Physical Fitness Levels Of Children Research Articles

Body composition, cardiovascular fitness and attention of school-aged male children practicing sports club activities: A cross-sectional.

The positive effects of physical activity on physical fitness, bone health, academic achievement, cognitive functions, mental health, and reduced obesity have been proven. This study aims to investigate the relationship between sports club activities, physical activity selected health-related fitness, and the d2 attention test. A cross-sectional study was conducted in different sports clubs. A total of 78 male students aged 10-13 years participating in various branches of sports clubs were included in the study, 42 of whom were assigned to the sports group and 36 to the control group. Questionnaires were administered to assess sports club participation and attention levels, while physical health profiles were tested with body composition and Yo-Yo IR1C performance measures. Data were analyzed according to sports participation and the five most frequently reported sports. The means and standard deviation of each study value were calculated for the total subjects and by participating in sports activity using the IBM SPSS (version 23) analysis program. Data normality was checked and confirmed by the Skewness and Kurtosis Tests. The results showed that boys enrolled in a sports activity had lower body mass (-17.9%, P < 0.05 d = 0.72), body mass index (-13.4%, P < 0.05, d = 0.87), and body fat (%) (-54.1%, P < 0.05, d = 1.38) and higher VO2max 32.3% (P < 0.05, d = 3.67), than the non-active group. The boys active in sports clubs also had better results in the total number of items processed (11%, P < 0.05 d = 0.50) and in concentration performance (17.7%, P < 0.05 d = 0.56) than the non-active group. In correlation analyses, VO2max was negatively associated with body mass, body mass index, and body fat (P = 0.011; P = 0.001 and P = 0.00, respectively) and positively related to the total number of items processed and concentration performance (P = 0.003 and P = 0.015, respectively). In the Pearson Correlation analyses, body fat showed a lower negative correlation with TN (r = 0.33; P = 0.003) and CP (r = 0.28; P = 0.015). Boys participating in regular sports have lower body mass, BMI, and BF values. In addition, boys who participated in sports showed higher imaginary fitness and selective attention and concentration capacity results, as expected, for any sports part compared to their body peers. Another attempt from this study is that body mass and body fat percentage recovery are negatively associated with fitness. Considering the increasing prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents due to sedentary living, which has become a worldwide epidemic, it is recommended that pedagogical and public health strategies and policies be developed based on the physical fitness level of children.

Association between Physical Fitness and Low Back Pain: The Pepe Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Recent studies have shown that the lifetime prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in schoolchildren aged 10–12 years is 73.6%, and that it appears to have an impact on people’s quality of life. A wide range of risk factors associated with LBP have been studied. However, inconsistent results have been reported. In recent decades, the physical fitness level of children and adolescents has worsened, and the current data on the relationship between muscular fitness and musculoskeletal pain are ambiguous. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the relationship between physical fitness and the occurrence and intensity of LBP. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed 849 students, aged 10–12 years, from 10 primary schools (fifth and sixth grades) from Majorca (Spain). It was based on two different structured and self-administered questionnaires and a fitness test battery validated for child populations. Results: The results showed that higher levels of VO2Max correspond to less LBP intensity. Additionally, LBP was less prevalent among participants who self-reported more physical activity, and higher VO2Max and higher levels of flexibility were associated with the absence of LBP in bed. Conclusion: These results are of particular importance, as cardiorespiratory fitness is the parameter most closely related to health, and it seems to also be related to LBP-prevention.

Association between Physical Fitness Index and Psychological Symptoms in Chinese Children and Adolescents.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between different physical fitness indices (PFIs) and psychological symptoms and each dimension (emotional symptoms, behavioral symptoms, social adaptation difficulties) of Chinese children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 7199 children and adolescents aged 13–18 in Jiangxi Province, China, were tested for grip strength, standing long jump, sit-ups, sit and reach, repeated straddling, 50 m run, 20 m shuttle run test (20 m SRT) items. The physical fitness indicators were standardized, converted to Z score and added up to obtain the PFI, and the self-assessment of the psychological section of the multidimensional sub-health questionnaire of adolescents (MSQA) to test the psychological symptoms, using the chi-square test to determine the psychological symptoms of different types of children and adolescents and binary logistic regression analysis to determine the association between psychological symptoms and different PFI grades. Results: The higher the PFI of Chinese children and adolescents, the lower the detection rate of psychological symptoms, emotional symptoms and social adaptation difficulties, from 25.0% to 18.4%, 31.3% to 25.7% and 20.1% to 14.4%, respectively. These results were statistically significant (χ2 = 14.073, 9.332, 12.183, p < 0.05). Taking the high-grade PFI as a reference, binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Generally, compared with the high-grade PFI, children and adolescents with a low-grade PFI (OR = 1.476, 95% CI: 1.200–1.814) or medium-grade PFI (OR = 1.195, 95% CI: 1.010–1.413) had a higher risk of psychological symptoms (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The lower the PFI of Chinese children and adolescents, the higher the detection rate of psychological symptoms, showing a negative correlation. In the future, measures should be taken to improve the physical fitness level of children and adolescents in order to reduce the incidence of psychological symptoms and promote the healthy development of children and adolescents.

HOW DOES PARTICIPATION IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AFFECT PHYSICAL FITNESS ELEMENTS IN CHILDREN AGED 5-9?

This study was conducted to examine the effect of participation in physical activity on physical fitness parameters in children aged 5-9 years. A total of 83 children, 44 girls, and 39 boys, studying in a private primary school participated in the study voluntarily. The Eurofit Test Battery was used to evaluate the physical fitness levels of children. Within the scope of the Eurofit test battery; the body weight and height values of the children were measured. In the determination of motoric performances, flamingo balance, disc touch, sit-reach, standing long jump, sit-up, bent-arm hanging, and 5x10 meter sit-up tests were used. A personal information form prepared by the researchers was used to determine demographic characteristics. Whether the data is normally distributed or not was checked with kurtosis and skewness values. In the statistical analysis dimension; descriptive analysis (mean, standard deviation, median, min-max value, ratio, frequency), independent samples t test (Independent Samples t test) were used. In terms of children having an athlete license, a significant difference was found in their height, standing long jump test, sit-up test, bent-arm hanging test, 5x10 meter sit-up run test scores (p&gt;0.05). A significant difference was found in the findings of height, body weight, standing long jump test, sit-up test, bent arm hanging test, 5x10 meter sit-up run test in terms of children's participation in traditional children's games (p&gt;0.05). As a result, it has been determined that children's having an athlete's license increases their height, explosive strength, core strength endurance, upper extremity strength endurance, agility, and again, the students' participation in traditional children's games has positive effect on height, body weight, explosive strength, core strength endurance, upper extremity strength endurance and agility.&#x0D; &#x0D; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0891/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Do fit kids have fit parents?

Physical fitness is an important indicator of current and future health status. This analysis examines the relationships among child-parent dyads in physical fitness measures. The analysis is based on biological child-parent dyads from three cycles of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (Cycle 1: 2007 to 2009, Cycle 2: 2009 to 2011, and Cycle 5: 2016 to 2017). Physical fitness components-cardiorespiratory (CRF) (n = 615), muscular strength (n = 1,319) and flexibility (n = 1,295)-were measured at mobile examination centres using standardized fitness tests. Descriptive, correlation and regression analyses were used to examine relationships among child-parent dyads. CRF (R = 0.12), muscular strength (R = 0.23) and flexibility (R = 0.22) measures were weakly correlated among child-parent dyads. Modest increases in the physical fitness levels of children were observed with increases in the fitness rating scores of their parents. According to unadjusted and adjusted regression models, CRF (p< 0.05), muscular strength (p< 0.001) and flexibility (p< 0.001) were positively associated among child-parent dyads. When examined by sex of parent and child, CRF was significantly associated in mother-son dyads only, grip strength was associated in all dyad types except father-son pairings, and flexibility was associated in mother-son and father-son pairings only. A significant and positive association was evident in measured physical fitness among parents and children. Some variation in the presence and strength of associations existed according to child and parent sex.

Effects of a 12-week structured circuit exercise program on physical fitness levels of children with autism spectrum condition and typically developing children

Purpose This study aimed to determine the effects of a circuit exercise program on the physical fitness parameters of children with atypical autism spectrum condition (ASC) and typically developing (TD) children. Method Fourteen (14) boys with atypical autism (mean age: 10.07 ± 0.25 years; weight: 24.97 ± 0.64 kg; height: 126.79 ± 1.33 cm) and 14 typically developing boys (mean age: 10.07 ± 0.30 years; weight: 26.97 ± 0.55 kg; height: 126.50 ± 0.62 cm) participated in the study. The children were divided into four groups using a random coin toss: Autism Exercise Group (AEG), Autism Control Group (ACG), Typically Developing Exercise Group (TDEG), and Typically Developing Control Group (TDCG). Testing parameters from the Bruininks-Oseretsky test of gross motor proficiency (BOT-2) included running speed and agility, balance, bilateral coordination, and the standing long jump. Handgrip strength (both sides), reaction times (visual and auditory), and flexibility tests were also performed. The exercise program consisted of three 60-minute sessions per week for 12 weeks, using the most-to-least prompting method. Findings Significant improvements were observed for AEG in running speed and agility, balance, standing long jump, reaction times, handgrip strength, and flexibility (p < 0.05). For TDEG, only the standing long jump scores failed to significantly improve (p < .05). Comparing AEG and TDEG pre- and post-test results, the former showed 30% greater development with respect to balance, standing long jump, auditory reaction time, and handgrip strength (p < 0.05). Conclusion Based on the significant improvements in physical fitness parameters of AEG, we recommend that children with ASC start sports training immediately when diagnosed with autism and participate in structured physical activities with their peers.

Health-related physical fitness levels of youths with visual impairment in Jordan

As fitness is an important component of quality of life, it is necessary to determine fitness levels among various population groups to be able to plan programs for their future fitness improvement. Previous research shows that individuals with visual impairments have lower levels of health-related physical fitness than people without visual impairment. In Jordan, research mainly focuses on youths without visual impairment, whereas no previous studies have been conducted on children with visual impairment and their physical fitness levels. This study aimed to explore health-related physical fitness levels of children with visual impairment in Jordan. A total of 107 children (65 boys and 42 girls) with visual impairment aged 11–15 years and 114 children without visual impairment were included in this study. All children were asked to perform the following assessment items: a one mile run/walk test to measure cardiovascular endurance, a handgrip strength to measure the maximum isometric strength of the hand and forearm muscles, push-up and curl-up tests to measure upper body and abdominal muscular endurance, respectively, sit-and-reach test to measure flexibility, and two-site skinfold measures to determine body composition. Children with visual impairment appeared to have low health-related physical fitness. For instance, the overall mean of push-ups was 4.06, while cardiovascular endurance was excluded from data analysis as only a few students (7) completed the test. No significant differences were found in any of the tested variables among the various age groups. Furthermore, boys showed statistically significant measurements in strength, curl-up, and push-up tests than girls. Children with visual impairment had significantly better score in only push-up test than children who were blind. In addition, except boys with visual impairment aged 15 years, all children with visual impairment failed FitnessGram, whereas sighted children passed all tests.

UJIAN KECERGASAN FIZIKAL KANAK

Physical fitness is an individual's ability to perform daily tasks efficiently and effectively with out fatigue and the ability to perform activities during emergencies. Individuals who have good physical fitness are individuals who have physical fitness based on health and physical fitness-based skills. Physical fitness is based on five components namely body composition, cardiovascular endurance, muscle endurance, muscle strength, and flexibility. There are more than 15 physical fitness battery tests used worldwide to measure the level of physical fitness of children and adults. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the use of physical fitness test battery and the level of physical fitness of children based on health. Accordingly, the literature analysis shows that the most frequently used battery tests to measure children's fitness are FITNESSGRAM battery tests used in the United States and EUROFITT battery tests used in European countries. Whereas Malaysia uses the SEGAK Test only for children aged 10 to 17. The components and methods of conducting a physical-based physical fitness test will be described in detail. In conclusion, measuring the physical fitness level of children based on health provides important information to students, teachers, and parents about the child's physical fitness level. In this regard, physical-based physical fitness tests should be carried out to suit the age of the child, and indirectly the health of the child can be reflected through physical-based physical fitness tests.

Are There Any Differences between First Grade Boys and Girls in Physical Fitness, Physical Activity, BMI, and Sedentary Behavior? Results of HCSC Study.

The transition from kindergarten to school is associated with a variety of negative changes. After entry to elementary school physical activity level decreases. Moreover, physical fitness level of children over the past decades have rapidly declined. Children are spending an increasing amount of time in the environments that require constant sitting. We evaluated the differences between boys and girls in physical fitness, frequency of undertaking of different forms of physical activity, prevalence of underweight and overweight, and time spent on sedentary behavior. A total of 212 first grade pupils (mean age 6.95 ± 0.43) from two standard urban schools in Poznań participated in the study. Compared to girls, boys obtained better results in 20-meter run (4.9 s and 5.0 s, p < 0.01), sit-ups (16.8 and 15.3, p < 0.05), six-minute run (829.7 m and 766.4 m, p < 0.001), and standing broad jump (106.8 cm and 99.7 cm, p < 0.01). In the sit-and-reach test girls achieved higher results than boys (17.0 cm and 14.4 cm, p < 0.001). There were no gender differences in prevalence of underweight and overweight. In conclusions, difference between genders should be taken into consideration during designing physical activity programs in the aspects of intensity and forms of physical activities.

The impact of sport activities on basic motor skills of children with autism

Background and Study Aim: This study aims to investigate the impact of sports training on basic motor skills of children with autism. Material and Methods: The study included sixteen children with autism who were aged between 12-16 years. The study aims to present the difference between basic motor skills of children with autism before sports training and after taking sports training for 12 weeks. The study was conducted in experimental design and compared values before and after sports training. SPSS 23.0 statistics program was used to perform statistical assessment of the data. The non-parametric Wilcoxon test was used for intragroup changes of fine and gross motor development, balance, life skills and self-care test data in the test battery. Results: At the end of a 12-week study, positive developments were observed in balance, catching, skipping, basic gymnastics, and some psychomotor and life skills, while no significant difference was observed in throwing skills. Based on daily life generalization, it can be said that the learned skills positively contribute to life standards of individuals with autism. Conclusions: The study results show that exercise programs also develop the physical fitness levels of children with autism. At the end of a 12-week sports training, a positive development was seen in basic motor skills and life skills. It is thought that useful results can be obtained with such exercise programs.

Identifying the optimal body shape and composition associated with strength outcomes in children and adolescent according to place of residence: An allometric approach

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the study was to identify the optimal body shape and composition associated with physical fitness levels of children living in urban and rural areas of Italy. A total of 7102 children (11–14 years) were assessed for weight, height, percentage body fat (FM%), sit-and-reach flexibility (SAR), standing broad jump (SBJ) and sit-ups (SUP). A multiplicative allometric model, Y = a · massk1 · heightk2 ·ε, was used to predict the physical outcome variables Y = SBJ and SUP. The model was expanded to incorporate FM% and SAR as follows Y = a · massk1 · heightk2 · FM%k3 · exp(b· FM% + c· SAR) ·ε. Note that FM% was incorporated as a “gamma function” that allows an initial growth, and subsequent decline in Y as FM% increases in size. Although having an ectomorph body shape appears advantageous, being too thin appears detrimental to the strength outcomes. Being flexible would also benefit physical fitness levels. Finally, our results indicate that ursban children aged 11–14 have superior strength outcomes compared with rural children, having controlled for differences in body shape and composition, a finding that may be associated with rural environments having fewer exercise facilities compared with urban conurbations.

The Effects of Movement Training Applied for 16 Weeks to the Physical Fitness Levels of Children with Intellectual Disability

Intellectual disability can be expressed as the defect that occurs in people's mental development and function. Therefore this handicap should be accepted by the society and it should be known that it is a social problem, instead of an individual one. The aim of this research was to determine the effects of movement training applied for 16 weeks to the physical fitness in children with intellectual disability. 30 volunteer, moderate mentally disabled male children have joined to the study. They have been divided into two random groups as group A (15 children) participating in non-play movement training, and group B (15 children) participating in movement training with games. The measurements included the age, height, weight, right and left-hand grip strength, anaerobic power, throwing the stuffed ball, VO2max, 30 m sprint and long jump parameters. Because mentally disabled children's attention spans are short, and learning abilities are low, movement training programs, do not just improve physical fitness of these children, but also improve their ability to learn and to be more aware of their surroundings.

NORMATIVE VALUES FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS UNDERGOING THE BRUCE PROTOCOL IN THE MODERN ERA

The modified Bruce protocol is frequently used for exercise treadmill testing with pediatric normative values established by Cumming in 1978. Demographics and physical fitness levels of children have evolved, and other studies have lacked power to identify differences between these eras. We created

The use of the “eduball” educational ball in rural and urban primary schools and the physical fitness levels of children

PurposeOur study aimed at assessing the effects of introducing a modified physical educational program that uses “eduball” educational balls during exercise, play-time and games on the physical fitness of first-grade primary school students. In addition, the study also took under consideration whether any noted changes depended on where the students lived, i.e., in an urban or rural environment.MethodsA total of 127 first-grade students were selected to participate in the pedagogical experiment, with 48 students from a primary school in an urban environment and 79 students from two primary schools located in rural villages. The physical fitness levels of the children were assessed by using selected batteries from the International Physical Fitness Test before and after implementing the “eduball” physical education program.ResultsThe results found that physical fitness levels were not affected by the use of the “eduball” educational ball, regardless of the environment. However, the physical fitness results of both the boys and girls in the rural experimental group may confirm that the activities that used the educational balls, which emphasize running, can have an impact on the motor development of children’s speed and agility skills.ConclusionsThe boys from the urban experimental and urban control groups in both tests achieved better results than their peers from rural areas. However, this may be more strongly related to the overall higher physical fitness levels of the boys from an urban environment (as was found in the first test), rather than their place of residence or their schools’ sports facilities, which were found to be comparable. In the groups of girls, a somewhat different trend was observed, with girls from the urban environment performing better than girls from rural areas among the analyzed fitness variables in the first test, but with the differences leveling out by the second test.

The effects of inclusion class programmes on physical fitness for children with mental challenges

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of inclusion education programmes with special education programmes on physical fitness levels of children with mental challenges.Methods: Participants were 69 elementary school students with mental challenges. Thirty-four children with a mean age of 12.3 ± 2.4 were included in an inclusion physical education programme with non-disabled peers. In addition, 35 children with a mean age of 12.1 ± 1.8 participated in a special class for children with mental challenges. Balance tests, grip strength and Brockport Physical Fitness Test (BPFT) were used to evaluate the physical fitness levels of children.Results: Results indicated that physical fitness parameters; 20 metre shuttle run, push-up, trunk lift, vertical jump and balance test scores were significantly lower in children in the special class (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in BMI, calf skinfold thickness, grip strength in dominant hand, sit and reach test and modified Apley test (p > 0.05).Conclusion: The physical fitness level was better in children with mental challenges who were participating in an inclusion programme with non-disabled peers. Therefore, it is recommended for children with mental challenges to be part of an inclusion programme with their non-disabled peers.

Health-related Physical Fitness Of Portuguese Twins. A Quantitative Genetic Analysis

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were: (1) to evaluate familial aggregation in heterogeneity levels of physical fitness, and (2) to quantify the magnitude of genetic and environmental effects in different components of the Fitnessgram health-related physical fitness. METHODS: The sample comprises 231 twin pairs from different regions of Portugal of both zygosity (93 Monozygotic, and 138 Dizygotic) and was divided in two groups according to their age: group 1 (G1), from 5 to 11 years; group 2 (G2) from 12 to 19 years. Zygosity was assessed with 16 random DNA microsattelies using PCR amplification techniques. Physical fitness was evaluated with the Fitnessgram test battery, which included curl-ups (CU), push-ups (PU), trunk-lift (TL), one-mile run-walk (1M), and body mass index (BMI). Data analysis was done in SPSS 15, and SYSTAT 11. ANOVA models were used to estimate intraclass correlations (t) to compute heritability estimates (h2). RESULTS: Intra pair differences showed remarkable familial aggregation, because intraclass correlations were systematically greater in MZ twins as compared to DZ twins, showing a smaller intra-pair difference in MZ twins. In all fitness components, all t values in MZ in both groups varied from 0.72 to 0.90, whereas in DZ varied from 0.43 to 0.55. h2 estimates ranged from 0.75 (CU), 0.53 (PU), 0.63 (TL), 0.77 (1M) to 0.84 (BMI) in G1, and from 0.76 (CU), 0.59 (PU), 0.68 (TL), 0.65 (1M) to 0.81 (BMI) G2 showing very similar values in the two age groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the idea of familial aggregation in health-related physical fitness among twin pairs, and the importance of genetic factors in explaining interindividual differences. Genetic factors consistently explain from 50 to 80 % of the total variation. This calls for a more precise understanding of physical fitness levels of children and adolescents, the need to implement differential physical activity and sports programs to youth to meet the variation of their potential for change, as well as a careful interpretation of their response to such programs at the population level.

Bicycle Versus Treadmill Maximal Graded Exercise Testing in Lean Versus Obese Children

The number of obese children has dramatically increased and the physical fitness level of children has decreased during the past decade. Maximal graded exercise tests (GXT) may provide valuable information concerning the baseline aerobic fitness and the effectiveness of intervention strategies to improve aerobic fitness in children. The optimal type of ergometry to use while conducting maximal GXT testing children, specifically in lean versus obese children, has not been fully elucidated. PURPOSE To compare VO2 peak measures from maximal GXT using treadmill and bicycle ergometry, in lean (BMI <85th percentile for age and sex) versus obese (BMI >95th percentile for age and sex) prepubescent (Tanner Maturation Stage ± 2) children ages 7 to 11 yrs. METHODS Maximal GXT were performed to determine VO2 peak measures using treadmill (TM) and bicycle (BK) ergometry, and body composition was determined using total body dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans in lean children (LC; n = 21) and obese children (OC; n = 20). Group mean VO2 peak comparisons were determined using two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. RESULTS Absolute peak VO2 (L) did not significantly differ between the lean and obese children for the TM GXT (1.21 ± 0.11 LC vs 1.49 ± 0.11 OC) or for the BK GXT (1.34 ± 0.08 LC vs 1.46 ± 0.08 OC). The LC had significantly greater (p <0.05) peak VO2 when expressed relative (ml/kg) to body weight for the TM GXT (37.0 ± 2.0 LC vs 23.4 ± 2.1 OC) and BK GXT (39.0 ± 1.7 LC vs 25.4 ± 1.8 OC), and for the BK GXT when expressed relative to fat-free mass (FFM; 50.2 ± 1.8 LC vs 42.6 ± 1.8 OC) but not for the TM GXT (44.2 ± 2.6 LC vs 43.0 ± 2.6 OC). The LC had significantly greater absolute peak VO2 for the Bike vs Tmill GXT (1.34 ± 0.08 BK vs 1.21 ± 0.11 TM) and significantly greater peak VO2 when expressed relative to FFM (50.2 ± 1.8 BK vs 44.2 ± 2.6 TM), but not when peak VO2 was expressed relative to body weight (39.0 ± 1.7 BK vs 37.0 ± 2.04 TM). The obese children had no significant differences between Bike and Tmill GXT measures when the peak VO2 was expressed as an absolute (1.46 ± 0.08 BK vs 1.49 ± 0.11 TM), relative to body weight (25.4 ± 1.8 BK vs 23.4 ± 2.1 TM), or relative to FFM (42.6 ± 1.8 BK vs 43.0 ± 2.6 TM). CONCLUSION Obesity status (lean vs obese) should be considered during the selection of ergometry type used during maximal GXT in prepubescent children. Supported by University of Kentucky Graduate Research Student Support Fund and the University of Kentucky Pediatric Exercise Physiology Laboratory

Determining physical fitness levels of children with neuromuscular dyseases

Determining physical fitness levels of children with neuromuscular dyseases