Correlates of aerobic fitness in urban and rural Portuguese adolescents

Reference:

Machado-Rodrigues, A. M., Coelho-e-Silva, M. J., Mota, J., Cumming, S. P., Riddoch, C. and Malina, R. M., 2011. Correlates of aerobic fitness in urban and rural Portuguese adolescents. Annals of Human Biology, 38 (4), pp. 479-484.

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Official URL:

http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/03014460.2011.554865

Abstract

Background: Improving physical fitness is often an objective of programmes aimed at preventing obesity among youth. Aim: To evaluate the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and area of residence controlling for several correlates in adolescents. Subjects and methods: CRF was assessed with the progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run (PACER) test in a cross-sectional sample of 362 Portuguese adolescents (165 males, 197 females) of 13-16 years of age. Youth were classified by area of residence as urban or rural. Gender, age, weight status, parental education, screen time (inactivity) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were statistically controlled. Logistic regression analysis was used. Results: Adolescents of both sexes from rural settings were 76% more likely to be classified as aerobically fit compared to those from urban areas. The odds ratio for CRF in the final model was similar in boys (OR = 0.24, 95% CI 0.06-0.99, p < 0.05) and girls (OR = 0.24, 95% CI 0.07-0.76, p < 0.05). MVPA and weight status were important predictors of CRF in Portuguese adolescents of 13-16 years of age. Maternal education was an additional predictor in girls. Conclusion: CRF and rural / urban settings were significantly related in this sample of Portuguese adolescents of both sexes.

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