Correlates of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness among Brazilian adolescents. A rationale and method for high-intensity progressive resistance training with children and adolescents. Childhood cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness and adult measures of glucose homeostasis. Left ventricular structure and function in obese adolescents: relations to cardiovascular fitness, percent body fat, and visceral adiposity, and effects of physical training. Cross sectional analysis of the association between mode of school transportation and physical fitness in children and adolescents Examination of disruptive behavior outcomes and moderation in a randomized psychotherapy trial for mood disorders. Methods of the NSW Schools Fitness and Physical Activity Survey, 1997. Tracking of muscular strength and power from youth to young adulthood: Longitudinal findings from the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health Study. The relationship between health-related fitness and quality of life in postmenopausal women from Southern Taiwan Body Composition Changes After Very-Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet in Obesity Evaluated by 3 Standardized Methods Mediating effects of resistance training skill competency on health-related fitness and physical activity: the ATLAS cluster randomised controlled trial Improvement in balance, strength, and flexibility after 12 weeks of Tai chi exercise in ethnic Chinese adults with cardiovascular disease risk factors. Body mass index, fitness and physical activity from childhood through adolescence Effect of equitation training on health and physical fitness of college females Transcendental meditation, mindfulness, and longevity: an experimental study with the elderly.
OBJECTIVE To analyze socioeconomic indicators , physical activity ( PA ) opportunities , and behavioral correlates of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness among Brazilian boys and girls . METHODS A sample of 1555 adolescents was r and omly selected . Age- and sex-specific st and ard scores were calculated for each fitness component . RESULTS Among boys , head of household 's schooling , involvement in organized PA , meeting the PA recommendations , and computer/games use were associated with cardiorespiratory fitness . Involvement in organized PA and active time in Physical Education ( PE ) classes were predictors of muscular fitness . Among girls , active time in PE classes and TV watching were predictors of cardiorespiratory fitness . Meeting the PA recommendations was associated with muscular fitness . CONCLUSION PA variables and sedentary behaviors should be independently considered for physical fitness promotion in youth BACKGROUND The rising prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents is implicated in the metabolic abnormalities that track into adulthood . The associated increased incidence of insulin resistance , metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes being identified in younger cohorts has given rise to a critical global health issue . Muscular strength is a vital component of metabolic fitness that provides protection from insulin resistance in adults , and we have recently shown this to be true in children as well . Targeting muscular strength deficiencies at an early age may be an effective preventative strategy for metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes . PURPOSE There is limited evidence -based best practice for progressive resistance training ( PRT ) , adiposity and metabolic fitness in children and adolescents . The purpose of this paper is to describe the methodology we utilized for implementing a PRT program to avoid publication bias , enable replication of the study and share a novel program that we have found safe and suitable for use with youth . METHODS We conducted the first r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) prescribing high-intensity PRT to children and adolescents ( 10 - 15 years ) as a community-based primary prevention program to address adiposity and metabolic health . Participants were instructed to complete 2 sets of 8 repetitions of 11 exercises targeting all the major muscle groups twice a week at an RPE of 15 - 18 for 8 weeks . RESULTS Primary outcome was waist circumference ; secondary outcomes included insulin resistance , lipid levels , muscle strength , cardiorespiratory fitness , body composition , self-efficacy , self-concept , habitual physical activity , nutritional and sedentary behavior patterns . CONCLUSION The supervised PRT program that we used with children and adolescents has been described in detail . The efficacy of this modality of exercise for metabolic fitness and other health outcomes is now under investigation OBJECTIVES To assess whether childhood cardiorespiratory fitness ( CRF ) and muscular fitness phenotypes ( strength , power , endurance ) predict adult glucose homeostasis measures . DESIGN Prospect i ve longitudinal study . METHODS Study examining participants who had physical fitness measured in childhood ( aged 7 - 15 years ) and who attended follow-up clinics approximately 20 years later  and provided  a fasting blood sample which was tested for glucose and insulin . Physical fitness measurements included muscular strength ( right and left grip , shoulder flexion , shoulder and leg extension ) , power ( st and ing long jump distance ) and endurance ( number of push-ups in 30s ) , and CRF ( 1.6 km run duration ) . In adulthood , fasting glucose and insulin levels were used to derive glucose homeostasis measures of insulin resistance ( HOMA2-IR ) and beta cell function ( HOMA2-β ) . RESULTS A st and ard deviation increase in childhood CRF or muscular strength ( males ) was associated with fasting glucose ( CRF : β=-0.06mmol/L ) , fasting insulin ( CRF : β=-0.73mU/L ; strength : β=-0.40mU/L ) , HOMA2-IR ( CRF : β=-0.06 ; strength : β=-0.05 ) and HOMA2-β ( CRF : β=-3.06 % ; strength : β=-2.62 % ) in adulthood , independent of the alternative fitness phenotype ( all p<0.01 ) . Adjustment for childhood waist circumference reduced the effect by 17 - 35 % for CRF and 0 - 15 % for muscular strength ( males ) and statistical significance remained for all associations expect between CRF , fasting glucose and HOMA2-β ( p>0.06 ) . CONCLUSIONS CRF and muscular fitness in childhood were inversely associated with measures of fasting insulin , insulin resistance and beta cell function in adulthood . Childhood CRF and muscular fitness could both be potential independent targets for strategies to help reduce the development of adverse glucose homeostasis OBJECTIVE Little is known about the relations of fitness and fatness to left ventricular structure and function in obese adolescents . This project had 2 purpose s : 1 ) to determine the correlations of cardiovascular fitness and adiposity to left ventricular parameters in obese adolescents ; and 2 ) to see the effect of 8 months of physical training ( PT ) at low and high intensities . DESIGN Obese 13- to 16-year-olds ( N = 81 ) were tested at baseline and then r and omly assigned to lifestyle education ( LSE ) alone , LSE plus moderate-intensity PT , or LSE plus high-intensity PT . Follow-up testing was conducted 8 months later . Because no significant differences were found between moderate-intensity and high-intensity PT , the groups were combined to form a LSE + PT group . INTERVENTION Eight months of PT , offered 5 days per week with the target energy expenditure for all PT participants being 250 kcal/session , and LSE every 2 weeks . Outcome Measures . Left ventricular mass divided by height to the 2.7th power ( LVM/Ht(2.7 ) ) , midwall fractional shortening ( MFS ) , and relative wall thickness ( RWT ) were measured using M-mode echocardiography . Cardiovascular fitness was measured by a maximal multistage treadmill test ; percent body fat ( % BF ) with dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry ; and visceral adipose tissue ( VAT ) with magnetic resonance imaging . RESULTS At baseline , high levels of VAT were associated with higher RWT ( r = 0.30 ) and lesser MFS ( r = -0.29 ) . Compared with the LSE-alone group , the LSE + PT group significantly improved in cardiovascular fitness and decreased in % BF and VAT . However , there were no significant differences between groups on changes in LVM/Ht(2.7 ) , MFS , or RWT . Individual changes in cardiovascular fitness , % BF , and VAT did not correlate significantly with interindividual changes in left ventricular structure and function . CONCLUSIONS High levels of VAT were associated with unfavorable left ventricular structure and function . However , no evidence was provided that an 8-month PT program , which improved cardiovascular fitness and reduced general and visceral adiposity , improved left ventricular structure and function . Future studies consisting of longer training programs and /or greater weight reductions are needed to see whether the adverse left ventricular effects of obesity can be ameliorated by exercise training Objective To investigate the associations between body composition , cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness in relation to travel mode to school in children and adolescents . Method Children and adolescents from 40 elementary schools and 23 high schools representing all regions in Norway were invited to participate in the study . Anthropometry , cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness  were tested at the school location . Question naires were used in order to register mode of transport to school , age , gender and levels of leisure time physical activity . Results A total of 1694 ( i.e. 60 % of all invited participants ) children and adolescents at a mean age of 9.6 and 15.6 respectively ( SD = 0.4 for both groups ) were analyzed for associations with physical fitness variables . Males cycling to school had lower sum of skin folds than adolescents walking to school . Higher cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescents and male cyclists compared to walkers and passive commuters were observed . Among children , cycling and walking to school , higher isometric muscle endurance in the back extensors compared to passive commuters was observed . Conclusion Based on this national representative cross-sectional examination of r and omly selected children and adolescents there is evidence that active commuting , especially cycling , is associated with a favourable body composition and better cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness as compared to passive commuting OBJECTIVE Multifamily psychoeducational psychotherapy ( MF-PEP ) is an efficacious treatment for children with mood disorders . Given the comorbidity between disruptive behaviors and mood disorders , this study examined associations between disruptive behaviors and impairment , impact of MF-PEP on disruptive behaviors , and whether disruptive behaviors affected treatment response of mood symptoms . METHOD Secondary analyses examined a r and omized controlled trial of MF-PEP versus waitlist control  ( N = 165 children 8 - 11 years old with mood disorders and their parents ) . Comorbid behavioral diagnoses occurred in 97 % of children . All participants continued treatment as usual . RESULTS Greater degree of disruptive behaviors was associated with worse mood symptoms and impairment . Between-group analyses examining outcome of disruptive behaviors were nonsignificant . Within-group analyses and between-group effect sizes suggested that MF-PEP was associated with decreases in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( d = 0.39 ) , oppositional defiant disorder ( d = 0.30 ) , and overall disruptive behavior symptoms ( d = 0.30 ) , but not conduct disorder symptoms . Baseline severity of disruptive behaviors did not affect treatment response of mood symptoms to MF-PEP . CONCLUSIONS MF-PEP is an effective intervention for children with mood disorders and provides some benefit for disruptive behaviors . Given that disruptive behavior severity does not affect children 's ability to experience improved mood symptoms , MF-PEP may be an important early intervention for children with comorbid mood and disruptive behavior disorders . Subsequent intervention targeting behavioral symptoms after improvement in mood may be beneficial . Studies examining treatment sequencing for children with comorbid mood and disruptive behavior disorders are needed . Clinical trial registration information-Family psychoeducation for children with mood disorders ; http:// clinical trials.gov ; NCT00050557 Physical fitness , participation in physical activity , fundamental motor skills and body composition are important contributors to the health and the development of a healthy lifestyle among children and youth . The New South Wales Schools  Fitness and Physical Activity Survey , 1997 , was conducted to fill some of the gaps in our knowledge of these aspects of the lives of young people in New South Wales . The survey was conducted in February and March , 1997 and collected data on a r and omly-selected sample of students ( n = 5518 ) in Years 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 and 10 . Measures were taken on body composition ( height and weight , waist and hip girths , skinfolds ) , health-related fitness ( aerobic capacity , muscular strength , muscular endurance , flexibility ) , fundamental motor skills ( run , vertical jump , catch , overh and throw , foreh and strike and kick ) , self-reported physical activity , time spent in sedentary recreation , and physical education ( PE ) classes . The methods are described to assist in the development of surveys of other population s and to provoke debate relevant to the development and dissemination of st and ard approaches to monitoring the fitness , physical activity habits and body composition of Australian children and youth . Finally , we offer comments on some of the strengths and limitations of the methods employed OBJECTIVES Low muscular fitness levels have previously been reported as an independent risk factor for chronic disease outcomes . Muscular fitness tracking , the ability to maintain levels measured at one point in time to another point in time , was assessed from youth to adulthood to provide insight into whether early identification of low muscular fitness in youth is possible . DESIGN Prospect i ve longitudinal study . METHODS Study including 623 participants who had muscular fitness measures in 1985 ( aged 9 , 12 or 15 years ) and again 20 years later in young adulthood . Measures of muscular fitness were strength ( right and left grip , leg , shoulder extension and flexion measured by dynamometer , and a combined strength score ) and power ( st and ing long jump distance ) . RESULTS Strength and power were relatively stable between youth and adulthood ; the strongest tracking correlations were observed for the combined strength score ( r=0.47 , p≤0.001 ) , right grip strength ( r=0.43 , p≤0.001 ) and st and ing long jump ( r=0.43 , p≤0.001 ) . Youth in the lowest third of muscular fitness had an increased risk of remaining in the lowest third of muscular fitness in adulthood ( strength : relative risk (RR)=4.70 , 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) ( 3.19 , 6.92 ) ; power : RR=4.06 ( 2.79 , 5.90 ) ) . CONCLUSIONS Youth with low muscular fitness are at increased risk of maintaining a low muscular fitness level into adulthood . These findings warrant investigation into the long term effects of early interventions that focus on improving low muscular fitness levels in youth which could potentially improve adult muscular fitness and reduce future chronic disease outcomes Background Health-related fitness has been reported to be associated with improved quality of life ( QoL ) in the elderly . Health-related fitness is comprised of several dimensions that could be enhanced by specific training regimens . It has remained unclear how various dimensions of health-related fitness interact with QoL in postmenopausal women . Objective The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship between the dimensions of health-related fitness and QoL in elderly women . Methods A cohort of 408 postmenopausal women in a rural area of Taiwan was prospect ively collected . Dimensions of health-related fitness , consisting of muscular strength , balance , cardiorespiratory endurance , flexibility , muscle endurance , and agility , were assessed .  QoL  was determined using the Short Form Health Survey ( SF-36 ) . Differences between age groups ( stratified by decades ) were calculated using a one-way analysis of variance ( ANOVA ) and multiple comparisons using a Scheffé test . A Spearman ’s correlation analysis was performed to examine differences between QoL and each dimension of fitness . Multiple linear regression with forced-entry procedure was performed to evaluate the effects of health-related fitness . A P-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant . Results Age-related decreases in health-related fitness were shown for sit-ups , back strength , grip strength , side steps , trunk extension , and agility ( P<0.05 ) . An age-related decrease in QoL , specifically in physical functioning , role limitation due to physical problems , and physical component score , was also demonstrated ( P<0.05 ) . Multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that back strength significantly contributed to the physical component of QoL ( adjusted beta of 0.268 [ P<0.05 ] ) . Conclusion Back strength was positively correlated with the physical component of QoL among the examined dimensions of health-related fitness . Health-related fitness , as well as the physical component of QoL , declined with increasing age Context : Common concerns when using low-calorie diets as a treatment for obesity are the reduction in fat-free mass , mostly muscular mass , that occurs together with the fat mass ( FM ) loss , and determining the best method ologies to evaluate body composition changes . Objective : This study aim ed to evaluate the very-low-calorie ketogenic ( VLCK ) diet-induced changes in body composition of obese patients and to compare 3 different method ologies used to evaluate those changes . Design : Twenty obese patients followed a VLCK diet for 4 months .  Body composition assessment was performed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry ( DXA ) , multifrequency bioelectrical impedance ( MF-BIA ) , and air displacement plethysmography ( ADP ) techniques . Muscular strength was also assessed . Measurements were performed at 4 points matched with the ketotic phases ( basal , maximum ketosis , ketosis declining , and out of ketosis ) . Results : After 4 months the VLCK diet induced a −20.2 ± 4.5 kg weight loss , at expenses of reductions in fat mass ( FM ) of −16.5 ± 5.1 kg ( DXA ) , −18.2 ± 5.8 kg ( MF-BIA ) , and −17.7 ± 9.9 kg ( ADP ) . A substantial decrease was also observed in the visceral FM . The mild but marked reduction in fat-free mass occurred at maximum ketosis , primarily as a result of changes in total body water , and was recovered thereafter . No changes in muscle strength were observed . A strong correlation was evidence d between the 3 methods of assessing body composition . Conclusion : The VLCK diet-induced  weight loss was mainly at the expense of FM and visceral mass ; muscle mass and strength were preserved . Of the 3 body composition techniques used , the MF-BIA method seems more convenient in the clinical setting Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of resistance training skill competency on percentage of body fat , muscular fitness and physical activity among a sample of adolescent boys participating in a school-based obesity prevention intervention . Participants were 361 adolescent boys taking part in the Active Teen Leaders Avoiding Screen-time ( ATLAS ) cluster r and omised controlled trial : a school-based program targeting the health behaviours of economically disadvantaged adolescent males considered “ at-risk ” of obesity .  Body fat percentage ( bioelectrical impedance ) , muscular fitness ( h and grip dynamometry and push-ups ) , physical activity ( accelerometry ) and resistance training skill competency  were assessed at baseline and post-intervention ( i.e. , 8 months ) . Three separate multi-level mediation models were analysed to investigate the potential mediating effects of resistance training skill competency on each of the study outcomes using a product-of-coefficients test . Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle . The intervention had a significant impact on the resistance training skill competency of the boys , and improvements in skill competency significantly mediated the effect of the intervention on percentage of body fat and the combined muscular fitness score . No significant mediated effects were found for physical activity . Improving resistance training skill competency may be an effective strategy for achieving improvements in body composition and muscular fitness in adolescent boys CONTEXT Declines in physical performance are associated with aging and chronic health conditions . Appropriate physical activity interventions can reverse functional limitations and help maintain independent living . Tai chi is a popular form of exercise in China among older adults . OBJECTIVE To determine whether tai chi improves balance , muscular strength and endurance , and flexibility over time . DESIGN Repeated measures intervention ; data collected at baseline , 6 weeks , and 12 weeks . SETTING Community center in the San Francisco Bay Area . PARTICIPANTS Thirty-nine Chinese adults with at least 1 cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk factor . INTERVENTIONS A 60-minute tai chi exercise class 3 times per week for 12 weeks . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES A battery of physical fitness measures specifically developed for older adults assessed balance , muscular strength and endurance , and flexibility . RESULTS Subjects were 65.7 ( + /- 8.3 ) years old , Cantonese-speaking ( 97 % ) immigrants , with 12 years or less of formal education ( 87 % ) and very low income ( 67 % ) . Reported CVD risk factors were hypertension ( 92 % ) , hypercholesteremia ( 49 % ) , diabetes ( 21 % ) , and 1 current smoker . Subjects were below the 50th percentile of fitness at baseline compared to age- and gender-specific normative US data . Statistically significant improvements were observed in all balance , muscular strength and endurance , and flexibility measures after 6 weeks , and they increased further after 12 weeks . CONCLUSIONS Tai chi is a potent intervention that improved balance , upper- and lower-body muscular strength and endurance , and upper- and lower-body flexibility in these older Chinese adults . These findings provide important information for future community-based tai chi exercise programs and support current public health initiatives to reduce disability from chronic health conditions and enhance physical function in older adults Background Obesity , sedentary lifestyle and poor cardiorespiratory fitness in childhood may increase the risk of health problems later in life . Purpose The authors studied the association of early childhood weight status with cardiorespiratory fitness and leisure-time physical activity ( LTPA ) in adolescence . The stability and associations of LTPA and fitness from childhood through adolescence were also studied . Methods  Body mass index ( BMI ) was assessed annually since birth in a prospect i ve , longitudinal study . The mean BMI between ages 2 and 7 years indicated weight status at preschool age . Fitness was studied with a shuttle run test at age 9 and with a maximal cycle ergometer test at age 17 . The same question naire was used to assess LTPA at age 9 , 13 and 17 . Complete data on preschool BMI , LTPA at ages 13 and 17 and fitness at age 17 years was provided by 351 children , while fitness and LTPA data were available for 74 children at ages 9 and 17 . Results Preschool BMI was inversely associated with fitness in adolescence independently of adolescent LTPA ( p=0.0001 ) . Children who had a high preschool BMI but whose weight status was reduced in adolescence had similar fitness in adolescence as the children with a persistently low BMI . Regardless of the fitness level in childhood , the children whose LTPA increased between age 9 and 17 had a similar adolescent fitness level as persistently active subjects . Conclusions It is important to maintain a healthy body weight and a physically active lifestyle from very childhood through adolescence to improve fitness during adolescence Limited information exists concerning equitation as a viable form of physical activity . The study ’s purpose was to quantify effects of an equitation training program on health and physical fitness of college females . Following written informed consent , 15 college females enrolled in equitation and 10 controls ( age = 23.6 ± 2.5 years ; ht = 165.3 ± 5.3 cm ; wt = 62.4 ± 3.4 kg ) underwent a comprehensive pre- and post-series of tests to assess cardiorespiratory response ( Bruce ; VO2peak , HRpeak , VEpeak , RERpeak , MAPpeak , RPPpeak ) , body composition ( body mass , body fat , fat-free mass ) , muscular power [ Wingate ; peak and mean power ( MP ) , total power output , fatigue index ( FI ) ] , muscular strength ( curl-ups , reverse sit-ups , pushups , h and grip ) , blood chemistry , and coronary risk .  The equitation group trained at various equine gaits for 14 weeks , 5 days/week . Multivariate analyses of variance ( Wilks ’ Lambda ) indicated a significant main effect of training across muscular power ( F4,25 = 3.965 ; P = 0.013 ) , but not across cardiorespiratory response ( F11,18 = 1.472 ; P = 0.225 ) , body composition ( F3,26 = 1.081 ; P = 0.375 ) , or muscular strength ( F4,25 = 2.172 ; P = 0.102 ) . Pre-post improvements in MP ( + 13.3 % ; P = 0.01 ) , total work output ( + 11.8 % ; P = 0.015 ) , and FI ( −10.5 % ; P = 0.038 ) were observed . Nonsignificant improvements of 8.5–11.4 % were observed in muscular strength and body composition . In conclusion , equitation does not provide an adequate stimulus to improve health and fitness in young adults . Individuals who participate in equitation need to supplement this activity with traditional aerobic and load-bearing training regimens Can direct change in state of consciousness through specific mental techniques extend human life and reverse age-related declines ? To address this question , 73 residents of 8 homes for the elderly ( mean age = 81 years ) were r and omly assigned among no treatment and 3 treatments highly similar in external structure and expectations : the Transcendental Meditation ( TM ) program , mindfulness training ( MF ) in active distinction making , or a relaxation ( low mindfulness ) program . A planned comparison indicated that the " restful alert " TM group improved most , followed by MF , in contrast to relaxation and no-treatment groups , on paired associate learning ; 2 measures of cognitive flexibility ; mental health ; systolic blood pressure ; and ratings of behavioral flexibility , aging , and treatment efficacy . The MF group improved most , followed by TM , on perceived control and word fluency . After 3 years , survival rate was 100 % for TM and 87.5 % for MF in contrast to lower rates for other groups
Results There was consistent evidence for a positive association between MF and physical activity .
For both MF components , there was support for objective ly measured physical activity , particularly for activity of vigorous intensity .
Sports participation was also consistently linked with both MF components , whereas the association with active transport was inconsistent .
For both MF components , associations with sedentary behaviors were inconsistent irrespective of measurement method , and the association between MF and sleep was considered uncertain .
Conclusions The available evidence supports a link between MF and physical activity , particularly for vigorous intensity activity and organized sports participation .
Background Muscular fitness ( MF ) is considered a powerful marker of health , but the extent to which common health behaviors are associated with MF during childhood and adolescence is currently unclear .
Objective We conducted a systematic review of studies investigating associations between MF ( i.e. , strength/power , local muscular endurance ) and physical activity , sedentary behaviors , and sleep in children and adolescents .