Influence of Secondary School Students' Physical Fitness on Sports Performance during an Ultimate Frisbee Competition.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of secondary school students' fitness profile on physical and technical−tactical performance in simulated competition conditions of ultimate frisbee when there is no previous experience in the practice of the sport. Forty-three secondary school students participated in this research. The students were divided into two groups according to their results in the Assessing Levels of Physical Activity and fitness test battery (ALPHA fitness test): poor physical fitness (PPF) (N = 24; age: 14.9 ± 0.8 years; height: 166.1 ± 10.9 cm; body mass: 62.2 ± 11.0 kg; ALPHA fitness score: 2.7 ± 0.7 points) and good physical fitness (GPF) (N = 19; age: 14.5 ± 0.6 years; height: 165.9 ± 5.8 cm; body mass: 58.9 ± 7.5 kg; ALPHA fitness score: 4.4 ± 0.3 points). Physical variables during the ultimate frisbee match were assessed using Global Positioning System technology. The matches were video-recorded, and individual technical actions were noted afterwards. The GPF group showed higher values for running (p = 0.039), high-speed running (p = 0.015), sprinting (p = 0.022) and total distance covered (p = 0.025) than the PPF group. In addition, more passes (p = 0.019), offensive decision making (p = 0.009) and player participation (p = 0.046) were recorded in the GPF group than the PPF group. Correlational analysis revealed a positive relationship (p < 0.05) between individual participation and the meters covered for jogging, running, running at high speed and sprinting during the game. In conclusion, although the students were novices in ultimate frisbee, the high physical fitness level had a positive effect on the game performance. Physical education teachers should consider this information when introducing new sports into their physical education classes.

Valores normativos de condición física en escolares argentinos de la provincia de Neuquén: estudio Plan de Evaluación de la Condición Física / Physical fitness standards in students from the province of Neuquén, Argentina. Physical Fitness Assessment Plan study

Introducción. Actualmente, se desconocen las características de la condición física (CF) en niños y adolescentes escolares de la provincia de Neuquén. Por eso, desde la Secretaría de Deporte de dicha provincia, se desarrolló el Plan de Evaluación de la Condición Física. El principal propósito del estudio fue aplicar la batería ALPHA-Fitness en escolares neuquinos, con el objetivo de construir tablas normativas de referencia de la CF.Población y métodos. 4487 alumnos neuquinos de ambos sexos, de entre 9 y 18,9 años de edad, fueron evaluados con la batería ALPHA-Fitnessde alta prioridad en 4 componentes de la CF: 1) Morfológico: peso corporal y estatura para calcular el índice de masa corporal; 2) Muscular: salto en largo sin carrera previa; 3) Motor: 4 x 10 m para evaluar la velocidad/agilidad; y 4) Cardiorrespiratorio: test de ida y vuelta en 20 m (20 m-SRT; por shuttle run test).Resultados. El índice de masa corporal medio obtenido fue 22,9 ± 4,7 kg/m2; se clasificó el 25 % en la categoría sobrepeso, y el 12,7 %, en obesidad. Los valores medios obtenidos para la CF fueron componente cardiorrespiratorio: 4,3 ± 2,5 etapas, 10,1 ± 1,2 km/h, volumen de oxígeno máximo de 38,7 ± 6,7 ml/kg/min; salto en largo: 147,3 ± 34,6 cm; motor: 13,0 ± 1,5 s. Los sujetos masculinos tuvieron mayor rendimiento en las pruebas de CF (p < 0,001).Conclusión. Los resultados de este estudio proveen las primeras tablas normativas de CF en niños y adolescentes de ambos sexos para la provincia de Neuquén, Argentina.

Introduction. At present, there is no information about the physical fitness (PF) of children and adolescents attending school in the province of Neuquén. The provincial Department of Sports developed the Physical Fitness Assessment Plan. The main objective of this study was to administer the ALPHA-Fitness test battery to the students of Neuquén in order to develop PF reference standards.Population and methods. A total of 4487 male and female students of Neuquén aged 9-18.9 years were assessed based on four PF components of the high priority ALPHA-Fitness test battery: 1) morphological: body weight and height to estimate body mass index; 2) musculoskeletal: standing long jump test; 3) motor: 4 x 10 m speed/agility test; and 4) cardiorespiratory: 20-m shuttle run test (SRT).Results. The mean body mass index was 22.9 ± 4.7 kg/m2; 25 % of participants were overweight and 12.7 %, obese. The mean values for the cardiorespiratory component were 4.3 ± 2.5 stages, 10.1 ± 1.2 km/h, maximal oxygen volume of 38.7 ± 6.7 mL/kg/min; standing long jump: 147.3 ± 34.6 cm; and for the motor component:13.0 ± 1.5 s. Male participants had a better performance in PF tests (p < 0.001).Conclusion. The study results provide the first PF standards for male and female children and adolescents of the province of Neuquén, Argentina.

Physical fitness standards in students from province of Neuquén, Argentina. Physical Fitness Assessment Plan study. / Valores normativos de condición física en escolares argentinos de la provincia de Neuquén: estudio Plan de Evaluación de la Condición Física.

INTRODUCTION: At present, there is no information about the physical fitness (PF) of children and adolescents attending school in the province of Neuquén. The provincial Department of Sports developed the Physical Fitness Assessment Plan. The main objective of this study was to administer the ALPHA-Fitness test battery to the students of Neuquén in order to develop PF reference standards. POPULATION AND METHODS: A total of 4487 male and female students of Neuquén aged 9-18.9 years were assessed based on four PF components of the high priority ALPHA-Fitness test battery: 1) morphological: body weight and height to estimate body mass index; 2) musculoskeletal: standing long jump test; 3) motor: 4 x 10 m speed/ agility test; and 4) cardiorespiratory: 20-m shuttle run test (SRT). RESULTS: The mean body mass index was 22.9 ± 4.7 kg/m2; 25 % of participants were overweight and 12.7 %, obese. The mean values for the cardiorespiratory component were 4.3 ± 2.5 stages, 10.1 ± 1.2 km/h, maximal oxygen volume of 38.7 ± 6.7 mL/kg/min; standing long jump: 147.3 ± 34.6 cm; and for the motor component: 13.0 ± 1.5 s. Male participants had a better performance in PF tests (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The study results provide the first PF standards for male and female children and adolescents of the province of Neuquén, Argentina.

Introducción. Actualmente, se desconocen las características de la condición física (CF) en niños y adolescentes escolares de la provincia de Neuquén. Por eso, desde la Secretaría de Deporte de dicha provincia, se desarrolló el Plan de Evaluación de la Condición Física. El principal propósito del estudio fue aplicar la batería ALPHA-Fitness en escolares neuquinos, con el objetivo de construir tablas normativas de referencia de la CF. Población y métodos. 4487 alumnos neuquinos de ambos sexos, de entre 9 y 18,9 años de edad, fueron evaluados con la batería ALPHA-Fitness de alta prioridad en 4 componentes de la CF: 1) Morfológico: peso corporal y estatura para calcular el índice de masa corporal; 2) Muscular: salto en largo sin carrera previa; 3) Motor: 4 x 10 m para evaluar la velocidad/agilidad; y 4) Cardiorrespiratorio: test de ida y vuelta en 20 m (20 m-SRT; por shuttle run test). Resultados. El índice de masa corporal medio obtenido fue 22,9 ± 4,7 kg/m2; se clasificó el 25 % en la categoría sobrepeso, y el 12,7 %, en obesidad. Los valores medios obtenidos para la CF fueron componente cardiorrespiratorio: 4,3 ± 2,5 etapas, 10,1 ± 1,2 km/h, volumen de oxígeno máximo de 38,7 ± 6,7 ml/kg/min; salto en largo: 147,3 ± 34,6 cm; motor: 13,0 ± 1,5 s. Los sujetos masculinos tuvieron mayor rendimiento en las pruebas de CF (p < 0,001). Conclusión. Los resultados de este estudio proveen las primeras tablas normativas de CF en niños y adolescentes de ambos sexos para la provincia de Neuquén, Argentina.

An After-School, high-intensity, interval physical activity programme improves health-related fitness in children

Abstract Health problems related to a low level of physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents have prompted research into extracurricular PA programs. This study was designed to determine the effects of two different levels of PA on the health-related fitness of school children. Ninety-four girls and boys (7-9 years) were randomly assigned to a control group (CG) or intervention group (IG). Over a 12 week study period, children in the CG participated in a similar PA program to that of a standard school physical education program while those in the IG completed a high intensity interval training (HIIT) program. Both programs involved two 40 minute extracurricular sessions per week. Our findings indicate that the HIIT intervention improved motor capacity (speed/agility), Vpeak, VO2 max and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) (p < 0.05) along with the musculoskeletal capacity of the lower trunk (mean propulsive velocity and standing long jump, p < 0.05). The PA program had no effect on anthropometric variables or hand-grip strength. The data indicate that a 12 week strength training program using workloads adapted to children may significantly improve several markers of health and physical fitness compared to a standard school PA program.