ObjectivesThe main purpose of the present meta-analysis was to examine the criterion-related validity of the distance- and time-based walk/run tests for estimating cardiorespiratory fitness among apparently healthy children and adults.Materials and MethodsRelevant studies were searched from seven electronic bibliographic databases up to August 2015 and through other sources. The Hunter-Schmidt’s psychometric meta-analysis approach was conducted to estimate the population criterion-related validity of the following walk/run tests: 5,000 m, 3 miles, 2 miles, 3,000 m, 1.5 miles, 1 mile, 1,000 m, ½ mile, 600 m, 600 yd, ¼ mile, 15 min, 12 min, 9 min, and 6 min.ResultsFrom the 123 included studies, a total of 200 correlation values were analyzed. The overall results showed that the criterion-related validity of the walk/run tests for estimating maximum oxygen uptake ranged from low to moderate (rp = 0.42–0.79), with the 1.5 mile (rp = 0.79, 0.73–0.85) and 12 min walk/run tests (rp = 0.78, 0.72–0.83) having the higher criterion-related validity for distance- and time-based field tests, respectively. The present meta-analysis also showed that sex, age and maximum oxygen uptake level do not seem to affect the criterion-related validity of the walk/run tests.ConclusionsWhen the evaluation of an individual’s maximum oxygen uptake attained during a laboratory test is not feasible, the 1.5 mile and 12 min walk/run tests represent useful alternatives for estimating cardiorespiratory fitness. As in the assessment with any physical fitness field test, evaluators must be aware that the performance score of the walk/run field tests is simply an estimation and not a direct measure of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Mayorga-Vega, D., Viciana, J., Cocca, A., & Merino-Marban, R. (2014). Criterion-related validity of toetouch test for estimating hamstring extensibility: A meta-analysis J. Hum. Sport Exerc., 9(1), pp. 188-200. The main purpose of the present meta-analysis was to examine the scientific literature on the criterionrelated validity of the toe-touch test for estimating hamstring extensibility. For this purpose relevant studies were searched from five electronic databases dated up through September 2012. Primary outcomes of criterion-related validity were Pearson´s zero-order correlation coefficients (r) between the toe-touch test and hamstring extensibility criterion measure. Then, from the included studies, the Hunter-Schmidt´s psychometric meta-analysis approach was conducted to estimate population criterion-related validity of the toe-touch test. Firstly, the corrected correlation mean (rp), unaffected by sampling error and measurement error, was calculated. Subsequently, the three potential moderator variables (sex of participants, age of participants, and level of hamstring extensibility) were examined by a partially hierarchical analysis. Of the six studies included in the present meta-analysis, 12 correlations values were retrieved. The overall results showed that the toe-touch test have a moderate mean criterion-related validity for estimating hamstring extensibility (rp = 0.66, 0.54-0.79). Generally, females, children and individuals with high levels of hamstring extensibility seem to have greater mean values of criterion-related validity for estimating hamstring extensibility. However, due to the low number of r values found, the fact that almost all the 95% CIs of mean correlation coefficients were overlapped, and that criterion-related validity of the toe-touch test within each category was still heterogeneous, we should be cautious with the results of the present meta-analysis. When the use of the angular tests is limited, the toe-touch test seems to be a useful alternative to estimate hamstring extensibility.

The aim of this study was to analyze the current physical activity (PA) levels in youth and young adults from Granada, Spain, and to assess if they accomplish the recommendations for healthy PA. A sample of 1,832 boys and 1,840 girls was administered the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results showed that most of the children (72.2%) and adolescents (56.4%) reached the recommended PA levels, whereas only 40% of young adults achieved recommended levels of PA. The most active were students from Primary schools, whereas university students were the least active. Youth of college and university ages were found to be at higher risk for engagement in PA.

SUMMARYAim: The objective of the study was to report gender and age-specific percentile values for fourteen commonly used field-based physical fitness tests among a national representative sample of Polish children aged 7 to 19 years.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional and population-based study examines the physical fitness among a random and large national representative sample of schoolchildren aged 7 to 19 years in Poland. A sample of 49,281 children and adolescents (25,687 boys and 23,594 girls) was assessed by the EUROFIT fitness test battery, the International Committee on the Standardization of Physical Fitness Tests and Cooper Test of physical fitness. The LMS statistical method was used.Results: Smoothed gender and age-specific percentiles for the physical fitness tests in boys and girls aged 7 to 19 years are reported and expressed as both tabulated and curves values (2.3rd, 9th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 91st, and 97.7th). Figures showed greater physical fitness levels in boys, except for the flamingo balance, sit-and-reach, and stand-and-reach tests, in which girls performed slightly better. There was also a trend towards increased physical fitness levels as the age increased in both boys and girls. Conclusion:The percentile values provided will enable the correct interpretation and monitoring of fitness status of Polish children.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a circuit training program along with a maintenance program on muscular and cardiovascular endurance in children in a physical education setting. Seventy two children 10–12 years old from four different classes were randomly grouped into either an experimental group (n = 35) or a control group (n = 37) (two classes for each group). After an eight-week development program carried out twice a week and a four-week detraining period, the experimental group performed a four-week maintenance program once a week. The program included one circuit of eight stations of 15/45 to 35/25 seconds of work/rest performed twice. Abdominal muscular endurance (sit-ups in 30 seconds test), upper-limbs muscular endurance (bent arm hang test), and cardiovascular endurance (20-m endurance shuttle run test) were measured at the beginning and at the end of the development program, and at the end of the maintenance program. After the development program, muscular and cardiovascular endurance increased significantly in the experimental group (p < 0.05). The gains obtained remained after the maintenance program. The respective values did not change in the control group (p > 0.05). The results showed that the circuit training program was effective to increase and maintain both muscular and cardiovascular endurance among schoolchildren. This could help physical education teachers design programs that permit students to maintain fit muscular and cardiovascular endurance levels.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 1-minute stretching programme and 5 weeks of detraining on sit-and-reach score among schoolchildren aged 5–6 years in a physical education setting. Forty-five schoolchildren 5–6 years old from two classes were clustered randomly assigned to an experimental group ( n = 23) or a control group ( n = 22). During the physical education classes, the students of the experimental group performed a 1-minute stretching programme twice a week for 8 weeks. Subsequently, these participants underwent a 5-week detraining period. The classic sit-and-reach test was performed at the beginning and at the end of the development programme, as well as at the end of the detraining period. The results of the two-way ANOVA showed that the intervention programme increased significantly the students’ sit-and-reach scores (  p < 0.001). However, after 5 weeks of detraining, children’s flexibility reverted back to the baseline levels (  p > 0.05). Although an only 1-minute stretching programme seems to develop the schoolchildren’s flexibility, after the 5-week detraining period students’ score reverts back to its initial level. This knowledge could help physical education teachers to design programmes that permit students to increase and maintain flexibility levels along the entire academic year.

No abstract

Background: Primary and secondary school ages have been considered key moments to address the decrease of moderate-tovigorous physical activity (MVPA). Individual (eg, age, gender, and weight status) and contextual factors (moments of the day) need to be considered for a better explanation of the phenomenon. The quantity and quality of physical activity in Physical Education (PE), school recess (SR), and after school (AS) time need to be taken into account to solve the low levels of MVPA in youth. Methods: A sample of adolescents (N = 231, 14.6 ± 1.2 years old) was studied using accelerometry to determine the objective MVPA level in PE, SR, and AS. Results: Results indicated statistically significant differences on MVPA between contexts (AS > PE > SR, P < .001) as well as regarding the individual factors: age (older > younger in PE and younger > older in SR time; P < .001), gender (boys > girls in all contexts, P < .001), and weight status (overweight > nonoverweight in AS, P < .01). Conclusions: Because students did not meet the daily MVPA recommendations, some strategies have been provided in each of the contexts analyzed.