The influence of physical literacy of student with different obesity levels on physical fitness: the mediating effect of MVPA.

Background: Perceived physical literacy (PL) is a potential factor for improving health and physical activity, but the relationship between PL and physical fitness (PF) among college students with different obesity levels has not yet been determined. Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between PL, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and PF among college students with different obesity levels. Methods: We recruited Chinese university students to complete a questionnaire and conducted a survey using the Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument Scale (PPLI-SC) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The physical fitness test data were used for data analysis. The direct and indirect impacts were analyzed using Pearson correlation and the SPSS Hayes process macro (Model 4). Results: The study surveyed 909 boys and 1,668 girls for a total of 2,577 valid questionnaires. Similarly, the MVPA and perceived PL of boys were significantly greater than those of girls (p < 0.01), but the opposite was true for the PF score. The correlation analysis showed that MVPA, perceived PL, and PF were significantly correlated (p < 0.01). For normal weight student, the results showed that the direct effect of PL on PF was still statistically significant (ß = 0.076, p < 0.01) after adding MVPA; MVPA had a positive effect on PF after controlling for perceived PL (ß = 0.055, p < 0.05). Perceived PL has a positive effect on MVPA (ß = 0.123, p < 0.01). The mediating effect of MVPA was notably significant, with a mediation effect percentage of 7.9%. However, it has been found that among the underweight population, there is an absence of a significant relationship between PL, PF, and MVPA (p > 0.05). Contrarily, in the overweight and obese groups, the mediating role of MVPA in the relationship between PL and PF was not statistically supported (-0.002, 0.033). Conclusion: For normal weight student, perceived PL has a positive impact on PF and can also be promoted by increasing the pathway of MVPA. For both underweight individuals and obese populations, further investigation is needed into methods for promoting PA and improving PF.

Correction: The Cardiorespiratory fitness of children and adolescents in Tibet at altitudes over 3,500 meters.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256258.].

The Cardiorespiratory fitness of children and adolescents in Tibet at altitudes over 3,500 meters.

BACKGROUND: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is the core element of health-related physical fitness evaluation. High pressure and low oxygen in Tibet (over 3,500 m above sea level) may negatively impact the residents' CRF. The 20-m shuttle run test (20mSRT) is the most popular field-based assessment and estimate of CRF in children and adolescents worldwide. However, normative CRF data for the children and adolescents residing in China's plateau region are unavailable, which prevents comparability among those living at high-altitudes around the world. PURPOSE: To measure the CRF of Chinese children and adolescents aged 9-18 years living in Tibet at altitudes exceeding 3,500 m, and to identify correlations between this metric and demographic characteristics (age, sex, and ethnicity). These data were then compared with those generated in the lowland (Shanghai, China) and various global regions. METHODS: 20mSRT performance (number of completed laps) and predicted peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) were used as indicators of CRF. We measured the CRF of 1,717 healthy children and adolescents aged 9-18 years living in Tibet. The CRF data from school-age subjects in Shanghai (2,437 boys and 2,396 girls) and worldwide (1,142,026 students from 50 countries/regions in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Oceania) were collated from published papers. RESULTS: The average CRF of the participants from Tibet was 39.8 mL/kg/min. The male subjects (n = 876; 41.1 ± 4.42 mL/kg/min) had a higher average CRF than their female counterparts (n = 841; 37.8 ± 5.40 mL/kg/min). CRF decreased with age in both sexes at statistical significance (F = 1249.9, p for trend 0.05). The indigenous Tibetans (n = 1289; 40.1 ± 3.71 mL/kg/min) had a significant higher average CRF than those of Han descent (n = 394; 38.9 ± 4.70 mL/kg/min) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents aged 7-18 years residing above 3,500 m in Tibet displayed lower CRF traits compared with their counterparts from the plains area and other high altitude places. CRF varied according to age, sex, and ethnic group. Given the importance of CRF in children and adolescents, effective intervention strategies should be implemented to improve CRF in children and adolescents on the plateau.

Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents at Altitudes over 3500 Meters: A Cross-Sectional Study in Tibet.

There is a scarcity of studies on the physical activity (PA) of children and adolescents who live at high altitudes. This study aimed to objectively assess PA of children and adolescents living in the Tibet at altitudes over 3500 m and to examine its difference by ethnicity, gender, age/grade, and body weight status groups. A sample of 397 students aged 9⁻18 years were recruited from 7 schools in Lhasa, Tibet. PA was measured using accelerometers (ActiGraph GT3X) for seven consecutive days and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) was identified using the Evenson (2008) cut-points. Participant MVPA was 62.3 min/day, with 65.5 min/day during weekdays and 54.1 min/day on weekends. Indigenous Tibetans were more active than Hans, and boys had more MVPA than girls. Age had a significantly weak negative correlation with MVPA. There was no significant difference in MVPA between the non-overweight and overweight/obese groups. Overall, only 9.1% (13.8% in boys and 4.5% in girls) accumulated at least 60 min of MVPA per day. Compared to their counterparts in other regions, the daily MVPA of children and adolescents living on the Tibetan Plateau at altitudes over 3500 m was relatively high. However, the proportion of meeting the WHO's PA recommendations was extremely low.