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, and neuromuscular coordination) and general health were assessed. We computed HDs as the Mahalanobis distance for vectors of biomarkers (all and domain-specific subsets) that quantified deviations of individuals’ biomarker profiles from “optimums” in the “reference population” (healthy participants aged <40 years). We fitted linear regressions with HD outcomes and disease status (HF/Healthy) and relevant covariates as predictors and logistic regressions for the disease outcome and sex, age, and age2 as covariates in the base model and the same covariates plus combinations of one or two HDs.ResultsNine out of 10 calculated HDs showed evidence for group differences between Healthy and HF (p ≤ 0.002) and most models presented a negative estimate of the interaction term age by group (p < 0.05 for eight HDs). The predictive performance of the base model for HF cases significantly increased by adding HD General health or HD Fitness [areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUCs) 0.63, 0.89, and 0.84, respectively]. HD Cardiovascular endurance alone reached an AUC of 0.88. Further, there is evidence that the combination of HDs Cardiovascular endurance and General health shows superior predictive power compared to single HDs.ConclusionHD composed of physical fitness biomarkers differed between healthy individuals and patients with HF, and differences between groups diminished with increasing age. HDs can successfully predict HF cases, and HD Cardiovascular endurance can significantly increase the predictive power beyond classic clinical biomarkers. Applications of HD could strengthen a comprehensive assessment of physical fitness and may present an optimal target for interventions to slow the decline of physical fitness with aging and, therefore, to increase health span.

Italian Physical Fitness Decline: A True Fact or a Mindset? A 10-Year Observational Perspective Study.

Evidence regarding a putative physical fitness decline remains less well documented for Italian children and adolescents. An update review of data collection articles was undertaken concerning motor performances (power, strength, speed-agility and indirect cardiorespiratory fitness) of children and adolescents worldwide and compared with 2859 11–12-year-old Italian students of both sexes, throughout a ten-year observational period. Lower limb explosive strength (standing broad jump), flexibility (sit-and-reach), endurance (Cooper) and speed (SP-30) performances of sixth grade Italian students showed nearly stable trends, with no differences during the observed decade, in both sexes. This 10-year perspective study confirmed that Italian physical fitness levels flatlined rather than actually declined. According to these study data, the decline in physical fitness of the Italian youth is ostensible and needs a further in-depth analysis.

Cultivation Methods of Students’ Lifelong Physical Education Consciousness in High School Physical Education

&lt;p&gt;In recent years, under the reform of new curriculum education and teaching in China, students’ learning pressure in cultural courses is getting bigger and bigger, especially in senior high schools. Due to the increasing learning pressure of cultural courses, students’ physical fitness is neglected in education, which makes students’ physical fitness decline, thus directly affecting the learning state of senior high school students. Therefore, in the education of senior high school students, attention should be paid to physical education methods, students’ lifelong sports awareness should be cultivated, and the quality of physical education methods should be enhanced so that students’ physical fitness can be improved and their full physical and mental state can be put into study.&lt;/p&gt;

Secular Trends in Physical Fitness of Children and Adolescents: A Review of Large-Scale Epidemiological Studies Published after 2006.

Physical fitness (PF) of children and adolescents is an important resource for their future health. Population-based studies, however, rarely report secular changes of PF, although monitoring of these is crucial to deriving information for adequate interventions. This review aims to report trends in PF of children and adolescents. A literature search was conducted in PubMed in July 2019. Cohort studies published in English allowing statements to be made on trends in PF by comparing youth between the ages of four and 18 years were included. The review identified 24 studies from 16 countries meeting the inclusion criteria, with an overall sample size of more than 860,000 children and adolescents. Through a standardized quality assessment tool, we classified two studies as strong, 21 as moderate, and only one as weak. We analyzed specific secular trends separately for the five different dimensions: endurance, strength, speed, flexibility, and coordination. The majority of studies report a decline of PF over time; however, a few studies report conflicting results. Performance in endurance, strength, and flexibility decreased over time, whereas there was no consistent trend reported for speed and coordination. Overall, there is no international standard on examining and reporting changes or secular trends in PF of children and adolescents, and comparability of studies is limited due to heterogeneous conditions of conducting and analyzing PF tests. Consequently, standardized and consistent international monitoring should be implemented.

Physical Fitness Maintenance In Members Of A Southeastern United States City Professional Firefighting Department

PURPOSE: Previous studies report that firefighters lacking an adequate level of physical fitness, even those classified as experts, can experience a severe physiological challenge in unpredictable environmental conditions. The purpose of this study was to assess and track the annual physical fitness performance of the members of a professional firefighting department. METHODS: As part of the annual health and fitness testing (data from 2002-2017) performed by the Bowling Green Fire Department (BGFD) in Bowling Green, KY, 153 firefighters had their physical fitness evaluated using standardized and recommended protocols published by the International Association of Fire Fighters. A mixed methods analysis was employed to examine differences over time for each of the dependent variables (push-ups, plank hold, handgrip strength, static arm pull, and static leg pull) using SPSS (v25). RESULTS: Handgrip strength performance significantly improved in the first 4 years after baseline (p < .05) followed by a steady, significant decline each following year (p < .05), with the exception of year 15 (p = .504). Push-up performance significantly declined from baseline (p < .05). The plank hold performance was maintained over the first 5 years of testing (p > .05) before showing marked improvement in the most recent year (p < .05). Although small, flexibility significantly improved from year 1 to year 2 (p < .05), but then was maintained over each subsequent year of testing (p > .05). Static arm pull and static leg pull both significantly improved for the first 4 years (p < .05), but then showed a steady decline thereafter (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, physical fitness showed a consistent improvement in the first several years tested; however, several of the muscular strength-related variables showed a consistent decline thereafter. It will be important to continue to monitor and adjust the physical training regimen to attempt to alleviate any physical fitness decline.

Image Processing Technique and Hidden Markov Model for an Elderly Care Monitoring System.

Advances in image processing technologies have provided more precise views in medical and health care management systems. Among many other topics, this paper focuses on several aspects of video-based monitoring systems for elderly people living independently. Major concerns are patients with chronic diseases and adults with a decline in physical fitness, as well as falling among elderly people, which is a source of life-threatening injuries and a leading cause of death. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a video-vision-based monitoring system using image processing technology and a Hidden Markov Model for differentiating falls from normal states for people. Specifically, the proposed system is composed of four modules: (1) object detection; (2) feature extraction; (3) analysis for differentiating normal states from falls; and (4) a decision-making process using a Hidden Markov Model for sequential states of abnormal and normal. In the object detection module, background and foreground segmentation is performed by applying the Mixture of Gaussians model, and graph cut is applied for foreground refinement. In the feature extraction module, the postures and positions of detected objects are estimated by applying the hybrid features of the virtual grounding point, inclusive of its related area and the aspect ratio of the object. In the analysis module, for differentiating normal, abnormal, or falling states, statistical computations called the moving average and modified difference are conducted, both of which are employed to estimate the points and periods of falls. Then, the local maximum or local minimum and the half width value are determined in the observed modified difference to more precisely estimate the period of a falling state. Finally, the decision-making process is conducted by developing a Hidden Markov Model. The experimental results used the Le2i fall detection dataset, and showed that our proposed system is robust and reliable and has a high detection rate.

Effect of Daily Physical Education on Physical Fitness in Elementary School Children

Background: Increased screen time and change in the built environment have contributed to a decline in physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents over the last several decades, which also contributed to a decline in physical fitness. The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of daily school-based physical activity on the development of physical fitness in elementary school children. Methods: A total of 230 elementary school children (53.9% male) from 10 elementary schools in Tyrol, Austria completed the German motor test at the beginning of grade 1 (October 2017) and at the end of grade 2 (June 2019). Five schools were randomly assigned to an intervention that provided daily physical education (PE) while the control group continued with 3 PE classes per week as specified by the curriculum. Differences in the development of physical fitness between students in the intervention and control schools were examined via ANCOVA, adjusting for baseline fitness. Results: Children in the intervention schools displayed significantly higher improvements in the 6-minute run, 20 m sprint, sit ups and backward balance (p Discussion: The present study indicates beneficial effects of daily PE on physical fitness, particularly regarding endurance, core strength, speed and balance in Tyrolean elementary school children. Accordingly, daily PE appears to be a viable option for the promotion of physical fitness in children.

P7 THE IMPACT OF PREHABILITATION ON PARAMETERS OF BODY COMPOSITION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING MULTIMODAL THERAPY FOR OESOPHAGO-GASTRIC (OG) CANCER

Abstract Aims This study characterises changes in body composition and physical performance during neoadjuvant therapy in the context of prehabilitation before oesophago-gastric resection. Background &amp; Methods Neoadjuvant therapy has deleterious effects on functional capacity and may lead to a decline in physical fitness and skeletal muscle mass. This is a retrospective review of oesophago-gastric cancer patients undergoing prehabilitation. Assessment of body composition (skeletal muscle, visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue) was performed from L3 axial CT images acquired at the time of diagnosis and after neoadjuvant therapy. Results 42 patients (33M, 65.7±11.1) met the inclusion criteria. Patients body weight (81.8±21.3 kg vs. 81.3±21 kg, p=0.668) and BMI (27.9±7.2 kg/m2 vs. 27.8±7.0 kg/m2, p=0.648) did not change significantly between the study time points. There was no significant difference between estimated lean body mass (39.2±13.2 vs. 38.3±10.1; 95%CI -2.5 to 4.3 p=0.592) and fat mass (30.6±15.4 vs. 28.6±14.0; 95%CI -1.7 to 5.7, p=0.284). Skeletal muscle index significantly decreased (46.5±9.9 to 43.1±9.8; 95%CI 2.1 to 4.6, p&lt;0.001). Patients who were adherent to the prehabilitation programme had a significantly higher skeletal muscle index compared to noncompliant patients (47.4±10.4 vs. 40.2±8.9; 95%CI 1.5 to 13.5, p=0.016). Patients who achieved a higher MET-minutes were less likely to be sarcopenic (F(1,40 = 6.1, p = 0.018)).There was no decline in physical performance (Median IQR; VO2max ml kg−1min−1) during neoadjuvant therapy (17.5 [14-19.3] vs. 17.5 [13.3-19.3]; p=0.164). Conclusion this is the first study to report variations in parameters of body composition in patients undergoing a prehabilitation programme. Findings suggest that prehabilitation may be a useful adjunct in limiting the extent of sarcopenia and patient deconditioning during neoadjuvant therapy.

Physical fitness of women over 50 years of age and self-esteem quality of life and health

Summary Study aim: The aim of this study was to examine whether in women over 50 years of age the rate of decline in physical fitness with age affects the self-assessment of health and quality of life. Material and methods: The survey was conducted among 113 women, aged 50–70. The women were divided into two groups: of low and high assessment of their own health and quality of life (WHOQOL-bref). The strength of the dominant hand muscles was tested and the Senior Functional Fitness Test was performed [21]. Linear regression analysis was used in the studies. Results: Women satisfied with their health and quality of life were characterized by alower rate of decline in physical fitness after the age of 50, in particular the strength of the dominant hand muscles, aerobic capacity, upper body flexibility, and speed and coordination, than the dissatisfied or undecided women. Conclusions: Physical fitness of women is important in assessing one’s own health and quality of life.

Comparison of efficacy of continuous and intermittent walking exercise on blood pressure and renal function in elderly hypertensive subjects: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background and objectives: Hypertension (HTN) affects millions of people worldwide. HTN plays a major etiologic role in the development of cerebrovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, cardiac and renal failure. Although the treatment of HTN has been shown to prevent cardiovascular disease and to extend life, HTN remains inadequately managed everywhere. Exercise therapy has been shown to enhance efficacy of medication treatment. Even regular physical activity of lower intensity and duration has been shown to be associated with about a 20% decrease in mortality. Nevertheless, elderly individuals are limited in the duration of exercise due to their decline in physical fitness. Therefore, we aim to evaluate and compare the efficacy of continuous and intermittent exercise on blood pressure, renal function, as well as blood pressure-related variables including cardiac autonomic function, cardiovascular risks, and oxidative stress in elderly individuals with HTN. Subjects and methods: This is a prospective, randomized controlled trial. A total of 50 elderly subjects with HTN will be recruited from Mueang District, Chonburi Province, Thailand. The subjects will be randomized into two groups and undergo walking exercise training. The continuous walking exercise group (n = 25) will perform walking exercise continuously for 30 minutes/day, 3 days/week for 12 weeks. The intermittent walking exercise group (n = 25) will perform walking exercise intermittently for 10 minutes/session, 3 consecutive sessions/day with 1-minute interval between sessions, 3 days/week for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measures will be systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels and renal function (serum creatinine and uric acid concentrations, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and estimate creatinine clearance) before and 12 weeks after intervention. The secondary outcome measures will be cardiac autonomic function, cardiovascular risks (blood glucose, serum lipid profile, atherosclerogenic index), and oxidative stress (plasma malondialdehyde and blood glutathione and glutathione disulfide) before and 12 weeks after intervention. The recruitment of subjects began on May 2, 2018. Outcome measures will be analyzed on October 29, 2018. This trial will be completed on October 27, 2018. Protocol version: 1.0. This trial has been approved by the Human Ethics Committee of the Burapha University on January 15, 2018 (approval No. 218/2560). Discussion: The intermittent walking exercise can be applied as an effectively therapeutic treatment of HTN in elderly individuals. Trial registration: This trial has been registered in the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR) (identification No. TCTR20180226003) on February 23, 2018.

Research on the Artificial Intelligence Attribution Analysis and the Reasons for Decline of Physical Fitness of College Students in the Tropical Area under the Background of "Sunshine Sports"

In 2010, the research team conducted a survey on the physical quality of 1600 college students in Hainan Province, and analyzed the changes in the physical quality of college students in Hainan from 2000 to 2010, and learned about the impact of sunshine sports on the physical quality of college students in Hainan Province. Based on this, a targeted intervention was proposed, which can provide reference for the sports workers and decision-makers in Hainan Province and improve the physical quality of students.

Trends in Physical Fitness Among 12-Year-Old Children in Urban and Rural Areas During the Social Transformation Period in China

AimsTo investigate the 29-year (1985–2014) trends in body dimensions and physical fitness test performances among 12-year-old Chinese children living in urban and rural areas. MethodsThe data were from the findings of seven cross-sectional surveys from the Chinese National Survey on Students’ Constitution and Health. In the seven surveys, there were 34,238; 11,664; 17,485; 18,057; 19,254; 17,962; and 17,906 children, respectively. Anthropometric measurements and physical fitness performances of 12-year-old Chinese children living in rural and urban areas were analyzed. Polynomial models were used to analyze trends in test performances. Analysis of variance was used to assess the urban–rural differentials. ResultsThe height and weight of both urban and rural children substantially increased from 1985 to 2014. Urban children were taller and heavier than rural children. A slight narrowing of the urban–rural differential in height was observed. The disparity in weight increased from 1985 to 2000 and decreased thereafter. Urban children performed better in most of the physical fitness tests examined, such as standing long jump, 50-m run, and sit-ups. The urban–rural disparity decreased from 1985 to 2014 in 50-m run, standing long jump, and sit-up score; the largest difference in 10 × 50 m run and pull-up score was observed in 2000 and 2005, respectively. ConclusionsThere was a general decline in physical fitness in both urban and rural children after 2000. Urgent, targeted actions need to be taken by public health policy officials and parents to maintain or improve the physical fitness of children.

GW29-e1435 Application of Heart Rate Variability in Taekwondo Exercise Intensity Monitoring in Female Undergraduates

According to college student’s physical fitness test data, the students’ aerobic endurance ability declines year by year. While lack of physical activity is the most important reason involved in the decline in physical fitness. Taekwondo is one of the popular exercise style to promote aerobic

Putting function first: redesigning the primary care management of long-term conditions.

Long-term conditions comprise the biggest burden on the NHS, involving more than half of all GP consultations, 65% of out-patient visits, and 70% of inpatient bed days.1 Their prevalence rises with age, affecting 50% of people by the age of 50 years and 80% by the age of 65 years. As older people accumulate more long-term conditions, they become increasingly frail and are at higher risk of falls, disability, admission to hospital, and the need for long-term care. In order to address this burden, a revolution is needed in their primary care management. Physical capability, or ‘physical functioning’, describes an individual’s capacity to undertake physical tasks of everyday living. Care and support are needed when a person is no longer able to manage tasks such as washing, dressing, and feeding. Indeed, failure to get to the toilet on time is a frequent reason for admission to residential care.2 Maintaining physical function is one of the most important factors for quality of life among older adults and a central goal for all people with long-term conditions. Physical inactivity is one of the strongest predictors of physical disability in older people, and physically active people have better levels of physical and psychosocial functioning. Although normal ageing leads to a decline in physical fitness, this decline is much worse if a person has a sedentary occupation or lifestyle. However, the detrimental effects of prolonged sitting on mortality can be ameliorated by 60–75 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per day, …