Youth Fitness Research Articles

PREREQUISITES FOR THE FORMATION OF MOTIVATION FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES IN STUDENTS OF NON-PHYSICAL SPECIALTIES

It has been established that the health and physical fitness of non-physical education students are the most important components of the health and physical potential of the entire society. Currently, physical education in educational institutions is practically relegated to the last plan, and it is not surprising that the level of physical fitness of children and youth is assessed as extremely unsatisfactory. The low level of physical fitness of students worsens their adaptation to the regime of future work, especially to the conditions of military service. Many facts cause acute concern for the health of the future generation. Chronic lack of motor activity inhibits their normal physical development and threatens health.

Strength versus aerobic program: effects on body composition and health-related physical fitness levels of youths with Down syndrome

Aims: To determine the effect of a 16-week fitness program (strength vs. aerobic) on different indicators of body composition and components of health-related physical fitness in youths with Down syndrome. Methods and procedures outcomes: Fifty adolescents (19 girls and 31 boys; average age, 18.33 ± 1.42 years) with Down syndrome were recruited and randomized to two groups (strength group vs. aerobic group). Adolescents allocated in the aerobic group carried out a physical activity program three times a week for 16 weeks meanwhile adolescents allocated in the strength group performed a fitness program three times a week for 16 weeks. Results: The exercise group had significant improvements in all health-related physical fitness variables (p < .05) but not on body composition. Conclusions and implications: A sixteen week fitness program consisting of three sessions of 60 min is able to increase levels of health-related physical fitness but not on body composition in youths with Down syndrome. The aerobic program does not seem to show significant differences.

Potential relevance of a motor skill “proficiency barrier” on health-related fitness in youth

ABSTRACT This study investigated the potential impact of a motor skill proficiency barrier on measures of cardiorespiratory (CRF) and musculoskeletal (MSF) fitness in youth. A sample of 241 youth (114 girls) aged 10 - 18 years, completed the Motor Competence Assessment battery with composite scores indexed according to age- and gender-adjusted percentile scores. Motor competence (MC) levels were categorized as low (≤ 25%tile – proficiency barrier), moderate (≥ 26%tile to < 75%tile), and high (≥ 75%tile). CRF levels (Health Risk, Needs Improvement, and Healthy) were assessed using the Fitnessgram® 20 m PACER test. Low (≤ 20%tile), moderate (≥ 21%tile to ≤ 80%tile), and high (≥ 80%tile) MSF levels were assessed using grip strength normative data. Two 3 × 3 chi-square tests were conducted to determine the probability of MC level predicting CRF and MSF levels. Results demonstrated statistically significant models for performance on both the PACER (χ2[4, N = 241] = 22.65, p < .001) and grip strength (χ2[4, N = 241] = 23.95, p < .001). Strong evidence of a proficiency barrier impacting CRF was noted, as no low skilled youth met the “Healthy” fitness zone standards for PACER performance. Evidence supporting a barrier with grip strength was not as strong, as 20.8% of youth exhibiting low MC displayed high grip strength. However, all individuals with high levels of MC demonstrated at least moderate grip strength. Results emphasize the importance of developing MC during childhood as it may provide a protective effect against unhealthy CRF and MSF across youth. Highlights These data support the notion of Seefeldt’s (1980) proficiency barrier as it relates to CRF, as no youth demonstrating low MC met the healthy fitness zone criteria for PACER performance. The development of MC may both directly and indirectly provide a protective effect against unhealthy CRF levels across childhood and adolescence. Evidence supporting a proficiency barrier with MSF as measured by grip strength was not as strong; however, all individuals with high levels of MC demonstrated at least moderate grip strength. Thus, the development of MC may be a protective factor to mitigate low levels of MSF via enhanced neuromuscular function. Promoting the development of MC in a variety of developmentally appropriate activities and settings (e.g. MC skills practice, structured and unstructured play, and performance contexts) is important to promote positive trajectories of CRF and MSF across childhood and adolescence.

Effects of Four Weeks of Plyometric Training Performed in Different Training Surfaces on Physical Performances in School Children: Age and Sex Comparisons.

Short- to middle-term plyometric training has been shown to be an effective method to promote youth fitness and health. However, there is no knowledge of previous studies that investigated the sex and age effects on physical fitness following different PT surfaces (i.e., firm vs. sand) in schoolchildren. This study examined the effects of age and sex on explosive and high-intensity responses following plyometric training (4 weeks, twice/week) performed on firm vs. sand surfaces in untrained schoolchildren. Ninety girls and ninety boys (under 8: age = 7.1 ± 0.5 and 7.1 ± 0.4 years; under 10: age = 9.0 ± 0.4 and 9.0 ± 0.5 years; under 12: age = 11.0 ± 0.5 and 11.0 ± 0.5 years, respectively) participated in a randomized and parallel training design with pre-to-post testing. Participants were allocated (i.e., 30 boys and 30 girls for each group) into either two experimental groups (firm group: performing plyometrics on a clay surface and sand group: performing plyometrics on a dry surface of 20 cm deep sand) or a control group (CG, habitual physical education classes) within their corresponding age groups. Children were tested for sprint, jumping and change of direction speed performances before and after 4 weeks of plyometric training. Both experimental groups induced more significant improvements in all assessed variables than CG (p &lt; 0.0001; effect size &gt; 0.80), whereas both surfaces induced similar improvements (p &gt; 0.05). Older boys achieved better performances than their younger counterparts (p &lt; 0.05) and older girls (p &lt; 0.0001), respectively. This finding showed that age and sex could affect explosive and high-intensity performances during childhood after a short-term plyometric training. In contrast, the training-induced fitness changes were not influenced by the type of surface.

NYC FITNESSGRAM: Population-Level Physical Fitness Surveillance for New York City Youth.

NYC FITNESSGRAM, monitored by the New York City (NYC) Department of Education and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, functions as the NYC Department of Education's citywide youth fitness surveillance program. Here we present the methods, characteristics, and data used in this surveillance system to monitor physical fitness in public school students (grades kindergarten through 12; initiated in 2006; n=6,748,265 observations; mean sample of 519,097 observations per year to date) in New York, New York. Youth physical fitness prevalence estimates, longitudinal trends, and spatial analyses may be investigated using continuous fitness composite percentile scores and Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research-defined sex- and age-specific Healthy Fitness Zones. Healthy Fitness Zones are based on individual-child fitness test performance, with standard errors clustered at the school and student levels and adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics. Results may be used to show trends in youth fitness attainment over time and highlight disparities in the fitness prevalence of NYC students. In sum, continuous fitness composite percentile scores offer the opportunity for prospective tracking of shifts in youth physical fitness on a population scale and across subpopulations. NYC FITNESSGRAM can accompany a growing body of surveillance tools demonstrating the potential for population-level surveillance tools to promote global public health.

A qualitative evaluation of remote training to develop a fitness surveillance system.

In the USA, 18% of school-aged young people are classified as obese, and rural populations appear to be particularly at risk. Achieving high levels of fitness reduces the risk of obesity and underlying health conditions. To better understand youth obesity trends and fitness levels, annual fitness testing ([FT], that is, surveillance) in schools has been recommended. Although many K-12 schools conduct FT, surveillance programmes that compile unified standardised test results are rare. Qualitative design. Physical education teachers from 11 schools (n = 13; n = 4 men) participated in remote training about conducting FitnessGram FT. Data included two semi-structured interviews per teacher on experiences with distance fitness training, implementing FitnessGram, and data entry for annual surveillance. Inductive analysis using axial and open coding identified four themes: (1) barriers prior to study, (2) study training, (3) implementation challenges and suggestions and (4) teacher feedback. Teachers had an interest in FT but lacked the recommended training and equipment needed to implement it annually. Teachers believed the training they received (as part of this study) prepared them to collect reliable and valid data, and that FT had benefits for their students and programmes. Every teacher expressed interest in reporting annual surveillance data. Efforts to train teachers for FT through virtual professional development may be a viable means of establishing a unified surveillance system.

Assessment of Motor Abilities and Physical Fitness in Youth in the Context of Talent Identification-OSF Test.

(1) Background: Physical fitness during childhood is an important indicator of current and future health status. Defining physical fitness levels is a key element of talent identification in the training of children and adolescents. It is also crucial in developing a sports career path. This study sought to validate a physical fitness test (OSF test) and to determine fitness norms for children and adolescents with a special focus on talent identification within its particular sub-tests of endurance, speed, strength and power. (2) Methods: A total of 27,187 athletes who participated in the 'Athletics for all' (AFA) programme were included in the analysis. Physical fitness was assessed using a validated OSF test (3 × 10 shuttle run, standing broad jump, 1 kg medicine ball overhead throw, 4-min run). (3) Results: Four key motor abilities (speed, power, strength and endurance) were assessed in children and adolescents. The OSF test was normalised, i.e., a reference frame in the form of centile charts was developed. (4) Conclusions: The centile charts developed for particular parts of the OSF test make it possible to interpret scores in particular motor sub-tests and, first and foremost, enable users to compare a given score with results obtained by their peers.

Physical activity environment inside and outside school and youth fitness: A spatial analysis at the level of elementary school attendance zone in Georgia

The present study investigates the spatial correlation between built and natural environments that promote physical activity (PA) and children’s fitness. Previous work has been conducted on various geographic scales such as from a county level. However, evaluations from a school attendance zone level, which are the policy and program administration units for schools, have yet to be investigated. Using a factor analysis, 24 PA-related environmental variables were reduced to six environmental factors and then run factors with geographically weighted regression (GWR) at the level of the elementary school attendance zones (ESAZ) in Georgia. The outside-school environmental factors (park, recreation, terrain, nature and camping) and inside school environmental factor (school PA time) were constructed by ESAZ. We found that of all the PA environment factors, the most highly associated with promoting PA and children’s fitness were inside-school PA environment. The outside factors of the park and terrain environment indicated strong local geographic variation in youth health. The result showed local variation in the association between PA environment and fitness among elementary school children in Georgia and highlighted the geographically customized efforts for different regions’ policy changes to improve child health.

FEATURES OF THE ORGANIZATION OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION OF STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN TODAY'S REALITIES

The article reveals the peculiarities of the organization of physical education of students in institutions of higher education. Disadvantages of distance learning during physical exercises were revealed. The modern approach, solutions and methods of physical education of students in the conditions of war and coronavirus disease are indicated. An analysis of the level of physical fitness and motor activity of student youth in distance learning conditions was carried out. The state of health of modern youth was analyzed and the level of students' motivation for physical education classes was investigated. Different approaches to solving this problem were also determined during the analysis of literary sources: rethinking the content of physical culture and health education; improvement of physical culture and health work in institutions of higher education and pedagogical training of specialists; increasing the level of somatic health as a result of the introduction of control of the functional state of the body in the process of physical education and health activities. The uncertainty of the very system of organization of physical education of students causes some concern. The approaches practiced in this system, in particular, conducting joint classes with healthy children under the leadership of one teacher, engaging students in general lessons or in general, exempting students from physical exercises in physical education classes are unfounded and ineffective. Since such children can and should engage in motor activities and perform optimal physical activity for them, because scientific research proves the positive impact of active activities on children's health. In addition, joint classes under the guidance of one teacher will not bring the desired result, because he will be forced to distribute his attention to a large number of children.

Functional training of best fit students as a tool for improving students' physical fitness

To increase the level of the educational process in physical education, specialists use modern methodologies and tools that are used in the field of physical culture, sports and fitness industry. One of the methods that can be used in physical education classes is functional training using the best fit method. This method is very popular today and widely developed in the fitness industry, which has a positive effect on the emotional state and sustained interest of those who follow the best fit method, and also increases physical performance. Functional training of best fit students as a tool for improving students' physical fitness. The article highlights the issue of physical fitness of student youth in higher education institutions. The peculiarities of the influence of best fit on the level of physical fitness of students studying at the Uzhhorod National University were studied. The goal is to assess the impact of best fit on the level of physical fitness of students of the Uzhhorod National University who are engaged in sports improvement groups. Material. 60 18-19-year-old students of the 2nd year of study took part in the pedagogical experiment. Students were divided into EG-30 people and KG-30 people. the research took place during the 2020-2021 academic year. The results. According to the results of the study, at the end of the pedagogical experiment, the students demonstrated the following results of the level of physical fitness, where 49% showed an average level of training and it was the highest, 24% showed an above average level and 20% showed lower indicators below the average and only 7% of female students showed a high level. Conclusions. Based on the results of student testing, it can be concluded that almost half of the total number of students (49%) correspond to the average level of physical fitness, which corresponds to the rating of satisfactory, 24% of students showed above average level (the rating is good). 7% of the studied have a high level of preparedness (excellent grade) and 20% of female students have a below-average level (unsatisfactory grade). According to the results of the pedagogical experiment, it can be stated that the best fit classes are more effective for increasing the level of physical fitness of students who are engaged in sports improvement groups based on the "Fanat" sports complex.

Adaptation of youth of student age to fitness

Adaptation to fitness; is a complex multi-stage process that requires a complex of measures and the creation of optimal conditions to attract young people to regular fitness classes and make them a necessity for many years. As a result of the measurements, the level of adaptation is determined: complete "fitness adaptation" if the personality portrait fully fits into the structure of the young person's individuality; partial "adaptation to fitness", if the portrait of a young person partially fits into the personality structure; maladjustment, if the portrait of a young person does not fit into the structure of the personality of the individual, and as a result, the young person does not want to engage in fitness and continue the club card. The results of "fitness adaptation" depend on personal variables, life events and social support, as well as on the degree of inclusion in contacts and intergroup attitudes. In the "fitness adaptation of student youth" model developed by us, the staff of the fitness club actively contributes to the successful adaptation of youth to fitness. The author considers the following to be the main indicators of adaptation to fitness: assessment of well-being; physical fitness; activity in achieving goals; compatibility of the individual with the environment; optimism.The article tells the research results of youth fitness adaptation. Author created the “Fitness adaptation” model; scheme is shown in the article. The aim of work is theoretical and experimental development and test the “Fitness adaptation” model. The results prove that young people who have some knowledge in Physical Culture sphere go in for sport regularly and more adapted in life. The experiment took place at fitness club “Fanat” in Uzhhorod in December, 2021. It was held with surveys, students (16-23 years old) physical readiness results analysis. The results were as follows: full “fitness adaptation” 68%, part “fitness adaptation” 22% and 10% disadaptation.

The Feasibility and Acceptability of an Online CPD Programme to Enhance PE Teachers' Knowledge of Muscular Fitness Activity.

Schools provide an opportunity to enhance muscular fitness of English youth during physical education (PE). Continued professional development (CPD) among teachers may improve muscular fitness activity delivery in schools. This study sought to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an online CPD programme to enhance PE teachers’ knowledge of muscular fitness activity. Methods: Co-production of an online CPD platform was undertaken with five secondary school PE teachers. A quasi-experimental pre-post control group design for the CPD was adopted (CPD group n = 76, control n = 32). Upon CPD completion feedback was solicited for qualitative analysis. Results: Pre-and-post CPD knowledge quiz data were available from 65 participants (55.4% male). The median knowledge quiz change score was significantly higher in the CPD group than in the wait list control group (CPD score vs. control score; U =37, z = −5.96, p < 0.01). Three primary themes reflecting factors associated with the acceptability and feasibility were (1) practical application, (2) support and resources, and (3) knowledge and confidence. Conclusions: Co-production of an online CPD programme can improve knowledge and affect practice. PE teachers that completed the CPD reported the online platform was beneficial to overcoming the limitations of face-to-face CPD such as time and financial constraints and suggested the content covered was beneficial and appropriate to their teaching. Future work is required to establish links between teachers’ learning following CPD, the translation into PE practice and student MF outcomes.

Physical Activity among U.S. Preschool-Aged Children: Application of Machine Learning Physical Activity Classification to the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey National Youth Fitness Survey.

Early childhood is an important development period for establishing healthy physical activity (PA) habits. The objective of this study was to evaluate PA levels in a representative sample of U.S. preschool-aged children. The study sample included 301 participants (149 girls, 3–5 years of age) in the 2012 U.S. National Health and Examination Survey National Youth Fitness Survey. Participants were asked to wear an ActiGraph accelerometer on their wrist for 7 days. A machine learning random forest classification algorithm was applied to accelerometer data to estimate daily time spent in moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA; the sum of minutes spent in running, walking, and other moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA) and total PA (the sum of MVPA and light-intensity PA). We estimated that U.S. preschool-aged children engaged in 28 min/day of MVPA and 361 min/day of total PA, on average. MVPA and total PA levels were not significantly different between males and females. This study revealed that U.S. preschool-aged children engage in lower levels of MVPA and higher levels of total PA than the minimum recommended by the World Health Organization.

Change in physical fitness due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in French adolescents: a comparison between two independent large samples from Diagnoform battery.

Numerous studies reported a significant decline in physical activity level in adolescents as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown. Physical fitness is recognized as a powerful marker of health in youth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on health-related physical fitness in French adolescents. Two cross-sectional studies were performed comparing two different groups of French adolescents, before (sample 1) and after the first lockdown (sample 2). A total of 1231 adolescents (aged to 16.5 ± 1.5 years) participated in the two cross-sectional studies. Complete data for physical fitness and anthropometrics data were obtained. Adolescents from sample 2 showed lower physical fitness levels compared to adolescents from sample 1. Regarding physical fitness for boys and girls, physical fitness levels were significantly lower in both sex between adolescents from the sample 1 and adolescents from the sample 2, except for cardiorespiratory fitness and flexibility for boys and girls, respectively. The physical fitness global score was also significantly lower between adolescents from the sample 1 and 2 for boys (−9.8%, p < 0.01) and girls (−16.2%; p < 0.01), respectively. Overall, the higher difference was found for performance in the speed body displacement test (−30%). A difference of 12.8% and 25% was observed for boys and girls, respectively. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic lockdown had a negative impact on physical fitness in French youth. This study highlights the need to develop, in a near future, prevention programmes in order to improve the physical fitness in youth.What is Known:• COVID-19 pandemic deeply impacted lifestyle habits. A worrying decrease of physical activity, associated to a dramatic increase of time spent in sedentary behaviors was found in many coutries.What is New:• Our study bring first data on the health-related physical fitness consequences due to lockdown in French adolescents. Our study demonstrate the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on health-related physical fitness in French adolescents.

Explosive Legs Power between Tharu and Non-Tharu Madheshi Girls in the Madhesh Pradesh of Nepal: A Comparative Analysis

The paper deals with the objective, which was to compare and analyze the explosive legs power among the girl students of Tharu ethnic and non-Tharu Madheshi girl students in the Madhesh province of Nepal. Also, hypothesized that there is significant difference in explosive legs power between them. It was based on quantitative with comparative design. Altogether 62 girl students have designated as respondents, 31 girl respondents taken from Tharu ethnic and 31 from non-Tharu Madheshi girls. Respondents were taken through multistage sampling method. The standing broad jump test item of AAHPER youth fitness test applied as tool for this study. The standing broad jump test applied to measure the explosive legs power. While comparing the mean score of non-Tharu Madheshi girls, Tharu ethnic girls were found better in explosive legs power. Likewise, p-value of t-test has applied at 0.01 significant level. It has found significant difference between them in explosive legs power of standing broad jump test. Hence, this research paper is found the significant difference between Tharu ethnic and non-Tharu girl students. Therefore, hypothesis (H1) is accepted. In compared on standing broad jump test the non-Tharu girls, Tharu ethnic girls have more participated in intramural-extramural sports tournaments, sporting events as well as physical work.

Employing Immersive Technologies To Develop Fitness-Related Outcomes In Children And Youth: A Scoping Review

Technologies that immerse users in virtual and augmented realities are becoming more common in physical activity and sport settings. Immersive technologies may be an effective tool for developing fitness-related outcomes in children and youth. Purpose: To compile peer-reviewed empirical articles and report on the effectiveness of immersive technologies in developing fitness-related outcomes in children and youth. Methods: Education resources information centre (ERIC), SPORTDiscus, and Child Development & Adolescent Studies databases were searched using keywords for immersive technologies (i.e., augmented reality, virtual reality) and the outcomes of interest (i.e., skill- and health-related components of fitness, physical activity, exercise). Pertinent information from the relevant articles (e.g., study design, findings) was charted and emerging themes were summarized. Results: The database search yielded 19 relevant articles. 15 reported positive effects of immersive technologies on fitness-related outcomes and four articles reported no effect. Charting of these articles revealed considerable variability in the technologies considered to be immersive. Many of the articles used low- or non-immersive technologies such as Xbox Kinect and Nintendo Wii as interventions. Charting also revealed frequent use of immersive technologies in developing skill-related components of fitness in children and youth with motor and cognitive impairments. Articles that studied non-impaired children and youth most often evaluated the effectiveness of immersive technologies in improving daily physical activity behaviours. Charting further revealed a paucity of, and considerable need for research on whether immersive technologies are effective in developing skill-related components of fitness in non-impaired children. Conclusions: Immersive technologies can be effective in developing fitness-related outcomes in children and youth; however, more research is required to evaluate the effectiveness of high and full immersion technologies in developing skill-related components of fitness in non-impaired children and youth.

Validation Of Using Phase Angle To Detect Variations In Health And Fitness In Youth.

Validation Of Using Phase Angle To Detect Variations In Health And Fitness In Youth.

Site And Unit: Two Flaws Of Physical Activity Assessment In NHANES National Youth Fitness Survey

PURPOSE: To explore possible flaws in physical activity (PA) assessment in the 2012 NHANES National Youth Fitness Survey (NNYFS 2012) that led to a very high PA passing rate. METHOD: The weighted physical activity data (N = 11,223,647, 51% boys, for 3-5 yr. old) collected using ActiGraph in NNYFS 2012 were analyzed to determine the prevalence of meeting the recommendation of the PA guidelines. Specifically, after the released data in Monitor-Independent Movement Summary (MIMS) unit were converted to the MIMS-EQ-Count, an equivalent of ActiGraph count, based on the results of a test equating study by Qin et al. (2021), the prevalence was computed using the cutoff scores by Johansson et al. (2016) for 3-5 yr. old. RESULTS: Unexpected, very high pass rates (%) were observed based on the daily 120 min (SHAPE America, 2020) moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA) and 180 min PA, including 60 min MVPA (WHO, 2019) cutoffs (Boys, Girls, Total):The higher passing rates observed were likely caused by the wrist site, where ActiGraph was worn, employed in NNYFS 2012 and the noise movements by hands (e.g., playing the computer games) that were mistakenly classified as MVPA. Using MIMS, rather than ActiGraph counts, as the unit of the data was another problem since MIMS’ PA intensity cutoff scores have not been established and validated. Together, due to failing to create trustful MVPA data, these two flaws made PA data from NNYFS 2012 less meaningful and useful. CONCLUSION: The very high prevalence of US children meeting PA recommendations was likely caused by two major flaws when collecting PA by wearing ActiGraph on wrist and releasing the data in MIMS unit.

O3-7 Prenatal predictors and physical fitness in Spanish Youth: the UP&amp;DOWN study

BackgroundPhysical fitness outcomes are considered major health biomarkers to assess and monitor exercise-based interventions across the lifespan. Recent studies provide evidence that many adult and childhood chronic diseases should have their origins in gestational or fetal life. To date, a few pioneering studies have showed associations between prenatal predictors and selected physical fitness tests (strength and cardiorespiratory). Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge about the influence of prenatal factors on childhood performance on a comprehensive fitness test battery including speed and coordination. The innovative purpose of the current study is to analyse the relative weight of prenatal predictors on schoolchildren's physical fitness outcomes.MethodsWe obtain data from1188 children (571 girls) aged 6-11 years and 1020 adolescents (495 girls) aged 12-17 years. Prenatal predictors (gestational anemia, gestational diabetes and length of gestation) were self-reported from offspring's mothers. The ALPHA fitness test battery for youth was used to assess offsprinǵs physical fitness (muscular strength, motor fitness and cardiorespiratory fitness). Regression analysis were performed to predict the different physical fitness outcomes.ResultsThe main findings of the present study indicate that the presence of gestational anemia significantly predicted lower scores of lower-body explosive muscular strength (standing long jump) and motor fitness (4x10-m shuttle run) and predicted moderately lower scores of upper-body isometric muscular strength (handgrip strength test). (p>.005; p>.008; p>.075 respectively). Moreover, gestational anemia better predicted lower scores of muscular strength and motor fitness in children than in adolescents (standing long jump, handgrip strength test, 4x10-m shuttle run) (p>.001; p>.051; p > 0.18, respectively). While gestational age and length of gestation (>34- ?42 weeks) predict better cardiorespiratory fitness (20 m shuttle-run test) (p>.023; p>.023 respectively) and motor fitness (4x10 m shuttle; moderately for length of gestation). (p>.020; p > 0.55 respectively).ConclusionThis evidence suggests that preventive strategies by health-care institutions, policy makers and technicians must be two-fold: a) to effectively reduce gestational anemia in order to prevent offsprinǵs predisposition to low levels of physical fitness, and b) to intervene with toddlers and children at risk to provide tailored physical activity programs and regular physical fitness evaluation.

Is there a relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and executive performance as function of mental workload in young adults?

In the current study, we have decided to investigate the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and executive functions in young adults as a function of mental workload. To achieve our objectives, we have solicited 29 young adults (18–25 years; 12 women) who have first realized the Random Number Generation (RNG) task with two levels of complexity. After each level of complexity, the participants were asked to report on their perceived difficulty. Secondly, participants performed the RABIT® test, during which oxygen consumption was measured through the Metamax 3B-R2. The results showed that executive performance and perceived difficulty deteriorate with increasing task complexity. Additionally, oxygen consumption increased significantly to reach a peak during the hardest phase of the RABIT® test. Finally, as in previous studies, we could not observe a correlation between cardiorespiratory fitness and executive functions. Our findings support the lack of a direct relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and executive functions. Future studies should explore the relationship between the composite measure of executive function, hemodynamic activity, and cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy youth and their peers with cardiovascular disease. This will examine an indirect effect of Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on Executive functions (EFs) through brain activity.