Physical fitness in childhood and adolescence: a powerful marker of health

Abstract

This review aims to summarize the latest developments with regard to physical fitness and several health outcomes in young people. The literature reviewed suggests that (1) cardiorespiratory fitness levels are associated with total and abdominal adiposity; (2) both cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness are shown to be associated with established and emerging cardiovascular disease risk factors; (3) improvements in muscular fitness and speed/agility, rather than cardiorespiratory fitness, seem to have a positive effect on skeletal health; (4) both cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness enhancements are recommended in pediatric cancer patients/survivors in order to attenuate fatigue and improve their quality of life; and (5) improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness have positive effects on depression, anxiety, mood status and self-esteem, and seem also to be associated with a higher academic performance. In conclusion, health promotion policies and physical activity programs should be designed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, but also two other physical fitness components such us muscular fitness and speed/agility. Schools may play an important role by identifying children with low physical fitness and by promoting positive health behaviors such as encouraging children to be active, with special emphasis on the intensity of the activity.

The Relationship between Socioeconomic Status, Family Income, and Measures of Muscular and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Colombian Schoolchildren

“…Low handgrip strength is associated with a greater metabolic risk score in adolescents, 2,26 and poorer handgrip strength is reported in lower SES groups of Spanish 5,27 and Brazilian 10 descent. In Bogotá, we found that handgrip was greater in youth in the mid-and high-SES groups when estimates were adjusted fully.…”

“…Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed with the 20-m shuttlerun test as described by Ortega et al 2 Participants ran between 2 lines 20 m apart in time with prerecorded signals. The initial speed of 8.5 km•h −1 increased by 0.5 km•h −1 each minute, and the test was terminated when participants failed to reach the end lines (keep pace) on 2 consecutive occasions or when the subject stopped due to volitional fatigue.…”

“…The protocol tends to elicit a maximal response in children and adolescents, irrespective of which criterion results in termination of the test. 2 Performance was reported as running speed (km•h −1 ) at the final completed stage. Valid cases were those with valid data for Jump, Handgrip, and accompanying anthropometric and demographic information.…”

Association of breakfast consumption with objectively measured and self-reported physical activity, sedentary time and physical fitness in European adolescents: the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study

“…Therefore, we were able to examine the association of breakfast consumption with physical activity and sedentary time using two different methods of measuring these variables. A higher physical activity level has been associated with higher physical fitness, which is a health marker in children and adolescents (10,11) . Thus, to study if breakfast consumption is associated with a health marker in young people is of public health interest.…”

Análisis de los niveles de adiposidad y condición física en jóvenes escolares colombianos

“…La condición física incluye múltiples dimensiones y componentes, como la aptitud cardiorrespiratoria y la fuerza muscular, las cuales se consideran indicadores muy claros de la salud de niños y adolescentes (13). Una mala condición física suele tener, entre otras consecuencias, la aparición de sobrepeso en niños y jóvenes como resultado de un aumento en el uso de las tecnologías que potencian el sedentarismo, la falta de ejercicio y la disminución de la calidad del sueño (14,15).…”