Tracking of muscular strength and power from youth to young adulthood: Longitudinal findings from the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health Study. Correlates of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness among Brazilian adolescents. The association of physical activity and physical fitness with pre-adolescent obesity: an observational study in Metromanila, Philippines. Body mass index, fitness and physical activity from childhood through adolescence Low physical fitness in childhood is associated with the development of asthma in young adulthood: the Odense schoolchild study. Suspected Motor Problems and Low Preference for Active Play in Childhood Are Associated with Physical Inactivity and Low Fitness in Adolescence Socioeconomic position and the tracking of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness from childhood to adulthood. Physical activity and obesity mediate the association between childhood motor function and adolescents’ academic achievement Cross sectional analysis of the association between mode of school transportation and physical fitness in children and adolescents Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Childhood and Adolescence Affects Future Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies Changes in physical activity are reflected in changes in fitness during late adolescence. A 2-year follow-up study. Relationships between physical activity, physical fitness, muscle strength and nutritional state in 5- to 11-year-old children Correlates of preschool children’s objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior: a cross-sectional analysis of the SPLASHY study Design of the Quality of Life in Motion (QLIM) study: a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a combined physical exercise and psychosocial training program to improve physical fitness in children with cancer A policy-driven multifaceted approach for early childhood physical fitness promotion: impacts on body composition and physical fitness in young Chinese children The relationship between health-related fitness and quality of life in postmenopausal women from Southern Taiwan Tracking of physical activity from early childhood through youth into adulthood.
OBJECTIVES Low muscular fitness levels have previously been reported as an independent risk factor for chronic disease outcomes . Muscular fitness tracking , the ability to maintain levels measured at one point in time to another point in time , was assessed from youth to adulthood to provide insight into whether early identification of low muscular fitness in youth is possible . DESIGN Prospect i ve longitudinal study . METHODS Study including 623 participants who had muscular fitness measures in 1985 ( aged 9 , 12 or 15 years ) and again 20 years later in young adulthood . Measures of muscular fitness were strength ( right and left grip , leg , shoulder extension and flexion measured by dynamometer , and a combined strength score ) and power ( st and ing long jump distance ) . RESULTS Strength and power were relatively stable between youth and adulthood ; the strongest tracking correlations were observed for the combined strength score ( r=0.47 , p≤0.001 ) , right grip strength ( r=0.43 , p≤0.001 ) and st and ing long jump ( r=0.43 , p≤0.001 ) . Youth in the lowest third of muscular fitness had an increased risk of remaining in the lowest third of muscular fitness in adulthood ( strength : relative risk (RR)=4.70 , 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) ( 3.19 , 6.92 ) ; power : RR=4.06 ( 2.79 , 5.90 ) ) . CONCLUSIONS Youth with low muscular fitness are at increased risk of maintaining a low muscular fitness level into adulthood . These findings warrant investigation into the long term effects of early interventions that focus on improving low muscular fitness levels in youth which could potentially improve adult muscular fitness and reduce future chronic disease outcomes OBJECTIVE To analyze socioeconomic indicators , physical activity ( PA ) opportunities , and behavioral correlates of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness among Brazilian boys and girls . METHODS A sample of 1555 adolescents was r and omly selected . Age- and sex-specific st and ard scores were calculated for each fitness component . RESULTS Among boys , head of household 's schooling , involvement in organized PA , meeting the PA recommendations , and computer/games use were associated with cardiorespiratory fitness . Involvement in organized PA and active time in Physical Education ( PE ) classes were predictors of muscular fitness . Among girls , active time in PE classes and TV watching were predictors of cardiorespiratory fitness . Meeting the PA recommendations was associated with muscular fitness . CONCLUSION PA variables and sedentary behaviors should be independently considered for physical fitness promotion in youth BACKGROUND Childhood obesity has been inconsistently associated with decreased levels of physical activity and fitness . Moreover , little is known about this relationship among Filipino preteens . METHODS This cross sectional study reports the association between childhood obesity , measures of physical activity , and fitness .  Children aged 11 to 12 from r and omly selected schools from San Juan , Metromanila were included . Outcome measures were body mass index , Filipino modified Physical Activity Question naire for Older children ( F_PAQ-C ) ,  st and ing broad jump , 50 m sprint  and  20 m multistage shuttle run .  RESULTS 380 children participated in the study . Obese children had significantly lower median scores in the F_PAQ-C compared with overweight children . Overweight children had lower scores in the st and ing broad jump , 50 m sprints and predicted VO2max as compared with children with normal BMI . There were modest associations between the 50 m sprint , predicted VO2max , and F_PAQ-C. CONCLUSION Our study has showed that physical activity and fitness scores were strongly correlated with childhood obesity . If childhood physical fitness is a predictor of physical fitness in adulthood which is a risk factor in cardiovascular diseases , there is a strong possibility that the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in the Philippines will increase dramatically in the future Background Obesity , sedentary lifestyle and poor cardiorespiratory fitness in childhood may increase the risk of health problems later in life . Purpose The authors studied the association of early childhood weight status with cardiorespiratory fitness and leisure-time physical activity ( LTPA ) in adolescence . The stability and associations of LTPA and fitness from childhood through adolescence were also studied . Methods  Body mass index ( BMI ) was assessed annually since birth in a prospect i ve , longitudinal study . The mean BMI between ages 2 and 7 years indicated weight status at preschool age . Fitness was studied with a shuttle run test at age 9 and with a maximal cycle ergometer test at age 17 . The same question naire was used to assess LTPA at age 9 , 13 and 17 . Complete data on preschool BMI , LTPA at ages 13 and 17 and fitness at age 17 years was provided by 351 children , while fitness and LTPA data were available for 74 children at ages 9 and 17 . Results Preschool BMI was inversely associated with fitness in adolescence independently of adolescent LTPA ( p=0.0001 ) . Children who had a high preschool BMI but whose weight status was reduced in adolescence had similar fitness in adolescence as the children with a persistently low BMI . Regardless of the fitness level in childhood , the children whose LTPA increased between age 9 and 17 had a similar adolescent fitness level as persistently active subjects . Conclusions It is important to maintain a healthy body weight and a physically active lifestyle from very childhood through adolescence to improve fitness during adolescence Intense physical activity in  children may either improve fitness and protect against asthma , or may trigger symptoms . The aim of this study was to determine whether physical fitness in childhood has an impact on the development of asthma . In this prospect i ve , community-based study , 757 ( 84 % ) asymptomatic children with an average age at inclusion of 9.7 yrs were followed for 10.5 yrs . In both surveys a maximal progressive exercise test on a bicycle ergometer was used to measure physical fitness ( maximal workload ) and to induce airway narrowing . A methacholine provocation test was performed in the subjects at follow-up . During the 10-yr study period , 51 ( 6.7 % ) of the previously asymptomatic children developed  asthma . These subjects had a lower mean physical fitness in 1985 than their peers : ( 3.63 versus 3.89 W x kg(-1 ) ; p=0.02 ) in boys and ( 3.17 versus 3.33 W x kg(-1 ) ; p=0.02 ) in girls . A weak correlation was found between physical fitness in childhood and airway responsiveness to methacholine at follow-up when adjusted for body mass index , age and sex ( r=0.11 ; p<0.01 ) . In a multiple regression analysis , physical fitness was inversely related to the development of physician diagnosed asthma , odds ratio=0.93 ( 0.87 - 0.99 ) . Thus , the risk for the development of asthma during adolescence is reduced 7 % by increasing the maximal workload 1 W x kg(-1 ) . In conclusion , this study showed that physical fitness in childhood is weakly correlated with the development of asthma during adolescence and that high physical fitness seems to be associated with a reduced risk for the development of asthma Background This prospect i ve longitudinal study investigates whether suspected motor problems and low preference for active play in childhood are associated with  physical inactivity and low cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescence . Methodology /Principal Findings The study sample consisted of the Northern Finl and Birth Cohort 1986 ( NFBC 1986 ) composed of 5,767 children whose parents responded to a postal inquiry concerning their children 's motor skills at age 8 years and who themselves reported their physical activity at age 16 years .  Cardiorespiratory fitness  was measured with a  cycle ergometer test at age 16 years . Odds ratios ( OR ) and their 95 % confidence intervals ( 95 % CI ) for the level of physical activity and fitness were obtained from multinomial logistic regression and adjusted for socio-economic position and body mass index . Low preference for active play in childhood was associated with physical inactivity ( boys : OR 3.31 , 95 % CI 2.42–4.53 ; girls : OR 1.79 , 95 % CI 1.36–2.36 ) and low cardiorespiratory fitness ( boys : OR 1.87 , 95 % CI 1.27–2.74 ; girls : OR 1.52 , 95 % CI 1.09–2.11 ) in adolescence . Suspected gross ( OR 2.16 , 95 % CI 1.33–3.49 ) and fine ( OR 1.88 , 95 % CI 1.35–2.60 ) motor problems were associated with physical inactivity among boys . Children with suspected motor problems and low preference for active play  tended to have an even higher risk of physical inactivity in adolescence . Conclusions / Significance Low preference for active play in childhood was associated with physical inactivity and low cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescence . Furthermore , children with suspected motor problems and low preference for active play tended to have an even higher risk of physical inactivity in adolescence . Identification of children who do not prefer active play and who have motor problems may allow targeted interventions to support their motor learning and participation in active play and thereby promote their physical activity and fitness in later life This study examined the influence of childhood socioeconomic position ( SEP ) and social mobility on activity and fitness tracking from childhood into adulthood . In a prospect i ve cohort of 2,185 Australian adults ( aged 26 - 36 years ) , first examined in 1985 ( at ages 7 - 15 years ) , self-reported physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness ( sub sample only ) were measured .  SEP  measures included retrospectively reported parental education ( baseline ) and own education ( follow-up ) . There was little evidence of a relation between childhood SEP and activity tracking , but high childhood SEP  ( maternal education ) was associated with a 59 % increased likelihood of persistent fitness , and medium childhood SEP  ( paternal and parental education ) was associated with a 33%-36 % decreased likelihood of persistent fitness . Upward social mobility was associated with a greater likelihood of increasing activity ( 38%-49 % ) and fitness ( 90 % ) , and persistently high SEP was associated with a greater likelihood of increasing activity ( males : 58 % ) and fitness ( males and females combined : 89 % ) . In conclusion , persistently high SEP and upward social mobility were associated with increases in activity and fitness from childhood to adulthood . Findings highlight socioeconomic differentials in activity and fitness patterns and suggest that improvements in education may represent a pathway through which physical activity levels can be increased and health benefits achieved The global epidemic of obesity and physical inactivity may have detrimental implication s for young people ’s  cognitive function and academic achievement . This prospect i ve study investigated whether childhood motor function predicts later academic achievement via physical activity , fitness , and obesity . The study sample included 8,061 children from the Northern Finl and Birth Cohort 1986 , which contains data about parent-reported motor function at age 8 y and self-reported physical activity , predicted cardiorespiratory fitness ( cycle ergometer test ) , obesity ( body weight and height ) , and academic achievement ( grade s ) at age 16 y.  Structural equation models with unst and ardized ( B ) and st and ardized ( β ) coefficients were used to test whether , and to what extent , physical activity , cardiorespiratory fitness , and obesity at age 16 mediated the association between childhood motor function and adolescents ’ academic achievement . Physical activity was associated with a higher grade -point average , and obesity was associated with a lower grade -point average in adolescence . Furthermore , compromised motor function in childhood had a negative indirect effect on adolescents ’ academic achievement via physical inactivity ( B = –0.023 , 95 % confidence interval = –0.031 , –0.015 ) and obesity ( B = –0.025 , 95 % confidence interval = –0.039 , –0.011 ) , but not via cardiorespiratory fitness . These results suggest that physical activity and obesity may mediate the association between childhood motor function and adolescents ’ academic achievement . Compromised motor function in childhood may represent an important factor driving the effects of obesity and physical inactivity on academic underachievement Objective To investigate the associations between body composition , cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness in relation to travel mode to school in children and adolescents . Method Children and adolescents from 40 elementary schools and 23 high schools representing all regions in Norway were invited to participate in the study . Anthropometry , cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness  were tested at the school location . Question naires were used in order to register mode of transport to school , age , gender and levels of leisure time physical activity . Results A total of 1694 ( i.e. 60 % of all invited participants ) children and adolescents at a mean age of 9.6 and 15.6 respectively ( SD = 0.4 for both groups ) were analyzed for associations with physical fitness variables . Males cycling to school had lower sum of skin folds than adolescents walking to school . Higher cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescents and male cyclists compared to walkers and passive commuters were observed . Among children , cycling and walking to school , higher isometric muscle endurance in the back extensors compared to passive commuters was observed . Conclusion Based on this national representative cross-sectional examination of r and omly selected children and adolescents there is evidence that active commuting , especially cycling , is associated with a favourable body composition and better cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness as compared to passive commuting Background Although cardiorespiratory fitness ( CRF ) in childhood and adolescence may be linked to future cardiovascular health , there is currently limited evidence for a longitudinal association . Objectives To provide a systematic review on the prospect i ve association between CRF in childhood and adolescence and cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk factors at least 2 years later . Methods Using a systematic search of Medline , Embase , and SPORTD iscus , relevant articles were identified by the following criteria : generally healthy children and adolescents between 3 and 18 years of age with CRF assessed at baseline , and a follow-up period of ≥ 2 years . The outcome measures were CVD risk factors . We appraised quality of the included articles with STROBE and QUIPS checklists . Results After screening 7524 titles and abstract s , we included 38 articles , assessing 44,169 children and adolescents followed up for a median of 6 years . Eleven articles were of high quality . There was considerable heterogeneity in methodology , measurement of CRF , and outcomes , which hampered meta- analysis . In approximately half of the included articles higher CRF in childhood and adolescence was associated with lower body mass index ( BMI ) , waist circumference , body fatness and lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome in later life . No associations between CRF in childhood and adolescence and future waist-to-hip ratio , blood pressure , lipid profile , and glucose homeostasis were observed . Conclusion Although about half of the included articles reported inverse associations between CRF in childhood and adolescence and future BMI , body fatness , and metabolic syndrome , evidence for other CVD risk factors was unconvincing . Many articles did not account for important confounding factors such as adiposity . Recommendations for future research include st and ardizing the measurement of CRF , i.e. by reporting VO2max , using st and ardized outcome assessment s , and performing individual patient data meta-analyses The study describe changes over 2 years in different physical fitness measures and the relationship between these changes and changes in physical activity . Maximal aerobic work capacity ( Wattmax ) , functional strength , muscle endurance , agility and flexibility were measured in 259 r and omly selected high school boys and girls 16.5 years of age and followed-up 2 years later , while they still attended school . Most physical fitness measures increased over time in boys , and in girls an increase was found in arm extensor strength and trunk extensor endurance , but Wattmax per kg body mass decreased . Changes in physical performance between 16 and 18 years of age seem to be very similar in different countries , despite differences in physical activity patterns and absolute level of performance . No change was found in time of participation in physical activity or sports activity  in either gender , but fewer girls participated in  leisure-time sports  at the 2nd test ( p < 0.001 ) . Change in physical activity or sports activity  did not relate to change in physical fitness level . The relationships between level of sports participation ( competition , for health or none ) and physical fitness measures at baseline and at the 2nd test were weak or non-significant . Three explanations for the weak relationship between physical activity and fitness are suggested : ( A ) part of the variability in fitness is explained by genetics , ( B ) growth and hormonal changes , especially in boys , override the stimulus of training , and ( C ) the physical fitness level in adolescents is so high that only physical activity at high relative intensity is supposed to have an effect on the fitness level Abstract The purpose of the present study was to assess different aspects of physical activity and fitness in order to develop a basis for sport programmes for overweight and obese children . Eighty-eight prepubertal children ( 49 boys , 39 girls , 4.8–11.4 years old , 61 % obese , 14 % overweight and 25 % normal weight ) were examined . Body composition was assessed by combined use of anthropometrics and bioelectrical impedance analysis . Resting energy expenditure ( REE ) and total energy expenditure ( TEE ) were measured by indirect calorimetry ( IC ) and individually calibrated 24-h heart rate ( HR ) monitoring , respectively . Activity-related energy expenditure ( AEE ) and physical activity level ( PAL )  were calculated from TEE and REE .  Fitness [ assessed by O2-pulse , respiratory exchange ratio ( RER ) at submaximal work intensities ] was determined by ergometry . The maximal isometric muscle strength of the legs ( m. quadriceps , Fa max , m. ischiocruralis , Fb max ) was measured by computer tensiometry .  Children were grouped according to their nutritional state , AEE , O2-pulse and muscle strength . When compared with normal weight children , obese and overweight children had increased fat mass ( FM ) , fat-free mass ( FFM ) , waist-to-hip ratio and REE , but no group differences were observed for TEE , AEE , and PAL . Obese and overweight children spent more hours per day watching TV  . After correction for body weight and FFM , no group differences in REE were observed , but normal weight children had a higher O2-pulse than overweight and obese children . By contrast , RER was increased in the latter group . The fittest group had the lowest body weight , BMI , FM and FFM . Children with a low O2-pulse spent more hours per day watching TV . Grouping children according to their degree of muscle strength , younger children ( 4–7.5 years ) did not show group differences in nutritional state , energy expenditure , physical activity and fitness . However , in the group of 7.6- to 11-year-old children , those with the greatest muscle strength and FFM had reduced BMI , skin folds , FM and FFM . FM correlated inversely with O2-pulse , but was not associated with TEE , AEE , PAL or muscle strength . By contrast TV consumption was positively associated with FM . To summarize , overweight and obese children were less fit and watched more TV than their normal weight counterparts . FM did not correspond to TEE , AEE or PAL . Muscle strength was not associated with FM in young children , but was inversely associated with FM in older children . Our cross-sectional data are consistent with the idea that increased fitness and reduced physical inactivity may prevent children from being overweight Background Identifying ways to promote physical activity and decrease sedentary time during childhood is a key public health issue . Research on the putative influences on preschool children ’s  physical activity ( PA ) and  sedentary behavior  ( SB ) is limited and has yielded inconsistent results . Our aim was to identify correlates of PA and SB in preschool children . Methods Cross-sectional data were drawn from the Swiss Preschoolers ’ Health Study ( SPLASHY ) , a Swiss population -based cohort study . Of 476 two to six year old children , 394 ( 54 % boys ) had valid PA data assessed by accelerometry .  Information on exposure data was directly measured or extracted from parental question naires . Multilevel linear regression modeling was used to separately assess associations between 35 potential correlates and  total PA ( TPA ) , moderate-to-vigorous PA ( MVPA ) and SB . Results In total , 12 correlates from different domains were identified . TPA and MVPA were greater in boys than girls , increased with age and were positively associated with gross motor skills . Children from single parent families had a higher level of TPA and spent less time sedentary than those living with two parents . Time spent outdoors was positively associated with TPA and negatively with SB . The child ’s activity temperament was related all three outcomes , whereas parental sports club membership , living area per person and neighborhood safety were associated with SB only . Fixed and r and om factors in the final models accounted for 28 % , 32 % and 22 % of the total variance in TPA , MVPA and SB , respectively . Variance decomposition revealed that age , sex and activity temperament were the most influential correlates of both , TPA and MVPA , whereas the child ’s activity temperament , time outdoors and neighborhood safety were identified as the most important correlates of SB . Conclusions A multidimensional set of correlates of young children ’s  activity behavior has been identified . Personal factors had the greatest influence on PA , whereas environmental-level factors had the greatest influence on SB . Moreover , we identified a number of previously unreported , potentially modifiable correlates of young children ’s PA and SB . These factors could serve to define target groups or become valuable targets for change in future interventions .Trial registration Current Controlled Trials IS RCT N41045021 ( date of registration : 21.03.14 ) Background Childhood cancer and its treatment have considerable impact on a child 's physical and mental wellbeing . Especially long-term administration of chemotherapy and /or radiotherapy impairs physical fitness both during and after therapy , when children often present with muscle weakness and /or low cardiorespiratory fitness . Physical exercise can improve these two elements of physical fitness , but the positive effects of physical exercise might be further increased when a child 's wellbeing is simultaneously enhanced by psychosocial training . Feeling better may increase the willingness and motivation to engage in sports activities . Therefore , this multi-centre study evaluates the short and long-term changes in physical fitness of a child with a childhood malignancy , using a combined physical exercise and psychosocial intervention program , implemented during or shortly after treatment . Also examined is whether positive effects on physical fitness reduce inactivity-related adverse health problems , improve quality of life , and are cost-effective . Methods This multi-centre r and omized controlled trial compares a combined physical and psychosocial intervention program for children with cancer , with care as usual ( controls ) . Children with cancer ( aged 8 - 18 years ) treated with chemotherapy and /or radiotherapy , and who are no longer than 1 year post-treatment , are eligible for participation . A total of 100 children are being recruited from the paediatric oncology/haematology departments of three Dutch university medical centres . Patients are stratified according to pubertal stage ( girls : age ≤10 or > 10 years ; boys : ≤11 or > 11 years ) , type of malignancy ( haematological or solid tumour ) , and moment of inclusion into the study ( during or after treatment ) , and are r and omly assigned to the intervention or control group . Discussion Childhood cancer patients undergoing long-term cancer therapy may benefit from a combined physical exercise and psychosocial intervention program since it may maintain or enhance their physical fitness and increase their quality of life . However , the feasibility , patient need , and effectiveness of such a program should be established before the program can be implemented as part of st and ard care . Trial registration numberNTR1531 ( The Netherl and s National Trial Register Background The prevalence of obesity increased while certain measures of physical fitness deteriorated in preschool children in China over the past decade . This study tested the effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention that integrated childcare center , families , and community to promote healthy growth and physical fitness in preschool Chinese children . Methods This 12-month study was conducted using a quasi-experimental pretest/posttest design with comparison group . The participants were 357 children ( mean age = 4.5 year ) enrolled in three grade levels in two childcare centers in Beijing , China . The intervention included : 1 ) childcare center intervention ( physical activity policy changes , teacher training , physical education curriculum and food services training ) , 2 ) family intervention ( parent education , internet website for support , and family events ) , and 3 ) community intervention ( playground renovation and community health promotion events ) . The study outcome measures included body composition ( percent body fat , fat mass , and muscle mass ) , Body Mass Index ( BMI ) and BMI z-score and physical fitness scores in 20-meter agility run ( 20M-AR ) , broad jump for distance ( BJ ) , timed 10-jumps , tennis ball throwing ( TBT ) , sit and reach ( SR ) , balance beam walk ( BBW ) , 20-meter crawl ( 20M-C ) ) , 30-meter sprint ( 30M-S ) ) from a norm referenced test . Measures of process evaluation included monitoring of children ’s physical activity ( activity time and intensity ) and food preparation records , and fidelity of intervention protocol implementation . Results Children in the intervention center significantly lowered their body fat percent ( −1.2 % , p < 0.0001 ) , fat mass ( −0.55 kg , p < 0.0001 ) , and body weight ( 0.36 kg , p < 0.02 ) and increased muscle mass ( 0.48 kg , p < 0.0001 ) , compared to children in the control center . They also improved all measures of physical fitness except timed 10-jumps ( 20M-AR : −0.74 seconds , p < 0.0001 ; BJ : 8.09 cm , p < 0.0001 ; TBT : 0.52 meters , p < 0.006 ; SR : 0.88 cm , p < 0.03 ; BBW : −2.02 seconds , p < 0.0001 ; 30M-S : −0.45 seconds , p < 0.02 ; 20M-C : −3.36 seconds , p < 0.0001 ) . Process evaluation data showed that the intervention protocol was implemented with high fidelity . Conclusions The study demonstrated that a policy-driven multi-faceted intervention can improve preschool children ’s body composition and physical fitness . Program efficacy should be tested in a r and omized trial . Trial registration ChiCTR-ONRC-14004143 Background Health-related fitness has been reported to be associated with improved quality of life ( QoL ) in the elderly . Health-related fitness is comprised of several dimensions that could be enhanced by specific training regimens . It has remained unclear how various dimensions of health-related fitness interact with QoL in postmenopausal women . Objective The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship between the dimensions of health-related fitness and QoL in elderly women . Methods A cohort of 408 postmenopausal women in a rural area of Taiwan was prospect ively collected . Dimensions of health-related fitness , consisting of muscular strength , balance , cardiorespiratory endurance , flexibility , muscle endurance , and agility , were assessed .  QoL  was determined using the Short Form Health Survey ( SF-36 ) . Differences between age groups ( stratified by decades ) were calculated using a one-way analysis of variance ( ANOVA ) and multiple comparisons using a Scheffé test . A Spearman ’s correlation analysis was performed to examine differences between QoL and each dimension of fitness . Multiple linear regression with forced-entry procedure was performed to evaluate the effects of health-related fitness . A P-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant . Results Age-related decreases in health-related fitness were shown for sit-ups , back strength , grip strength , side steps , trunk extension , and agility ( P<0.05 ) . An age-related decrease in QoL , specifically in physical functioning , role limitation due to physical problems , and physical component score , was also demonstrated ( P<0.05 ) . Multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that back strength significantly contributed to the physical component of QoL ( adjusted beta of 0.268 [ P<0.05 ] ) . Conclusion Back strength was positively correlated with the physical component of QoL among the examined dimensions of health-related fitness . Health-related fitness , as well as the physical component of QoL , declined with increasing age PURPOSE The aim of the study was to investigate the  tracking of physical activity ( PA )  from preschool age to adulthood in six age cohorts of males and females . METHODS A r and om sample of 3596 boys and girls age 3 - 18 yr participated in the Cardiovascular Risks in Young Finns Study in 1980 . The follow-up measurements were repeated in 1986 , 1992 , 2001 , and 2007 . The  PA  was measured by mother 's report in 3- and 6-yr-olds and self-report in 9-yr-olds and older .  Tracking of PA  was analyzed using the Spearman rank-order correlation and a simplex model . RESULTS Mother-reported PA at age 3 and 6 yr significantly predicted self-reported PA in youth and in young adulthood , and there was a significant indirect effect of mother report on adult PA 2007 in males . Simplex models that fitted the data very well produced higher stability coefficients than the Spearman rank-order correlations showing moderate or high tracking . The tracking was higher in males than that in females . CONCLUSION This study has shown that physically active lifestyle starts to develop very early in childhood and that the stability of PA is moderate or high along the life course from youth to adulthood
Conclusion A prospect i ve negative association was observed between muscular fitness in childhood/adolescence and adiposity and cardiometabolic parameters in later life , together with a positive association for bone health .
There is inconclusive evidence for low back pain benefits
Background No previous systematic review has quantitatively examined the association between muscular fitness during childhood and adolescence and health parameters later in life .
Objective The aim was to systematic ally review and meta-analyze the current evidence for a prospect i ve association between muscular fitness in childhood and adolescence and future health status .