european college of sport science

Thursday, June 25th, 2009
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Katzmarzyk PT, Perusse L, Malina RM, Bergeron J, Després JP, Bouchard C (2001). J Clin Epidemiol, 54, 190-195.
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BIO-PSYCHO-SOCIAL CORRELATES OF PHYSICAL FITNESS IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE
WAGNER, M.O., JEKAUC, D., SCHOTT, N., WORTH, A., BÖS, K.
1. UNIVERSITY OF KARLSRUHE, 2. UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION SCHWÄBISCH GMÜND, 3. UNIVERSITY OF KONSTANZ, 4. LIVERPOOL HOPE
UNIVERSITY
Introduction: Although children and youth currently form the most active segments of the population in the westernized world, there is a
marked trend towards an increase in sedentary lifestyle and a decrease in physical fitness among school-age children. In order to counteract
the suspected degradation, potential determinants must be known. Previous studies are based on non-representative samples
mostly and are only conditionally comparable. Therefore, reliable findings on the determinants of physical fitness are not available. The
purpose of the study is the identification of correlates of physical fitness in childhood and adolescence. It is assumed that physical fitness
is associated with intrapersonal, behavioural and ecological factors.
Method: Data were obtained from the “Luxembourg project”, a representative sample of the 9, 14- and 18-year-old boys and girls from
Luxembourg (N = 1188). Physical fitness was measured on the basis of ten motor description categories such as aerobic endurance and
flexibility by using a standardised test profile. Intrapersonal (e.g. BMI, sports interest), behavioural (e.g. extent of physical activity; p.a.) and
ecological (e.g. peer-group behaviour, socio-economic status; ses) factors were assessed by using a standardised questionnaire (cf. Bös
et al., 2006).
Results: Ten multiple regression equations with sequential entry of the model levels help to confirm the suspected relation for eight out of
ten motor description categories. Percentage of declared total variance is between 8.0% (fine motor abilities on precision tasks; F=5.19;
p=.000; adjusted R²=.080) and 58.1% (speed of force development in lower extremities; F=67.70; p=.000; adjusted R²=.581). The identified
effects and their directions can be clarified by the example of gross motor abilities under time pressure (F=35.98; p=.000; adjusted
R²=.241). The performance in jumping sideways rises with increasing age (Beta=.64; T=17.52; p=.000), sports interest (Beta=.12; T=4.19;
p=.000) and ses (Beta=.10; T=3.51; p=.000) as well as under the influence of an increased extent of p.a. in sports club (Beta=.15; T=5,10;
p=.000), whereas lower performances become obvious with increasing BMI (Beta=-.12; T=-3.95; p=.000).
Perspectives
The results delimit the spectrum of potential correlates of physical fitness. However, the related design does not permit any causal conclusions.
To receive reliable statements about the determinants of motor development in childhood and adolescence, the individuals
included here will be examined prospectively in the context of a longitudinal section study.
References
Bös, K., Brochmann, C., Eschette, H., Lämmle, L., Lanners, M., Oberger, J., Opper, E., Romahn, N., Schorn, A., Wagener, Y., Wagner, M. &
Worth, A. (2006). Health, physical fitness and physical activity of children and adolescence in Luxembourg [Gesundheit, motorische Leistungsfähigkeit
und körperlich-sportliche Aktivität von Kindern und Jugendlichen in Luxemburg]. Luxembourg: MENFP.
EFFECT OF RAMADAN FASTING ON PLASMA LEPTIN AND ADIPONECTIN CONCENTRATIONS AND BODY COMPOSI-
TION IN TRAINED YOUNG MEN
BOUHLEL, E., DENGUEZLI, M., ZAOUALI, M., TABKA, Z., SHEPHARD, R.J.
FACULTY OF MEDICINE OF SOUSSE, TUNISIA
Purpose: To evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on parameters of insulin resistance in trained athletes at rest and after aerobic exercise.
Methods: Nine male rugby players (age 19 ± 2 yr, height 1.78 ± 0.74 m) were tested three times: one week before observance of
Ramadan (C), at the end of the first week (R1), and during the fourth week (R2). They performed a progressive cycle ergometer test at each
visit. Data collected at rest and at the end of aerobic exercise included simple anthropometry (body mass, BMI, body fat, fat free mass),
biochemical parameters (serum glucose, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, and serum proteins) and selected hormone
concentrations (plasma insulin, leptin and adiponectin) Results: Ramadan fasting was associated with a reduction of body mass
and body fat (R2 vs. C, p