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3rd, 50th, and 97th percentiles of height (top-A), weight (middle-B), and Body Mass Index (BMI) (bottom-C) distribution for Italian male athletes (left) and female athletes (right).
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Overweight during youth is a large-scale public health issue. Engaging in regular physical activity generally reduces weight status. The hypothesis of the study is that organized sport plays an active role in maintaining a correct body weight during youth. The purpose of this study is to trace growth charts by height, weight, and body mass index (B...
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The use of correct growth chart at birth is crucial to identify small-for-gestational age (SGA) neonates since the burden of SGA is an indicator of national health status and hence has programmatic implications. With multitude of charts available globally and in context of recent introduction of newer standard charts (Intergrowth-21st), it is impor...
Citations
... Therefore, everyone who is committed to their PL journey is a motivated, confident, and skilful individual who engages in regular physical activity (PA) throughout their life. The benefits of regular participation in PA appear early in life and are associated with an increase in overall physical fitness; reduction in adipose tissue; attenuation in symptoms of depression and anxiety; enhancement of growth, development, thinking, and learning; as well as a reduction in the appearance of diseases and bad habits later in life [2][3][4][5][6][7]. Concurrently, recent studies have demonstrated a positive association between PL and health indicators such as aerobic fitness in school-aged children [8]. ...
This pilot study aimed primarily to investigate the association between perceived physical literacy (PL) and participation in organised sports and self-organised physical activity (PA) in female youth athletes and non-athletes. A secondary purpose was to investigate the association between perceived PL and physical fitness among female youth athletes. A convenient sample of 18 female youth soccer athletes (age: 14.56 ± 1.42 years) and 18 female youth non-athletes (age: 14.22 ± 1.22) underwent anthropometric measurements and responded to PL and PA questionnaires. The athletes completed physical fitness tests (e.g., cardiopulmonary, isokinetic, handgrip, and jump tests). The results indicated that the female athletes presented significantly higher scores for perceived PL and self-organised PA compared to the non-athletes. The PL components 'sense of self and self-confidence' and 'knowledge and understanding' were significantly associated with self-organised PA in both the athletes and the non-athletes, as well as with organised sports. An association was found between the total PL score for the athletes and the squat jump (r = 0.50), flexibility (r = 0.59), and left hamstring (r = 0.51) physical tests. The positive association between the self-perceived PL of female youth and their involvement in both organised sports and self-organised PA may help them fulfilL their potential and also value and take responsibility for getting involved in PA for life.
... This data is in line with the recent Italian data collected by the Okkio alla Salute Tuscany region surveillance system (2019) hat reported a 20.4% of overweight children and 9.4% obese children [22]. Lower percentages are achieved in the sample of athletes [23]. To our knowledge, the relationship between BMI and empathy has never been investigated in a sample of primary school children. ...
Purpose. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between physical activity (PA) and the development of relational empathy skills in children, taking into account weight status.
Methods. Parents/guardians of primary school children were involved in filling out a questionnaire: the Empathy Questionnaire (EmQue-I13) and children were asked to complete the PAQ-C to investigate the self-reported PA levels. The weight status was assessed using a self-reported Body Mass Index (BMI).
Results. 370 parents or guardians of students who attended primary school (8.53±1.61 yrs) were recruited. The total score was 2.41±0.89 for PAQ-C and 41.17±6.32 for EmQue-I13. The three domains of EmQue-I13 were: Contagion (8.16±2.67), Attention to Others’ Feelings (19.40±2.99) and Prosocial actions (13.62±3.01). Linear regression models showed that a higher PAQ-C score was positively associated with empathy-related total score p <0.001. Weight status, age and gender were not associated with EmQue-I13.
Conclusion. Our results underline the positive association between physical activity and the development of relational empathic skills.
... This study analyzed the performance of 1915 subjects aged 14-15 years to generate, for the first time, sex-and age-specific normative values for physical fitness for Florentine adolescents. These normative values are added to the existing standards for the Florentine youth population on other cardiovascular risk factors related to physical exertion [19][20][21], adiposity [22], body mass index [23], eating habits [24], and lifestyle [25,26]. Although these fitness percentiles are not directly linked to the health status of the youth population, they help to monitor the phases of health surveillance. ...
Physical fitness during youth is linked to the health of today’s young people and future adults. Therefore, fitness evaluation can direct any physical exercise interventions and verify improvements. The study aims to provide normative values of the physical fitness of the Florentine adolescent population. This cross-sectional study enrolled 1915 subjects aged 14 and 15 from the first and second high school classes. Tests were performed to assess cardiovascular endurance, upper and lower limb strength, running speed and agility, and lower limb muscle flexibility. Sex and age-related percentiles were elaborated. The study included 1028 subjects in the first class (aged 14.3 ± 0.8 years; 54.5% females) and 887 in the second class (aged 15.3 ± 0.7 years; 53.4% females). Males showed higher values than females except for flexibility. Furthermore, both genders show increased results in transitioning from the first to the second class, except for muscle flexibility and running speed. The percentiles of the present study provide normative values of the physical fitness of the 14–15-year-old Florentine adolescent population. These results, characterized by a sociocultural specificity linked to the territory from which they were collected, can contribute to the assessment and improvement of the physical status of young people, promoting current and future health.
... Studies by other authors confirmed that school-age boys are more involved in sport activities and games than girls, which can also have an influence on the average higher BMI in girls [53]. Moreover, the differences between the genders and the adolescence period have a clear impact on the intensity and regularity of participation in sport activities [54][55][56]. Studies by other authors confirmed that girls are, on average, less physically active than boys [57,58]. ...
... In general, the study demonstrated a constant increase in the number of overweight children in the classes of standard PA (GC) and a decrease in the classes of elevated PA (SC). In the study by Mascherini et al. (2019) overweight was observed in 22.1% of the subjects and obesity in 2.6% [56]. Other studies demonstrated a higher prevalence of overweight in girls than in boys [59,60]. ...
... In general, the study demonstrated a constant increase in the number of overweight children in the classes of standard PA (GC) and a decrease in the classes of elevated PA (SC). In the study by Mascherini et al. (2019) overweight was observed in 22.1% of the subjects and obesity in 2.6% [56]. Other studies demonstrated a higher prevalence of overweight in girls than in boys [59,60]. ...
(1) Background: Children’s overweight and obesity are a growing public health problem. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of physical activity (PA) at school on body mass of children aged 10–12 during 2 years of observation. (2) Methods: Primary school children (n = 245, 48% girls and 52% boys) took part in the study. Children were divided in two groups, (1) of standard PA and (2) of elevated PA at school corresponding to 4 and 10 h of physical education lessons (PE) a week, respectively. Weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were measured starting from the 4th grade and ending at the 6th grade of school. (3) Results: The number of children with excessive body weight (overweight and obese) increased by ¼ in children of standard PA while slightly decreased in children of elevated PA. Many more children of elevated PA changed body mass category from overweight to healthy weight than those of standard PA. Girls, especially of standard PA, had more often excessive body weight compared to boys. (4) Conclusions: Increasing time of physical activity at school by elevation of the number of PE lessons favorably affects the body mass of children.
... Pivot's athletes have a higher protein and lipid intake compared to other positions. According to our results, average body weight, height, and BMI of all athletes in the current study were normal or healthy weight but were higher than standard values for young athletes (Collaboration, 2017;Mascherini, Galanti, Massetti, Cala, & Modesti, 2019), and according to global age-standardised mean BMI of children and adolescents aged 5-19 years in 2016 was 18.6 kg/m 2 for females and 18.5 kg/m 2 for males (Collaboration, 2017). And consistent with physiological, there are differences between the sexes, since men are, in general, taller, heavier, have larger muscle mass, and are stronger than women (Michalsik & Aagaard, 2015). ...
The aim of this study was to analyse dietary intake (macronutrients and micronutrients) in young female and male handball athletes. A transversal study was performed with young handball players from sub 16 and 18 Portuguese Handball Federation, who volunteered to participate in this study. Anthropometric (weight and height measure), nutritional intake (using food frequency questionnaire) and position in the game were evaluated. The final sample comprised 64 athletes (48.4% female and 51.6% male). The mean age was 16± 1 years, average body mass index was higher in females (24.1± 3.5kg/m2) than males (23.8± 3.0 kg/m2). Mean energy intake per day was significantly lower in females than males 2167.4± 1185.0 and 2952.9± 1315.8 kcal/day (p= 0.015, 95CI), respectively. According to the recommendations from food, most of the young handball athletes reported a generally higher dietary intake (protein intake was near to the upper recommendation limit; the carbohydrate intake was below and the fat intake higher) and a lower for some micronutrients. A process to identify the athletes that need nutritional support should be considered by handball coaches to optimise their performance and safeguard their health.
... Young people who engage in competitive sports have improvements in physical performance and a better cardiovascular response to effort than non-sports peers [18]. While sports appear to play a role in reducing the prevalence of youth obesity [19], it is unclear whether it also has a protective role for cardiovascular parameters related to physical exertion. ...
Excess weight leads to an impaired cardiovascular response to physical exertion even at a young age. Sports training during youth promotes cardiovascular adaptations. The aim of the study is to verify the impact of weight status on cardiovascular parameters related to physical effort in young people who engage in competitive sports. A retrospective study was conducted on 8307 young athletes (5578 males and 2729 females) aged 6-18 years (mean age 13.9 ± 2.2 years). The data concerning graded exercise tests of young athletes in normal weight and overweight were compared. Approximately, 13.4% of the sample had excess weight. Young overweight athletes show a higher resting heart rate as well as systolic and diastolic pressure than young normal weight athletes. Excess weight condition leads to a reduction in the duration of the graded exercise test, reaching higher blood pressure values at the end of the test compared to those with normal weight. After four min from the end of the test, heart rate and systolic/diastolic blood pressure remained higher in the young overweight athletes. Excess weight affects cardiovascular parameters both at rest and in response to physical exertion during youth; however, competitive sport seems to be able to keep these parameters within the normal range even in young overweight athletes.
Objectives
Assessing the systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure during acute physical exertion can allow the discovery of many cardiovascular diseases even at a young age. However, this response depends on the age, sex of the subject, and the modality of the graded exercise test. This study aims to provide sex-and age-related normative values of peak and recovery blood pressure performance and to develop a predicted model of SBP and DBP peak in young athletes.
Design
Retrospective study.
Methods
We analyzed 8224 young athletes (5516 males and 2708 females) aged between 8 and 18 who underwent pre-participation screening to obtain eligibility for competitive sport. Anthropometric and blood pressure parameters related to the effort are reported. Then, according to sex, graded exercise test modality, and age were calculated 1) the fifth, tenth, fiftieth, ninetieth, and ninety-fifth percentiles for the SBP and DBP at peak and after one minute of recovery; 2) predictive equations of SPB and DBP at the peak.
Results
Younger athletes show lower peak blood pressure values, gradually increasing as they age. Males showed higher peak SBP values starting at 12–13 years on the cycle ergometer and 10–11 years on the treadmill, while there was no difference in peak DBP values.
Conclusions
Sex, age, and the specificity of the movement performed must be considered in assessing the blood pressure response in the young population. In addition, providing reference values and predictive equations of BP response to acute physical exertion may allow for a better functional assessment of young athletes.
The assessment of the chronotropic response during acute physical exertion can allow the discovery of many cardiovascular diseases even at a young age. However, the increase in heart rate (HR) depends on the age and sex of the subject and the modality of the graded exercise test. This study aims to provide sex‐ and age‐related normative values for heart rate performance in young athletes aged 10–18. A retrospective study was carried out on 7896 young athletes (5356 males and 2540 females) aged between 10 and 18 who underwent pre‐participation screening to obtain eligibility for competitive sport. First, anthropometric parameters, performance data, and HR are reported. Thus, each age calculated third, tenth, twenty‐fifth, fiftieth, seventy‐fifth, ninetieth, and ninety‐seventh percentiles for the stage‐by‐stage HR response, according to sex and graded exercise test modality category. Young female athletes of all ages showed lower performance with fewer stages performed on the cycle ergometer and the treadmill. Young male athletes on treadmill and cycle ergometers show lower HR values at submaximal intensities. The treadmill allows a longer duration than the cycle ergometer for males and females. Sex, age, and the specificity of the movement performed must be considered in assessing the chronotropic response in the young population, particularly for those who carry out a training program. In addition, providing reference values of HR response to acute physical exertion may allow for a better functional assessment of the young athletes.
