Determinant factors of cardiorespiratory fitness in Portuguese adolescents of different ethnicities.

Authors

  • Diana Aguiar Santos Exercise and Health Laboratory- Faculty of Human Kinetics, Technical University of Lisbon, Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal
  • Analiza Mónica Silva Exercise and Health Laboratory- Faculty of Human Kinetics, Technical University of Lisbon, Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal
  • Helena Santa-Clara Exercise and Health Laboratory- Faculty of Human Kinetics, Technical University of Lisbon, Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal
  • Catarina Nunes Matias Exercise and Health Laboratory- Faculty of Human Kinetics, Technical University of Lisbon, Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal
  • David A Fields Department of Pediatrics - Children’s Hospital Foundation, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma, USA
  • Luís Bettencourt Sardinha Exercise and Health Laboratory- Faculty of Human Kinetics, Technical University of Lisbon, Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-0037.2011v13n4p243

Abstract

Cardiorespiratory fitness is an important health indicator in young people. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of age, gender, body adiposity, and ethnicity on cardiorespiratory fitness in a sample of Portuguese adolescents. The sample consisted of 266 adolescents aged 12-18 years [112 boys (80 Caucasians and 32 African-Portuguese, AP) and 154 girls (109 Caucasians and 45 AP)]. Percent body fat was estimated with a hand-to-hand bioelectrical impedance device (BF300, OMROM). Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by a shuttle run test (Fitnessgram battery). Multiple regression models were used for statistical analysis. The results showed that girls presented lower maximal oxygen consumption and higher percent body fat than boys. Cardiorespiratory fitness was lower in Caucasian than in AP girls. Multiple regression analysis showed that percent body fat, age and the interaction of age with being Caucasian and age with female gender were significant determinants that were negatively associated with cardiorespiratory fitness. The results suggest that maximal oxygen consumption is lower in adolescents with higher adiposity and in older adolescents. The findings highlight the importance of promoting physical fitness in schools across ages, especially in older adolescents, adjusting for determinant factors such as gender and ethnicity

Author Biographies

Diana Aguiar Santos, Exercise and Health Laboratory- Faculty of Human Kinetics, Technical University of Lisbon, Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal

Analiza Mónica Silva, Exercise and Health Laboratory- Faculty of Human Kinetics, Technical University of Lisbon, Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal

Helena Santa-Clara, Exercise and Health Laboratory- Faculty of Human Kinetics, Technical University of Lisbon, Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal

Catarina Nunes Matias, Exercise and Health Laboratory- Faculty of Human Kinetics, Technical University of Lisbon, Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal

David A Fields, Department of Pediatrics - Children’s Hospital Foundation, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma, USA

Luís Bettencourt Sardinha, Exercise and Health Laboratory- Faculty of Human Kinetics, Technical University of Lisbon, Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal

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Published

2011-06-08

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Section

Original Articles