Associations between physical activity and health-related fitness: Differences across childhood

Authors : Zeinab KHODAVERDI, Jacqueline GOODWAY, David STODDEN

Pages : 169-176

Doi:10.15314/tsed.315806

View : 16 | Download : 5

Publication Date : 2017-08-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The purpose of this study is to evaluate associations between physical activity insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PA); intensities to aspects of health-related physical fitness insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(HRPF); across childhood insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(4-11 years);. A sample of 160 children, including 4-5 years insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=55);, 7-8 years insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=60);, and 10-11 years insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=45); old, participated in this study. Five day PA levels insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(light, moderate, and vigorous); were measured using accelerometry. HRPF was assessed using curl-ups insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(abdominal strength/endurance);, pushups insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(upper body strength/endurance);, PACER insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(cardiorespiratory fitness); and grip strength. Hierarchical and linear multiple regression analysis quantified associations between HRPF components and PA levels across childhood. After controlling for BMI and age, cardiorespiratory fitness accounted for 3% of variation in vigorous in PA in 4-11 year-old children and significantly predicted 23% of variance in vigorous PA in late childhood. No other statistically significant associations between any aspect of fitness and any PA intensities were noted across age groups. These results support other research suggesting cardiorespiratory fitness may be the only aspects of HRPF that is related to various intensities of PA insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(as assessed via accelerometry);, across childhood. An important implication of this study is that physical education should provide an equal emphasis on developing PA habits and HRPF as both are independently associated with health in childhood.
Keywords : Physical Activity Intensities, Health, Accelerometry, Cardiorespiratory Endurance