Functional endurance capacity is associated with multiple other physical fitness components in 7-14-year-olds: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Although evidence suggests that functional endurance capacity is the most important component associated with future health, little is known of how it is associated with multiple other physical fitness components. Since various physical fitness aspects do not change the same as functional endurance capacity during childhood, it is necessary to establish possible associations between functional endurance capacity and other physical fitness components in children. Therefore, the main purpose of the study was to test the associations between functional endurance capacity with other physical fitness components in 7-14-year-old children, stratified by gender. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 1612 children [mean age ± standard deviation (SD) = 9.72 ± 2.37 years; 52.5% girls). Health-related physical fitness components included: 1) body-mass index (kg/m2) calculated from height and weight (measure of body size), 2) sit-and-reach test (measure of flexibility), 3) standing broad jump (measure of explosive strength of lower extremities), 4) sit-ups in 30 s (measure of repetitive strength of the trunk), 5) 10 × 5 shuttle run test (measure of agility) and 6) 20-m shuttle run test (measure of functional endurance capacity). The associations were performed using generalized estimating equations with beta (ß) coefficients. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, functional endurance capacity was associated with sit-and-reach test (ß = 0.13, p < 0.001), standing broad jump (ß = 0.59, p < 0.001), sit-ups in 30 s (ß = 0.53, p < 0.001) and 10 × 5 shuttle run test (ß = - 0.56, p < 0.001) in boys. In girls, functional endurance capacity was associated with body-mass index (ß = - 0.12, p < 0.001), sit-and-reach test (ß = 0.21, p < 0.001), standing broad jump (ß = 0.25, p < 0.001), sit-ups in 30 s (ß = 0.36, p < 0.001) and 10 × 5 shuttle run test (ß = - 0.40, p < 0.001). No significant associations between functional endurance capacity and body-mass index in boys were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Although significant, functional endurance capacity is weakly to moderately associated with other physical fitness components, pointing out that such measure should be tested separately from other aspects of physical fitness in school-aged children.

Normative values of cardiorespiratory fitness in Croatian children and adolescents.

Although defining normative values of cardiorespiratory fitness have been the topic of many Western societies, little evidence has been provided for less developed countries like Croatia. Since cardiorespiratory fitness rapidly declines in Croatian children and adolescents, the newly established normative values would help health-related professionals and physical education teachers to detect 'talented' groups and direct them towards sport and 'risky' groups for planning special interventions. Therefore, the main purpose of the study was to determine normative reference values of cardiorespiratory fitness. A total of 1,612 children and adolescents aged 7-14 years (mean±SD; age 9.7±2.4 years; stature 151.0±17.6 cm; body mass 45.1±19.1 kg; 52.5% girls) participated in this cross-sectional study. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by the Maximal multistage 20-m shuttle run test and the performance was expressed as the number of stages. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was estimated by equations. Smoothed percentile curves were calculated. Boys outperformed girls in the maximal number of levels achieved after the 20-m shuttle run test and in the VO2max values at each age category. In boys, a gradually higher level of performance between ages 11 and 14 was observed, while in girls the values started to rise after the age of 8. Our study provides one of the first sex- and age-specific normative values for cardiorespiratory fitness assessed by the 20-m shuttle run test in Croatian children and adolescents.

Defining Optimal Cut-Points for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Associated With Overweight/Obesity in Children: A School-Based Study.

The main purpose of the study was to define optimal criterion-referenced cut-points for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) associated with overweight/obesity. In this cross-sectional study, participants were 1,612 children aged 7-14 years (mean age ± SD = 9.7 ± 2.4 years; 52.5% girls). CRF was assessed by the Maximal multistage 20-m shuttle run test, from which maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was estimated. Anthropometric indices included body-mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were performed to determine cut-off points. In boys, the optimal cut-off points of CRF in defining overweight/obesity for BMI, WC, and WHtR were 44.6, 46.4, and 46.9 mlO2/kg/min. The areas under the curves (AUC) were 0.83 (95% CI 0.78-0.88, p < 0.001), 0.77 (95% CI 0.71-0.83, p < 0.001), and 0.90 (95% CI 0.86-0.93, p < 0.001). In girls, the optimal cut-off points were 41.0, 40.8, and 40.7 mlO2/kg/min for BMI, WC, and WHtR, with the AUCs of 0.86 (95% CI 0.82-0.90, p < 0.001), 0.83 (95% CI 0.79-0.88), and 0.88 (95% CI 0.84-0.93, p < 0.001). In conclusion, our newly developed cut-off points for CRF assessed by the Maximal multistage 20-m shuttle run test may adequately detect primary school-aged boys and girls with general and abdominal obesity.

Effective teaching in physical education: Slovenian perspective.

Regular quality physical education (PE) contributes to the harmonized biopsychosocial development of a young person--to relaxation, neutralization of negative effects of sedentary hours, and other unhealthy habits/behaviors. The evaluation approach to PE effectiveness provides important information to PE teachers and also to students. However, evaluating effectiveness of teaching, especially the effectiveness of teaching PE, is a difficult task, because PE is a constant process of enriching knowledge and developing skills, as well as having a possible impact on students' health and mental well-being. Many attempts to evaluate PE teachers' effectiveness exist in Slovenia, but currently, none are being implemented in the national PE curricula. As part of recent discussion on PE teaching effectiveness (McKenzie & Lounsbery, 2013; Rink, 2013; Ward, 2013), we share our views from a Slovenian perspective.