Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, Health and Young People

Monitoring health, activity and fitness in physical education: its current and future state of health

“…With regards to the former, it should not be assumed that fitness testing will automatically increase physical activity levels or develop understanding of physical fitness and physical activity (Keating, 2003;McKenzie & Kahan, 2004). Concerning the latter, it is known that children"s physical activity levels and aerobic fitness are independent variables that should not be interpreted as directly relational or interdependent and that a child"s activity level cannot be judged from his or her fitness level (Corbin, 2002;Winsley & Armstrong;Welk, Eisenmann & Dollman, 2006). Furthermore, whilst evidence is emerging that both physical activity and fitness are related to health (Lloyd, Colley & Tremblay, 2010), there is currently little or no evidence that young people who improve their fitness test scores also improve their overall health or health-related behaviours (Armstrong & Welsman, 1997;Freedson, Cureton & Heath, 2000).…”

Pleasure and pain: Experiences of fitness testing

“…Further to this Welk et al (2006), Winsley and Armstrong (2005) and Corbin (2002) advise that the physical activity levels of children and aerobic fitness are independent variables that should not be interpreted as directly relational or interdependent. Physical fitness is a set of complex attributes determined by factors such as lifestyle, nutrition, maturation and heredity (Cale and Harris, 2005a;Corbin, 2002;Harris and Cale, 2007).…”

“…Argument has been made that there is little evidence to suggest declining aerobic fitness amongst children today in comparison to previous generations, although low activity levels amongst some children is considered problematic (Winsley and Armstrong, 2005). Further to this Welk et al (2006), Winsley and Armstrong (2005) and Corbin (2002) advise that the physical activity levels of children and aerobic fitness are independent variables that should not be interpreted as directly relational or interdependent. Physical fitness is a set of complex attributes determined by factors such as lifestyle, nutrition, maturation and heredity (Cale and Harris, 2005a;Corbin, 2002;Harris and Cale, 2007).…”