Change in physical fitness due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in French adolescents: a comparison between two independent large samples from Diagnoform battery.

Numerous studies reported a significant decline in physical activity level in adolescents as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown. Physical fitness is recognized as a powerful marker of health in youth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on health-related physical fitness in French adolescents. Two cross-sectional studies were performed comparing two different groups of French adolescents, before (sample 1) and after the first lockdown (sample 2). A total of 1231 adolescents (aged to 16.5 ± 1.5 years) participated in the two cross-sectional studies. Complete data for physical fitness and anthropometrics data were obtained. Adolescents from sample 2 showed lower physical fitness levels compared to adolescents from sample 1. Regarding physical fitness for boys and girls, physical fitness levels were significantly lower in both sex between adolescents from the sample 1 and adolescents from the sample 2, except for cardiorespiratory fitness and flexibility for boys and girls, respectively. The physical fitness global score was also significantly lower between adolescents from the sample 1 and 2 for boys (-9.8%, p < 0.01) and girls (-16.2%; p < 0.01), respectively. Overall, the higher difference was found for performance in the speed body displacement test (-30%). A difference of 12.8% and 25% was observed for boys and girls, respectively.   Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic lockdown had a negative impact on physical fitness in French youth. This study highlights the need to develop, in a near future, prevention programmes in order to improve the physical fitness in youth. What is Known: • COVID-19 pandemic deeply impacted lifestyle habits. A worrying decrease of physical activity, associated to a dramatic increase of time spent in sedentary behaviors was found in many coutries. What is New: • Our study bring first data on the health-related physical fitness consequences due to lockdown in French adolescents. Our study demonstrate the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on health-related physical fitness in French adolescents.

Trends in the prevalence of overweight, obesity and underweight in French children, aged 4-12 years, from 2013 to 2017.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in French children from 2013 to 2017. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study performed in fourteen regions of France. Physical measures included weight, height and BMI. Underweight, overweight and obesity were defined according to age- and sex-specific BMI cut-off points from the International Obesity Task Force. SETTING: France. SUBJECTS: Children (10 159 boys, 9757 girls) from the voluntary, non-representative Diagnoform programme between 2013 and 2017, at the age of 4-12 years. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in girls compared with boys (P < 0·001). Underweight was also more prevalent in girls (P < 0·05). Although there were no significant changes in the prevalence of obesity in boys or girls from 2013 to 2017, a significant decrease in overweight among boys and girls was found (P < 0·001) during the same time period. In contrast, the prevalence of underweight increased in girls and boys (from 10·0 to 20·0 %, P < 0·0001) between 2013 and 2017. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the current study show that the prevalence of obesity was stable, while the prevalence of overweight decreased significantly, despite high in French children. Findings suggest also that thinness is becoming an important phenomenon in children. Developing preventive and nutritional programmes in order to modify the lifestyle might help control underweight and obesity in children.

Normative health-related fitness values for French children: The Diagnoform Programme.

The primary objective of this study was to establish sex- and age-specific physical fitness percentiles for French children. The secondary aim was to assess sex, weight status, and age differences for physical fitness levels in French children. A sample of 31 484 children (16 023 boys, 15 461 girls) aged 6-11 years participated in the Diagnoform programme. Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular endurance, speed, flexibility, and agility were assessed in this national programme. Percentile values were estimated as a function of age stratified by sex using a parametric method providing smooth centile curves and explicit formulae for the centile estimates. Values from the 10th to the 90th percentile are reported. The influence of body weight according to sex on the physical fitness level was also examined using an analysis of covariance adjusted for age. Physical fitness levels were slightly better in boys, except for agility and flexibility, in which girls performed better (Cohen's coefficient, 0.20-0.45; P < .001). All physical fitness tests were significantly associated with age (P < .0001). In general, overweight and obese children had a significantly poorer physical fitness level compared with their normal-weight counterparts (P < .05). No difference was found between thin and normal-weight boys and girls, except for agility (P < .05). Reference values provide normative data for French children, and these data should be useful for identifying special needs for appropriate intervention programmes.

The International Fitness Scale (IFIS): A valid tool to assess physical fitness in French children.

BACKGROUND: The need for monitoring regularly physical fitness in youth is well established for public health issues. The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the International Fitness Scale questionnaire (IFIS) to assess physical fitness in French children in the school context. METHODS: A sample of 2 060 children (1054 boys), aged 10.6 ± 0.9 years, participated in the validation study while an independent sample of 366 children (175 boys), aged 9 to 11 years, participated in the assessment of reliability. Physical fitness was measured by a self-report of 5 questions with a 5-point Likert-scale (from very poor to very good) (IFIS), and also measured objectively by 4 field tests: cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, speed/agility and flexibility. For the test-retest reliability assessment, children were instructed to complete the questionnaire twice, 1 week apart. RESULTS: For all physical fitness components studied, children reporting a good or a very good physical fitness in the IFIS had better results in objective measurements of physical fitness tests compared to children reporting a very poor to an average physical fitness (p<0.001) without or with adjustments for sex, age and weight status. The reliability coefficients were acceptable for all components of physical fitness (0.59-0.72). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that IFIS appears to be a useful instrument for teachers to estimate physical fitness levels of French children, possibly on a large scale.

Differential decline of physical fitness with age according to Body Mass Index levels.

BACKGROUND: The main objective of this study was to assess the association between age and physical fitness and motor fitness components according to BMI levels, in men and women separately, and to test if this association is different between BMI levels. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on a pre-existing database from the DiagnoHealth battery, a French series of physical fitness and motor fitness tests designed by the Institut des Rencontres de la Forme (IRFO; Wattignies, France). Analyses were perfomed on 6830 women (65.8%) and 3356 men (34.2%) aged from 50 to 80 years. In this French series several physical fitness and motor fitness components were measured: cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), speed, upper muscular endurance, lower muscular endurance, lower body muscular strengh, agility, balance, and flexibility. From the results of these tests, a specific score named Quotient of Physical Condition was calculated. Associations between age and physical fitness and motor fitness components according to BMI levels were modelized using linear regression for quantitative components, and ordinal logistic regression for ordinal components. Analyses were performed separately for women and men. RESULTS: A significant association of age with physical fitness and motor fitness performance in each BMI levels were observed in women except for lower muscular endurance, muscular strength and flexibility in obese women. A significant association of age with physical fitness and motor fitness performance in each BMI levels were observed in men except for upper/lower muscular endurance and flexibility in obese men. CONCLUSIONS: The present results shown that most of physical fitness and motor fitness decrease with age in women and men. Lower muscular endurance, muscular strength and flexibility did not change in obese women, thereas upper/lower muscular endurance and flexibility did not change in obese men. This finding is particularly revelant for guiding prevention strategies for maintaining physical fitness and motor fitness performance, which is one of the most important component of healthy aging and wellbeing.

Relationships Between Sports Club Participation and Health Determinants in Adolescents and Young Adults.

Physical fitness is a powerful marker of health in adolescents and young adults. The purpose of this study was to measure the relationships between age, sex, body mass index, and sports club participation on physical fitness. The population included 49,988 participants (23,721 girls and 26,267 boys) who were divided into five age groups (11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18, and 19-21 years). Body mass index was calculated. Physical fitness was assessed with the Diagnoform® Tonic battery. Sports club participation was also documented. The practiced sport was collected. The effects of age, sex, body mass index class, and sports club participation were tested. Boys' PF increased with age at a faster rate and was better than that of girls, except for flexibility (p < 0.001). For girls, a decrease was observed in endurance, speed and flexibility at 17-18 years. Sports club participation was greater for boys at every age. Obese participants had the lowest physical fitness and sports club participation. Sports club participation increased physical fitness. Team sports seemed best for improving physical fitness, except flexibility. The study shows that sports club participation may be a key element for building health in adolescents. Preventive healthcare projects that promote sports club are needed to target sports club dropouts (obese adolescents and girls). Bridges should be built between physical education classes and sports clubs in adolescence to improve the health status of young people.

Relationships between sports club participation and physical fitness and Body Mass Index in childhood.

BACKGROUND: Physical fitness (PF) is a powerful determinant of health. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between sports club (SC) participation and PF, and Body Mass Index (BMI) in children. METHODS: The population included 15,625 children (8029 boys and 7596 girls) 5 to 10 years old divided into three aged groups. PF was assessed with the Diagnoform® Kid (IRFO, Loos, France) from 5 tests measuring different components: cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, speed, coordination, agility, and flexibility. BMI was calculated. SC participation was documented. The sports were classified into four categories based on the educational goal (C1, C2, C3, C4). The relationships between sex, age, BMI class and SC participation were tested. RESULTS: The children who practiced in SC had better PF than those who did not. C1 (track and field, swimming, triathlon, and cycling) and C4 (team, combat, and racket sports) sports seemed to be associated with a better PF. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that SC participation may be an element for building health. Preventive healthcare projects for SC dropouts (obese children and girls) are needed.

French youth trends in prevalence of overweight, obesity and underweight from 2008 to 2018.

OBJECTIVE: Because the prevalence overweight and obesity remains high during adolescence in Europe, tracking weight status in children and adolescents is needed. We aimed to estimate French trends in the prevalence of weight status in children and adolescent from 2008 to 2018. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity were higher in boys (P < 0.0001). Underweight was more prevalent in girls (P < 0.0001). In adolescents aged 16-17 years old, a stabilization was observed for overweight and obesity whereas the prevalence of underweight increased significantly in boys (P < 0.0001). For children and adolescents aged to 10-12 and 13-15 years old, the obesity and overweight decreased significantly while the underweight was increased for both sexes aged 10-12 years (P < 0.0001). Underweight increased in boys aged 13-15 years (P < 0.0001) while that a stagnation was observed in girls. These encouraging results show the permanent need to develop preventive strategies promoting an healthy active living in order to modify the lifestyle for adolescents with underweight, overweight or obesity.

Is physical fitness associated with the type of attended school? A cross-sectional analysis among adolescents.

BACKGROUND: While academic achievement has been associated with physical activity, the present work questions the potential association between the physical fitness level of adolescents and the type of school they attend, ranging from academic to technical schools. METHODS: The Diagnoform© Test was performed by 20,228 young French students from 76 schools (9196 females), mean age 15.8±1.8 years. This dataset includes two higher education institutions (N.=870), 37 general high schools (N.=13,125), 18 professional-oriented high schools (N.=3569), 5 agricultural high schools (N.=132), 2 vocational training centers (N.=202) and 12 rural vocational training centers (N.=1137). RESULTS: In higher education institutions and general high schools, girls showed better performances for all physical tests. A decreasing Quotient of overall Physical fitness Condition (QPC) was observed for both genders from urban higher education schools to rural and technical institutions (P<0.001). The proportion of total variance accounting for within institution variation is strong (intra-class correlation coefficients [ICC] 0.20 [0.15; 0.27] for QPC). CONCLUSIONS: The lower physical fitness level observed here among students from technical or training schools places them at higher risks for the development of future chronic diseases. These results suggest that specific interventions are needed depending on the educational setting.

Sport-Related Affective Benefits for Teenagers Are Getting Greater as They Approach Adulthood: A Large-Scale French Investigation.

The present investigation examined how sports club membership is related to adolescents' daily negative and positive affects as they age. Robust prior results demonstrated that sports club membership is positively related to positive affect and negatively related to negative affect. However, surprisingly, no prior studies examined whether these benefits are consistently present throughout the teenage years or there are certain critical periods when teenagers can affectively profit more from being members of a sports club. The present cross-sectional investigation examined these questions on a comprehensive sample of French adolescents (N=17,337, female=7,604, aged between 10 and 18, M age=12.45years, SD age=1.94years). Besides the expected affective benefits of a sports club membership, there was no interaction between age and negative affect. However, late adolescents reported greater daily positive affective benefits of sports club membership than early adolescents. These results suggest that late adolescents can use the extra affective benefits of sports club membership to gain advantages for the first steps of their adult life, such as coping with career start or transition to higher education. These results can provide guidelines for future studies to prioritize late adolescents with heightened positive sport-related affective benefits. It can also be useful information to promote sport among late adolescents.

Is Football or Badminton Associated With More Positive Affect? The Links Between Affects and Sports Club Membership Among French Adolescents.

Prior studies extensively examined the way sports club membership can lead to beneficial affective outcomes. Prior experiments also found that team sports, intensive sports, and sports that are frequently pursued can lead to even more affective benefits. However, no prior studies examined the differences between the affective benefits of specific sports. Based on prior results, we supposed that certain sports that meet all the previously set criteria-will provide the greatest affective benefits. The present large-scale investigation examined the data of adolescents (N = 12,849, female = 5,812, aged between 10 and 18, M age = 12.56 years, and SD age = 2.00) and aimed to fill this gap. Firstly, the results showed that-although differences in affect can be found between the lack of club membership and most of the sports club memberships-the differences between the specific sports are less striking. Secondly, the sports that are associated with the highest level of positive and the lowest level of negative affectivity are not necessarily the ones expected. Finally, adolescents who practice athletics, reported the lowest means of negative, and the highest means of positive affect. However, it did not differ significantly from the results regarding the most practiced sport in France: soccer. Our results suggest that soccer as the most practice sport among French adolescents was associated with more positive affects than the majority of the 10 most licensed members French sports practiced by teens between 2008 and 2019. All in all, being a member of a sports club is associated with affective benefits, and some specific sports clubs can have some extra benefits.

Monitoring fitness levels and detecting implications for health in a French population: an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the physical fitness of a large sample of the French population across different ages. DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional study. SETTING: Data were collected from the Athletic Track and Field Federation, which organised events dedicated to measuring physical fitness. The events took place in 22 regions between 2006 and 2010. PARTICIPANTS: French volunteer citizens (N=31 349) aged between 4 and 80 years old who participated in events dedicated to measuring physical fitness. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed the results of the following fitness tests: 20 m shuttle run, standing broad jump, repeated squat jump, 4×10 m shuttle run, speed, flexibility and push-ups in relation to age and body mass index (BMI) using Spearman's rho, a one-way analysis of variance. A bi-exponential model was used to represent the performance with age. RESULTS: Our major results showed higher performances for men and for subjects with normal BMI at all age groups except for the flexibility test. BMI was strongly correlated across all ages with physical fitness p<0.0001. Furthermore, through bi-exponential model, a mean peak performance was identified at 26.32 years of age for men and 22.18 years of age for women. CONCLUSIONS: Physical fitness assessment using a simple series of tests on the general population offers an important indicator of health status. The possibility of observing the evolution of fitness levels with time provides an important monitoring method from a public health perspective. Further research is needed to reinforce and evaluate the approach.