ABSTRACT
Abstract Background: Physical fitness is the ability to perform activities of daily living without excessive fatigue. The potential protective role of fitness against high blood pressure in childhood is relevant to diminish the risk of hypertension in adulthood. A negative association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and hypertension has been found in the pediatric population. However, the role of body mass as a confounding variable of this association has not been evaluated. This study aimed to analyze whether the association between fitness and blood pressure in Mexican schoolchildren is independent of body mass. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 1010 children (574 females and 436 males) aged 9-12 years (mean age = 10.3 ± 0.9 years) from 13 elementary schools in Mexico City. Fitness was evaluated with tests from the FitnessGram® battery. Z-scores of body mass index (BMI)-for-age and height-for-age were estimated. Results: Low fitness showed a high prevalence (from 45.8% for trunk lift to 77.5% for push-ups). Children with poor CRF (assessed by the 20-m progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run test) and upper body strength (assessed by push-ups) showed a higher probability of hypertension (p < 0.05). However, these differences disappeared after adjusting for BMI. Conclusions: After considering the body mass, cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness were not independent predictors of blood pressure.
Resumen Introducción: La condición física es la habilidad de realizar actividades de la vida diaria sin fatiga excesiva. El potencial papel protector de una buena condición física contra la presión arterial elevada es relevante, ya que, si no se atiende, esta elevación en la presión arterial comúnmente conduce a hipertensión en la vida adulta. Se ha documentado una asociación negativa entre la condición cardiorrespiratoria con la hipertensión de la población pediátrica. Sin embargo, no se ha evaluado el papel de la masa corporal como una variable de confusión de esta asociación. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar si la asociación entre la condición física y la presión sanguínea es independiente de la masa corporal en escolares mexicanos. Métodos: Estudio transversal con una muestra de 1010 escolares (574 de sexo femenino y 436 de sexo masculino) de 9 a 12 años (edad promedio = 10.3 ± 0.9 años) de 13 escuelas de primaria de la Ciudad de México. La condición física se evaluó con la batería FitnessGram®. Se estimaron puntuaciones Z del índice de masa corporal (IMC) para la edad. Resultados: La prevalencia de baja condición física fue alta (de 45.8% en la prueba de levantamiento de tronco a 77.5% en la prueba de lagartijas). Los escolares con baja condición cardiorrespiratoria (evaluada con la carrera progresiva de resistencia cardiovascular aeróbica de 20 m) y fuerza superior del cuerpo (evaluada con la prueba de lagartijas) mostraron una mayor probabilidad de presentar hipertensión (p < 0.05). Sin embargo, estas diferencias desaparecieron al ajustar por el IMC. Conclusiones: Después de considerar la masa corporal, la condición cardiorrespiratoria y musculoesquelética no son predictores independientes de la presión sanguínea.
Subject(s)
Child , Female , Humans , Male , Blood Pressure/physiology , Exercise/physiology , Physical Fitness/physiology , Cardiorespiratory Fitness/physiology , Activities of Daily Living , Body Mass Index , Cross-Sectional Studies , Exercise Test , Hypertension/epidemiology , MexicoABSTRACT
Resumen El objetivo del trabajo fue examinar la asociación de la fuerza muscular, potencia aeróbica y composición corporal con el autoconcepto físico en adolescentes de diferente sexo. Un total de 1816 adolescentes españoles (12-16 años) participaron en este estudio transversal. Se administró el Cuestionario de Autoconcepto Físico, las pruebas de fuerza muscular y potencia aeróbica de la batería ALPHA y se calculó el índice de masa corporal a partir de medidas objetivas. Los análisis de regresión logística mostraron que los adolescentes de ambos sexos con baja fuerza muscular, potencia aeróbica y con sobrepeso u obesidad tuvieron significativamente mayores odds ratios de reportar autoconcepto físico bajo. Los resultados de la asociación entre fuerza muscular y autoconcepto físico fueron sensibles al sexo y a la prueba de evaluación. Unos niveles de condición física saludable estuvieron asociados con el autoconcepto físico positivo en adolescentes. La influencia del sexo en esta asociación debe considerarse cuando se busque mejorar el autoconcepto físico.
Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the association of muscular fitness, cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition with physical self-concept in adolescents of different sex. A total of 1816 Spanish adolescents (aged 12-16) participated in this cross-sectional study. Physical Self-concept Questionnaire and ALPHA battery tests were administered to evaluate muscular fitness and cardiorespiratory fitness, and body mass index was calculated from objective measurements. Logistic regression analysis showed that adolescents of both genders with low muscular fitness, cardiorespiratory fitness, and overweight had significantly higher odds ratios of showing a low physical self-concept. The results of the association between muscular fitness and physical self-concept were sensitive to gender and the evaluation test. Healthy fitness levels were associated with a positive physical self-concept in adolescents. Gender differences should be considered when seeking to enhance physical self-concept.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Self Concept , Adolescent , Body Composition , Potency , Muscle StrengthABSTRACT
Objective of the study: The present study was carried out to assess muscular fitness in healthy Indian school children between 9 to 12 years of age (older pediatric age-group) using Kraus-Weber Tests. The aim was to compare the results of this study with similar studies that have been carried out in India, Europe and America previously. Methods: Kraus-Weber Tests don’t require sophisticated equipment and are much easier to administer than traditional tools for analyzing muscular fitness like Electromyogram (EMG). Earlier studies have proven these tests to be excellent screening devices not only for physical but also psychosocial incompetence. They can actually be used as indicators of overall health in this older pediatric age-group. Results: The present study found more number of fitness and flexibility failures as compared to the last such study in India. In stark contradistinction to previous studies, girls have fared poorly than boys on the fitness front.Conclusion: These findings could be attributed to increased stress in school children especially in female students. A sharp dip has been observed in muscular fitness just prior to puberty (most probably due to hormonal causes).
ABSTRACT
The present study was carried out to correlate muscular fitness (as measured by Kraus-Weber Tests) in Indian school children with their intelligence quotient (as measured by Porteus Maze Test). These tools have been tried and tested successfully in previous studies, don't require sophisticated equipment and are easier to administer than traditional tests like EMG (for muscular fitness) and Wechsler Tests (for intelligence quotient). The present study found a significant positive correlation between intelligence quotient and muscular fitness. Failures in Kraus-Weber Tests tend to have a lower Intelligence Quotient and vice versa.