Clusters of negative health-related physical fitness indicators and associated factors in adolescents

Abstract Inadequate levels in health-related physical fitness components are associated with early cardiovascular mortality in adult life. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between clusters of negative physical fitness indicators with sociodemographic and lifestyle variables in adolescents. The survey was conducted with 866 students (14-19 years) from public schools of S ão José, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Aerobic fitness was assessed by the modified Canadian aerobic fitness test; muscle strength was measured by handgrip dynamometer; flexibility was assessed by the sit-and-reach test; body fat was measured by the sum of triceps and subscapular skinfolds. Sociodemogra phic and lifestyle variables were verified by questionnaire. The simultaneity of behaviors was evaluated by the ratio between observed and expected prevalence of inadequate physical fitness levels. The combination of negative physical fitness indicators was analyzed through multinomial logistic regr ession. The prevalence observed for the simultaneity of four negative physical fitness indicators was 30% higher than expected. Female adolescents were more susceptible to the presence of two, three and four negative physical fitness indicators. Adolescents who presented risk behavior in relation to screen time were more likely to present one, three and four negative physical fitness indicators. Female gender and risk behavior in relation to screen time were factors associated with the simultaneity ...
Source: Revista Brasileira de Cineantropometria e Desempenho Humano - Category: Sports Medicine Source Type: research