ABSTRACT
AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine whether high levels of strenuous physical activity outside of organised sports are associated with better functional test performance. METHODS: Youth athletes (n = 445, mean = 14.2 ± 2.5 years) reported their frequency of strenuous physical activity outside of organised sports. The functional performance tests: vertical jump height, pro agility test time, estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), front plank time and postural stability were measured and compared between groups. RESULTS: Athletes in the five or more times a week group demonstrated faster pro agility times (5.37 ± 0.43 seconds) than the never group (5.59 ± 0.56 seconds; p = 0.002) and the 1-4 times a week group (5.52 ± 0.47 seconds; p = 0.005). The five or more times a week group demonstrated higher mean vertical jump height (42.9 ± 13.3 vs. 40.3 ± 10.8 cm; p = 0.009) and higher estimated VO2 max (48.1 vs. 45.6 mL/kg/minute; p = 0.001) than the 1-4 times a week group. CONCLUSION: Youth athletes who engaged in strenuous physical activity outside of organised sports five or more times a week performed best on functional performance tests.
