Sex-specific associations of moderate and vigorous physical activity with physical fitness in adolescents |
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| Authors: | T Kidokoro H Tanaka K Naoi K Ueno T Yanaoka K Kashiwabara |
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| Institution: | 1. The United Graduate School of Education, Division of Health and Sport Education, Tokyo Gakugei University, 4-1-1 Nukuikitamachi, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8501, Japan;2. Faculty of Education and Human Science, Yokohama National University, 79-1 Tokiwadai, Hotogaya, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-8501, Japan;3. Koganei Junior High School, Tokyo Gakugei University, 4-1-1 Nukuikitamachi, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8501, Japan;4. Department of Health and Sports Sciences, Tokyo Gakugei University, 4-1-1 Nukuikitamachi, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8501, Japan |
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| Abstract: | The present study examined the sex-specific associations of moderate and vigorous physical activity (VPA) with physical fitness in 300 Japanese adolescents aged 12–14 years. Participants were asked to wear an accelerometer to evaluate physical activity (PA) levels of various intensities (i.e. moderate PA (MPA), 3–5.9 metabolic equivalents (METs); VPA, ≥6 METs; moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), ≥3 METs). Eight fitness items were assessed (grip strength, bent-leg sit-up, sit-and-reach, side step, 50?m sprint, standing long jump, handball throw, and distance running) as part of the Japanese standardised fitness test. A fitness composite score was calculated using Japanese fitness norms, and participants were categorised according to their score from category A (most fit) to category E (least fit), with participants in categories D and E defined as having low fitness. It was found that for boys, accumulating more than 80.7?min/day of MVPA may reduce the probability of low fitness (odds ratio (ORs) 95% confidence interval (CI)]?=?0.17 0.06–0.47], p?=?.001). For girls, accumulating only 8.4?min of VPA could reduce the likelihood of exhibiting low fitness (ORs 95% CI]?=?0.23 0.05–0.89], p?=?.032). These results reveal that there are sex-specific differences in the relationship between PA and physical fitness in adolescents, suggesting that sex-specific PA recommendation may be needed to improve physical fitness in adolescents. |
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| Keywords: | Physical activity physical fitness intensity gender adolescents |
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