Validity and reference values for the 3-minute shuttle run test in spanish preschoolers.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the validity and provide normative values for the three-min shuttle run test in Spanish preschoolers. METHODS: A total of 497 children (mean age 4.83±0.57 years; 47.8% girls) performed the three-min shuttle run test. Posttest body mass index and heart rate values were taken as internal validity indicators. RESULTS: Age- and sex-specific percentiles for cardiorespiratory fitness were provided. Boys performed better than girls in the test. A significant association was observed between the total distance covered and heart rate (p=0.002). No correlation was found between body mass index and the test score, although the total distance covered by normal weight and obese children was significantly different (296.9 versus. 271.3 m; p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides age- and sex-specific cardiorespiratory fitness normative values for the three-min shuttle run test when performed by Spanish preschoolers. This test is an interesting option when the lack of resources limits the measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness in the preschool setting.

Validity and reference values for the 3-minute shuttle run test in spanish preschoolers

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the validity and provide normative values for the three-min shuttle run test in Spanish preschoolers. METHODS: A total of 497 children (mean age 4.83±0.57 years; 47.8% girls) performed the three-min shuttle run test. Posttest body mass index and heart rate values were taken as internal validity indicators. RESULTS: Age- and sex-specific percentiles for cardiorespiratory fitness were provided. Boys performed better than girls in the test. A significant association was observed between the total distance covered and heart rate (p=0.002). No correlation was found between body mass index and the test score, although the total distance covered by normal weight and obese children was significantly different (296.9 versus. 271.3 m; p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides age- and sex-specific cardiorespiratory fitness normative values for the three-min shuttle run test when performed by Spanish preschoolers. This test is an interesting option when the lack of resources limits the measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness in the preschool setting.

The Effects of Nordic Walking and Slope of the Ground on Lower Limb Muscle Activity.

Psurny, M, Svoboda, Z, Janura, M, Kubonova, E, Bizovska, L, Martinez Lemos, RI, and Abrantes, J. The effects of Nordic walking and slope of the ground on lower limb muscle activity. J Strength Cond Res 32(1): 217-222, 2018-Nordic walking (NW) has proven to be a simple and safe mode of exercise that can be used in various types of sport, recreation, and rehabilitation activities. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Nordic walking and slope of the ground on lower limb muscle activity. The experimental group consisted of 22 healthy men (aged 22.8 ± 1.4 years). The subjects walked on a treadmill at a self-selected speed. Two walking conditions (NW and walking) and 2 ground slopes (level ground and uphill walking at an 8% incline) were used. The surface electromyographic signals of the gastrocnemius lateralis, tibialis anterior, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris and gluteus medius were recorded. Nordic walking resulted in increased activity of some lower limb muscles, particularly during the first half of the stance phase, and decreased muscle activity during the first half of the swing phase. Uphill walking elicited increased muscle activity compared with level walking, particularly during the stance phase and the second half of the swing phase during both walking and NW, and the change was more pronounced during walking. We concluded that NW increased muscle activity in the lower extremities compared with walking, particularly on level ground. Increasing the ground slope enhanced the muscle activity to a much greater extent than NW.