Physical fitness reference standards in Macedonian children and adolescents: the MAKFIT study.

BACKGROUND: physical fitness is a powerfull indicator of the health coindition in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. This research is performed in order to determine the age and gender stratified reference values for healthy physical fitness for Macodonian children and adolescents and to identify signicicant gender differences. METHODS: a descriptive cross-sectional and population-based study examined the physical fitness among a random and large national representative sample of schoolchildren aged six to 14 years in Macedonia. A sample of 9,241 children and adolescents (4,716 boys and 4,525 girls) was assessed by the EUROFIT fitness test battery. The LMS statistical method was used. RESULTS: smoothed gender and age-specific percentiles for the physical fitness tests in boys and girls aged six to 14 years are reported and expressed as both tabulated and curves values (P5, P10, P25, P50, P75, P90, P95). Figures showed greater physical fitness levels in boys, except for the sit-and-reach test, 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 Macedonion children.

Anthropometry and body composition of adolescents in Macedonia / Antropometría y composición corporal de adolescentes en Macedonia

The aim of this research was to determine the level of adiposity and obesity among Macedonian adolescents and to compare the results with previous studies conducted in this population, as well as those conducted in other populations. The sample included 2390 adolescents from four urban different regions of R. Macedonia aged between 11 to 18 years; 1238 males and 1152 females. Weight, height, waist, and hip circumference (WC, HC) as well as triceps, calf, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfold thickness (SFT) were measured. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), subscapular/triceps skinfold ratio (STR), and percentage body fat were computed. The prevalence of overweight and obesity defined by the IOTF children growth reference were calculated and age-dependent and gender-specific smoothed percentile curves for BMI and ROC curves were generated. The boys have statistically significantly higher values of WC, WHR and WHtR in all adult categories (except WHtR at 18 years old), greater body weight at the age of 12 to 18, and body weight 13 to 18 years (p<0.001). Weight, height and BMI are increasing with age in both, boys and girls, and decreases in girls. The level of adiposity of Macedonian adolescents has increased over the past 20 years and has reached the level of developed countries that face an obesity epidemic.

El objetivo de esta investigación consistió en determinar el nivel de adiposidad y obesidad entre los adolescentes macedonios y comparar los resultados con estudios previos realizados en esta población, así como aquellos realizados en otras poblaciones. La muestra incluyó a 2390 adolescentes de cuatro regiones urbanas diferentes de R. Macedonia con edades comprendidas entre 11 y 18 años (1238 hombres y 1152 mujeres). Se midieron el peso, la altura, la cintura y la circunferencia de la cadera (WC, HC), así como el grosor del pliegue cutáneo tríceps, pantorrilla, subescapular y suprailíaco (SFT). Se calcularon el índice de masa corporal (IMC), la relación cintura-cadera (WHR), la relación cintura-altura (WHtR), la relación de pliegue subcutáneo / tríceps (STR) y el porcentaje de grasa corporal. Se calcularon las prevalencias de sobrepeso y obesidad definidas por la referencia de crecimiento de niños IOTF y se generaron curvas percentiles suavizadas dependientes de la edad y de sexo para las curvas BMI y ROC. Los niños tuvieron valores estadísticamente significativamente más altos de WC, WHR y WHtR en todas las categorías de adultos (excepto WHtR a los 18 años), mayor peso corporal a la edad de 12 a 18 años y peso corporal de 13 a 18 años (p <0,001). El peso, la estatura y el IMC aumentan con la edad tanto en niños como en niñas y disminuyen en las niñas. El nivel de adiposidad de los adolescentes macedonios ha aumentado en los últimos 20 años y ha alcanzado el nivel de los países desarrollados que enfrentan una epidemia de obesidad.

Physical fitness reference standards in Macedonian children and adolescents: the MAKFIT study / Estándares de referencia de aptitud física en niños y adolescentes de Macedonia: el estudio MAKFIT

Background: physical fitness is a powerfull indicator of the health coindition in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. This research is performed in order to determine the age and gender stratified reference values for healthy physical fitness for Macodonian children and adolescents and to identify signicicant gender differences. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional and population-based study examined the physical fitness among a random and large national representative sample of schoolchildren aged six to 14 years in Macedonia. A sample of 9,241 children and adolescents (4,716 boys and 4,525 girls) was assessed by the EUROFIT fitness test battery. The LMS statistical method was used. Results: smoothed gender and age-specific percentiles for the physical fitness tests in boys and girls aged six to 14 years are reported and expressed as both tabulated and curves values (P5, P10, P25, P50, P75, P90, P95). Figures showed greater physical fitness levels in boys, except for the sit-and-reach test, 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 Macedonion children

Antecedentes: la aptitud física es un poderoso indicador del estado de salud en la infancia, la adolescencia y la edad adulta. La investigación se realizó con el fin de determinar los valores de referencia de una aptitud física saludable estratificados por edad y género para niños y adolescentes de Macedonia, así como para identificar diferencias significativas entre géneros. Métodos: mediante un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal y basado en la población se examinó la condición física de una muestra representativa nacional aleatoria y amplia de escolares de seis a 14 años de Macedonia. Se evaluó una muestra de 9.241 niños y adolescentes (4.716 niños y 4.525 niñas) mediante la batería de pruebas de aptitud física de EUROFIT. Se utilizó el método estadístico LMS. Resultados: se informaron los percentiles suavizados de género y edad para las pruebas de aptitud física en niños y niñas de seis a 14 años y se expresaron como valores tabulados y de curvas (P5, P10, P25, P50, P75, P90, P95). Las cifras mostraron mayores niveles de aptitud física en los niños, a excepción de la prueba sit and reach, en la cual las niñas obtuvieron resultados ligeramente mejores. También se observó una tendencia al aumento de los niveles de aptitud física a medida que aumentaba la edad tanto en niños como en niñas. Conclusión: los valores percentiles proporcionados permitirán la correcta interpretación y monitoreo del estado físico de los niños macedonios

Health-related physical fitness of normal, stunted and overweight children aged 6-14 years in Macedonia.

OBJECTIVE: the objective of this study is to compare the growth and health-related physical fitness of normal, overweight/obese and stunted Macedonian children aged 6-14 years. METHODS: this cross-sectional study included 9,241 children of Macedonian nationality, from 19 primary schools from the central and east part of the Republic, out of which eight are in a rural setting and eleven are in urban environment. In order to carry out the objectives of the research, four anthropometric measurements, two derived anthropometric measurements, two measurements for assessing body composition and seven fitness tests were applied. Normal-not stunted, not owt/ob; stunted-not owt/ob; and owt/ob-not stunted were compared with multivariate analysis of covariance controlling for socioeconomic status, residence status (urban or rural), sex, age and age squared. RESULTS: statistically significant differences were found in all anthropometric measurements, and measurements for assessing body composition among the groups of subjects classified as normal, stunted and overweight/obese (p < 0.000). Children who belong to the normal weight group achieve better results in all fitness tests (p < 0.001), except for the handgrip and bent arm hang tests. Overweight/obese children achieve better results in the handgrip fitness test compared to normal and stunted children. Stunted children achieve better results in the bent arm hang fitness test compared to normal and overweight/obese children. Intergroup differences were found in the sit and reach fitness test. CONCLUSION: when compared to normal weight children, both under- and over-nourished children performed poorer on some, but not all, health-related fitness tests.

Health-related physical fitness of normal, stunted and overweight children aged 6-14 years in macedonia / Condición física relacionada con la salud de niños normales, con retraso en el crecimiento y con sobrepeso de 6 a 14 años en Macedonia

Objective: the objective of this study is to compare the growth and health-related physical fitness of normal, overweight/obese and stunted Macedonian children aged 6-14 years. Methods: this cross-sectional study included 9,241 children of Macedonian nationality, from 19 primary schools from the central and east part of the Republic, out of which eight are in a rural setting and eleven are in urban environment. In order to carry out the objectives of the research, four anthropometric measurements, two derived anthropometric measurements, two measurements for assessing body composition and seven fitness tests were applied. Normal-not stunted, not owt/ob; stunted-not owt/ob; and owt/ob-not stunted were compared with multivariate analysis of covariance controlling for socioeconomic status, residence status (urban or rural), sex, age and age squared. Results: statistically significant differences were found in all anthropometric measurements, and measurements for assessing body composition among the groups of subjects classified as normal, stunted and overweight/obese (p ˂ 0.000). Children who belong to the normal weight group achieve better results in all fitness tests (p < 0.001), except for the handgrip and bent arm hang tests. Overweight/obese children achieve better results in the handgrip fitness test compared to normal and stunted children. Stunted children achieve better results in the bent arm hang fitness test compared to normal and overweight/obese children. Intergroup differences were found in the sit and reach fitness test. Conclusion: when compared to normal weight children, both under- and over-nourished children performed poorer on some, but not all, health-related fitness tests

Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio es comparar el crecimiento y la aptitud física relacionada con la salud de los niños macedonios normales, con sobrepeso/obesos y atrofiados de 6-14 años. Métodos: este estudio transversal incluyó a 9.241 niños de nacionalidad macedonia, de 19 escuelas primarias de la zona central y de la parte este de la República, de las cuales ocho están en zonas rurales y once, en entornos urbanos. Para llevar a cabo los objetivos de la investigación, se aplicaron cuatro medidas antropométricas, dos medidas antropométricas derivadas, dos mediciones para evaluar la composición corporal y siete pruebas de aptitud física. Normal-no atrofiado, no owt/ob; retraso en el crecimiento-no owt/ob; y owt/ob-no retraso en el crecimiento se compararon con el análisis multivariado de la covarianza que controlaba el estado socioeconómico, el estado de residencia (urbano o rural), el sexo, la edad y la edad al cuadrado. Resultados: se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en todas las medidas y mediciones antropométricas para evaluar la composición corporal entre los grupos de sujetos clasificados como normales, atrofiados y con sobrepeso/obesos (p ˂ 0,000). Los niños que pertenecen al grupo de peso normal obtienen mejores resultados en todas las pruebas de condición física (p < 0,001), a excepción de las pruebas de agarre y flexión del brazo doblado. Los niños con sobrepeso u obesidad obtienen mejores resultados en la prueba de aptitud de la empuñadura en comparación con los niños normales y con retraso en el crecimiento. Los niños con retraso en el crecimiento logran mejores resultados en la prueba de aptitud del brazo doblado en comparación con los niños normales y con sobrepeso/obesos. Las diferencias intergrupales se encontraron en la prueba de aptitud de sentarse y alcanzar. Conclusión: en comparación con los niños con peso normal, tanto los niños malnutridos como los desnutridos tuvieron peores resultados en algunas pruebas de condición física relacionadas con la salud, pero no en todas

The association between high blood pressure, physical fitness and fatness in adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is a health problem that is of national importance. It is a major risk factor for the occurrence of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and renal diseases that are leading or among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity as in ours, as in the most developed and less developed countries. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the relation of cardiorespiratory fitness and obesity, blood pressure and hypertension for adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research was realized on a sample of 4,051 boys and girls at the age of 11 to 14 years. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by using a three minute step test, while the percentage of body fat was determined by bioelectrical impedance method. Blood pressure was measured three times at intervals of 60 seconds, and the result was the median value of the three measurements. The measurements were performed in a separate room with optimum ambient conditions. The relation between hypertension, cardiorespiratory fitness and fat was determined by correlation and multi-nominal logistic regressive analysis. RESULTS: Boys had higher systolic pressure and lower diastolic pressure compared to girls. The low level of cardiorespiratory fitness and high percentage of body fat were independently associated with an increased risk of blood pressure and hypertension for both boys and girls. The interaction was established between the percentage of body fat and fitness. CONCLUSION: The results should be taken into account for building strategies and recommendations for improvement of lifestyle and health for adolescents.

The association between high blood pressure, physical fitness and fatness in adolescents / Asociación entre presión arterial alta, aptitud física y obesidad en los adolescentes

Introduction: Hypertension is a health problem that is of national importance. It is a major risk factor for the occurrence of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and renal diseases that are leading or among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity as in ours, as in the most developed and less developed countries. Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze the relation of cardiorespiratory fitness and obesity, blood pressure and hypertension for adolescents. Material and methods: The research was realized on a sample of 4,051 boys and girls at the age of 11 to 14 years. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by using a three minute step test, while the percentage of body fat was determined by bioelectrical impedance method. Blood pressure was measured three times at intervals of 60 seconds, and the result was the median value of the three measurements. The measurements were performed in a separate room with optimum ambient conditions. The relation between hypertension, cardiorespiratory fitness and fat was determined by correlation and multi-nominal logistic regressive analysis. Results: Boys had higher systolic pressure and lower diastolic pressure compared to girls. The low level of cardiorespiratory fitness and high percentage of body fat were independently associated with an increased risk of blood pressure and hypertension for both boys and girls. The interaction was established between the percentage of body fat and fitness. Conclusion: The results should be taken into account for building strategies and recommendations for improvement of lifestyle and health for adolescents (AU)

Introducción: la hipertensión es un problema de la salud y es de importancia nacional. Es un factor de riesgo importante para la aparición de la aterosclerosis y enfermedades cardiovasculares, cerebrovasculares y enfermedades renales que están liderando o están entre las principales causas de mortalidad y la morbilidad como en la nuestra, también en los países más desarrollados y menos desarrollados. Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio es analizar la relación de la aptitud cardiorrespiratoria y la obesidad, la presión arterial y la hipertensión en los adolescentes. Material y métodos: la investigación se realizó sobre una muestra de 4.501 niños y niñas de 11 a 14 años. La capacidad cardiorrespiratoria se evalúo con el uso de una prueba de paso que dura tres minutos, mientras que el porcentaje de grasa corporal se determinó con un método de impedancia bioeléctrica. La presión arterial se midió tres veces a intervalos de 60 segundos. El resultado fue el valor medio de las tres mediciones. Las mediciones se realizaron en una habitación separada con condiciones ambientales óptimas. La relación entre la hipertensión, la aptitud cardiorrespiratoria y la grasa se determina con un análisis de correlación y multinominal regresión logística. Resultados: los niños tenían una mayor presión sistólica y diastólica que las niñas. El nivel bajo de aptitud cardiorrespiratoria y el porcentaje alto de grasa corporal se asociaron independientemente con un mayor riesgo de hipertensión arterial e hipertensión para niños y niñas. La interacción se establece entre el porcentaje de grasa corporal y la forma física. Conclusión: los resultados obtenidos se deben tener en cuenta para la construcción de estrategias y recomendaciones para la mejora del estilo de vida y la salud de los adolescentes (AU)

Factors Associated with Physical Activity among Macedonian Adolescents in Albanian Ethnic Community.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of demographic, psychological, social and environmental factors with physical activity and to determine whether indicators of physical activity differ by gender among Macedonian adolescents from Albanian ethnic community from 11 to 14 yr (N = 886). METHODS: Research were conducted in 2014 in several primary schools randomly selected from Tetovo and Gostivar region of the R. Macedonia. Students completed a questionnaire which examined their level of participation in physical activity and sedentary behavior along with a number of potential correlates. Hierarchical regression was used to explore the relationship between hypothesised factors and physical activity. RESULTS: The boys unlike the girls showed significantly higher levels of physical activity (P=0.001). Respondents of both genders who perceive greater benefits from the physical activity (P=0.010). They have more confidence in their abilities (P=0.001), enjoy more in the physical activities (P=0.016), perceive greater social support from friends (P=0.008) and parents (P=0.001) and have higher levels of physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate the importance of developing a national plan and program to promote physical activity in order to help young people to change unhealthy lifestyle habits and increase the physical activity, thus improving their health.

Anthropometrical characteristics and somatotype of young Macedonian soccer players / Características antropométricas y somatotipo de jugadores jóvenes de fútbol macedonios

The success in sport performance is closely related to the physical condition of the sportsman. In the assessment of the physical status except physiological and fitness parameters, significant influence have the anthropometric parameters. The aim of the study was dual: to assess the changes in the anthropometric characteristics and the somatotype of young soccer players at different ages and to compare these characteristics with the general population. The analyzed measurements of 486 young soccer players who play in teams of the First national league, with an average age 15.8±1.4. The soccer players were divided into five subgroups, at age difference of 1 year. In the sample height, weight, BMI index, diameters, volumes and skin folds were measured, also the body composition and the somatotype were calculated. Boys from 14 years were lower and had less tendencies of other age groups. From 16 years onwards there were no differences in the measurements which means that the respondents gradually get the look of adult players. All skin folds for young Macedonian players (except the skin folds of the scapula) decrease with age and compared to the peers from normal population are lower. For young players in all age groups dominate the mesomorphic component, and lower values have the endomorphic component, in regards to peers in the general population. The obtained results can serve as normative anthropometric indicators for regular sports medical examinations of young players in our country, or can be used as a template for comparison of the anthropometric and somatotype information of young players at a similar level of different countries.

El éxito en el rendimiento deportivo está estrechamente relacionado con el estado físico del deportista. En la evaluación de la condición física, excepto los parámetros fisiológicos y de acondicionamiento físico, los parámetros antropométricos tienen una influencia significativa. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar los cambios en las características antropométricas y de somatotipo de jugadores jóvenes de fútbol de diferentes edades y comparar estas características con la población general. Las mediciones analizadas fueron de 486 futbolistas jóvenes que juegan en equipos de la Primera Liga Nacional, con una edad media de 15,8±1,4. Los futbolistas fueron divididos en cinco subgrupos, con diferencias de edad de un año. En la muestra se midieron altura, peso, índice de masa corporal (IMC), diámetros, volúmenes y pliegues de la piel. También se calcularon la composición corporal y somatotipo. Estos fueron menores en niños de 14 años y tuvieron menores tendencias que otros grupos etarios. De 16 años en adelante, no hubo diferencias en las mediciones, lo que indica que los encuestados obtienen gradualmente el aspecto de jugadores adultos. Todos los pliegues de la piel en los jugadores jóvenes macedonios (excepto los pliegues de la piel de la escápula) disminuyen con la edad y en comparación con los compañeros pertenecientes a la población normal, son más bajos. Para los jugadores jóvenes de todas las edades domina el componente mesomórfico, y los valores más bajos tienen el componente endomorfo, en lo que respecta a sus compañeros de la población general. Los resultados obtenidos pueden servir de indicadores antropométricos para establecer normativas para los exámenes médicos en jugadores jóvenes de Macedonia, pudiendo también ser utilizados como una plantilla para la comparación del somatotipo antropométrico de los jugadores jóvenes en niveles similares de diferentes países.