Title
Reference standards to assess physical fitness of children and adolescents of Brazil: An approach to the students of the Lake Itaipú region-Brazil
Date Issued
01 January 2017
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Hobold E.
Pires-Lopes V.
de Arruda M.
Andruske C.L.
Pacheco-Carrillo J.
Publisher(s)
PeerJ Inc.
Abstract
Background. The importance of assessing body fat variables and physical fitness tests plays an important role in monitoring the level of activity and physical fitness of the general population. The objective of this study was to develop reference norms to evaluate the physical fitness aptitudes of children and adolescents based on age and sex from the lake region of Itaipú, Brazil. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with 5,962 students (2,938 males and 3,024 females) with an age range of 6.0 and 17.9 years. Weight (kg), height (cm), and triceps (mm), and sub-scapular skinfolds (mm) were measured. Body Mass Index (BMI kg/m2) was calculated. To evaluate the four physical fitness aptitude dimensions (morphological, muscular strength, flexibility, and cardio-respiratory), the following physical education tests were given to the students: sit-and-reach (cm), pushups (rep), standing long jump (cm), and 20-m shuttle run (m). Results and Discussion. Females showed greater flexibility in the sit-and-reach test and greater body fat than the males. No differences were found in BMI. Percentiles were created for the four components for the physical fitness aptitudes, BMI, and skinfolds by using the LMS method based on age and sex. The proposed reference values may be used for detecting talents and promoting health in children and adolescents.
Volume
2017
Issue
11
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Ciencias del deporte y la aptitud física
Ciencias médicas, Ciencias de la salud
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85035349946
Source
PeerJ
ISSN of the container
21678359
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus