Open Access
Effects of exercise intervention on health-related physical fitness and blood pressure in preschool children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
(Springer, 2020) García Hermoso, Antonio; Alonso Martínez, Alicia; Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: No previous systematic review has quantitatively examined the effect of physical exercise interventions on health-related physical fitness and blood pressure in children younger than 6 years old. Objective: To evaluate the effects of exercise interventions on health-related physical fitness (i.e., physical fitness components and body composition) and blood pressure in preschoolers. Methods: We searched four databases. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs), evaluating the effectiveness of exercise intervention on weight-related outcomes, blood pressure, and physical fitness components in preschoolers (1–5.99 years old) were included. The effect sizes were reported as Hedges’ g using random-effects models. Results: A total of 19 RCTs were included. Exercise interventions favored reductions in body mass index (g = − 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], − 0.31 to − 0.03), waist circumference (g = − 0.25; 95% CI − 0.47 to − 0.03), and body fat percentage (g = − 0.31; 95% CI − 0.60 to − 0.23); as well as improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness (g = 0.25; 95% CI 0.08–0.42), muscular strength (g = 0.25; 95% CI 0.09–0.40), and speed–agility (g = − 0.51; 95% CI − 0.78 to − 0.24). Blood pressure was not reduced. The subgroup analysis revealed that physical exercise alone favored larger reductions in body mass index and waist circumference compared with physical exercise combined with another intervention. Also, changes in cardiorespiratory fitness, lower-body muscular strength and speed–agility were associated with larger decreases in body composition. Conclusion: Physical exercise whether combined or not with additional intervention has a small effect on both body weight and physical fitness in preschoolers. Also, it seems that interventions to prevent obesity should be directed towards improving physical fitness of preschoolers.
Open Access
Top 10 international priorities for physical fitness research and surveillance among children and adolescents: a twin-panel Delphi study
(Springer, 2022) Lang, Justin J.; Zhang, Kai; Agostinis-Sobrinho, César; Andersen, Lars Bo; Basterfield, Laura; Berglind, Daniel; Blain, Dylan O.; Cadenas-Sánchez, Cristina; Cameron, Christine; Carson, Valerie; Colley, Rachel C.; Csányi, Tamás; Faigenbaum, Avery D.; García Hermoso, Antonio; Queiroz Ferreira Gomes, Thayse Natacha; Gribbon, Aidan; Janssen, Ian; Jurak, Gregor; Kaj, Mónika; Kidokoro, Tetsuhiro; Lane, Kirstin N.; Liu, Yang; Löf, Marie; Lubans, David R.; Magnussen, Costan G.; Manyanga, Taru; McGrath, Ryan; Mota, Jorge; Olds, Tim; Onywera, Vincent O.; Ortega, Francisco B.; Oyeyemi, Adewale L.; Prince, Stephanie A.; Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Roberts, Karen C.; Rubín, Lukáš; Servais, Jennifer; Silva, Diego Augusto Santos; Silva, Danilo R.; Smith, Jordan J.; Song, Yi; Stratton, Gareth; Timmons, Brian W.; Tomkinson, Grant R.; Tremblay, Mark S.; Wong, Stephen H. S.; Fraser, Brooklyn J.; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background The measurement of physical ftness has a history that dates back nearly 200 years. Recently, there has been an increase in international research and surveillance on physical ftness creating a need for setting international priorities that could help guide future eforts. Objective This study aimed to produce a list of the top 10 international priorities for research and surveillance on physical ftness among children and adolescents. Methods Using a twin-panel Delphi method, two independent panels consisting of 46 international experts were identifed (panel 1=28, panel 2=18). The panel participants were asked to list up to fve priorities for research or surveillance (round 1), and then rated the items from their own panel on a 5-point Likert scale of importance (round 2). In round 3, experts were asked to rate the priorities identifed by the other panel. Results There was strong between-panel agreement (panel 1: rs=0.76, p<0.01; panel 2: rs=0.77, p<0.01) in the priorities identifed. The list of the fnal top 10 priorities included (i) “conduct longitudinal studies to assess changes in ftness and associations with health”. This was followed by (ii) “use ftness surveillance to inform decision making”, and (iii) “implement regular and consistent international/national ftness surveys using common measures”. Conclusions The priorities identifed in this study provide guidance for future international collaborations and research eforts on the physical ftness of children and adolescents over the next decade and beyond.
Open Access
Cardiorespiratory fitness cut-points are related to body adiposity parameters in Latin American adolescents
(MDPI, 2019) Prieto Benavides, Daniel Humberto; García Hermoso, Antonio; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Alonso Martínez, Alicia; Agostinis-Sobrinho, César; Correa Bautista, Jorge Enrique; Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background and Objectives: A deficiency exists in the criterion-referenced cut-points for field-based cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in Latin American youths. The aims of the present study were two-fold: (1) To identify the ability of CRF estimated by the 20-m shuttle-run test (20mSRT) to differentiate between 'healthy' and 'unhealthy' phenotypes (by adiposity) in adolescents; (2) to assess the association between obesity and relative peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) in a large and diverse sample of Latin American youths. In total, 72,505 adolescents aged between 13 and 15 years were recruited from Chile and Colombia (47.5% girls). Materials and Methods: The waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were used to identify body adiposity markers. CRF was measured using the 20mSRT (VO2peak). Receiver operating characteristic curves and logistic regression were used to determine the discriminatory ability of CRF to predict body adiposity parameters. Results: For boys and girls, VO2peak showed a significant predictive capacity to detect body fat (area under the curve [AUC] > 0.62). The sensitivity of VO2peak was medium (>63%) for all age- and sex-specific cut-points, with optimal cut-points in 13- to 15-year olds for obesity identified as 43.77 mL·kg-1·min-1 and 38.53 mL·kg-1·min-1 in boys and girls, respectively. Conclusions: According to these cut-points, adolescents with low CRF were more likely to be obese either by WC or WHtR. The CRF cut-points can be used as quantitative markers for a healthier body in Latin American adolescents.
Open Access
Normative reference values for the 20 m shuttle-run test in a population-based sample of school-aged youth in Bogota, Colombia: the FUPRECOL study
(Wiley, 2017) Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Palacios López, Adalberto; Prieto Benavides, Daniel Humberto; Correa Bautista, Jorge Enrique; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Alonso Martínez, Alicia; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Objectives: Our aim was to determine the normative reference values of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and to establish the proportion of subjects with low CRF suggestive of future cardio‐metabolic risk. Methods: A total of 7244 children and adolescents attending public schools in Bogota, Colombia (55.7% girls; age range of 9–17.9 years) participated in this study. We expressed CRF performance as the nearest stage (minute) completed and the estimated peak oxygen consumption (V˙O2peak). Smoothed percentile curves were calculated. In addition, we present the prevalence of low CRF after applying a correction factor to account for the impact of Bogota's altitude (2625 m over sea level) on CRF assessment, and we calculated the number of participants who fell below health‐related FITNESSGRAM cut‐points for low CRF. Results: Shuttles and V˙O2peak were higher in boys than in girls in all age groups. In boys, there were higher levels of performance with increasing age, with most gains between the ages of 13 and 17. The proportion of subjects with a low CRF, suggestive of future cardio‐metabolic risk (health risk FITNESSGRAM category) was 31.5% (28.2% for boys and 34.1% for girls; X2 P = .001). After applying a 1.11 altitude correction factor, the overall prevalence of low CRF was 11.5% (9.6% for boys and 13.1% for girls; X2 P = .001).
Open Access
Construct validity and test-retest reliability of the International Fitness Scale (IFIS) in Colombian children and adolescents aged 9-17.9 years: the FUPRECOL study
(PeerJ, 2017) Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Cruz Salazar, Sandra Milena; Martínez, Myriam; Lusa Cadore, Eduardo; Alonso Martínez, Alicia; Correa Bautista, Jorge Enrique; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Ortega, Francisco B.; García Hermoso, Antonio; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: there is a lack of instruments and studies written in Spanish evaluating physical fitness, impeding the determination of the current status of this important health indicator in the Latin population, especially in Colombia. The aim of the study was two-fold: to examine the validity of the International Fitness Scale (IFIS) with a population-based sample of schoolchildren from Bogota, Colombia and to examine the reliability of the IFIS with children and adolescents from Engativa, Colombia. Methods: the sample comprised 1,873 Colombian youths (54.5% girls) aged 9–17.9 years. We measured their adiposity markers (waist-to-height ratio, skinfold thickness, percentage of body fat and body mass index), blood pressure, lipids profile, fasting glucose, and physical fitness level (self-reported and measured). A validated cardiometabolic risk index score was also used. An age- and sex-matched subsample of 229 schoolchildren who were not originally included in the sample completed the IFIS twice for reliability purposes. Results: our data suggest that both measured and self-reported overall physical fitness levels were inversely associated with percentage of body fat indicators and the cardiometabolic risk index score. Overall, schoolchildren who self-reported “good” or “very good” fitness had better measured fitness levels than those who reported “very poor/poor” fitness (all p < 0.001). The test-retest reliability of the IFIS items was also good, with an average weighted kappa of 0.811. Discussion: our findings suggest that self-reported fitness, as assessed by the IFIS, is a valid, reliable, and health-related measure. Furthermore, it can be a good alternative for future use in large studies with Latin schoolchildren from Colombia.
Open Access
Schoolbag weight carriage in Portuguese children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study comparing possible influencing factors
(BMC, 2019) Barbosa, João; Marqués, Mário C.; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Neiva, Henrique P.; Barbosa, Tiago M.; Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Alonso Martínez, Alicia; García Hermoso, Antonio; Aguado Jiménez, Roberto; Marinho, Daniel; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background Schoolbags and the consequences of carrying them, particularly those associated with overload, are often studied as a health concern. Modifications in gait and posture were reported when children carried loads that corresponded to more than 10% of their body weight (BW). The aims of this study were to verify the load that is carried by Portuguese students and how it is influenced by factors such as school grade, school schedule, lunch site, physical education, sex and body mass index (BMI). Acquiring a more specific knowledge of the Portuguese context and understanding the influence of these factors may allow us to generate proposals to control them in ways that benefit students.MethodsThe load carried by students in the 5th grade (10.60.4years) and 9th grade (14.70.6years) were weighed with a luggage scale on all days of the week, resulting in 680 evaluations. Data related to the school day were also collected, such as the student's lunch site, how he or she got to school and his or her school schedule for that day. Individual height and weight were also assessed. Results The 5th grade students carried greater loads than the 9th grade students, resulting in a substantial difference relative to their BW. The school loads of the 5th grade students were mostly greater than 10% of their BWs. Girls tended to carry heavier loads than boys, and overweight students also tended to carry heavier loads. Students who could eat lunch at home carried less weight, and on physical education days, the total load carried increased, but the backpacks of the 5th grade students were lighter.Conclusions The results of the current study describe excessive schoolbag weight among Portuguese students and expound on some of the factors that influence it, which can help researchers and professionals design a solution to decrease children's schoolbag loads.
Open Access
Etapas de cambio comportamental frente al consumo de sustancias psicoactivas en escolares de 9 a 17 años de Bogotá D.C., Colombia
(Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 2019) Núñez, Óscar; Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Correa Bautista, Jorge Enrique; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Introducción. El consumo de sustancias psicoactivas (SPA) es una problemática que afecta a estudiantes desde edades tempranas. Objetivo. Describir las etapas de cambio de comportamiento frente al consumo de SPA en escolares de Bogotá D.C., Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal en 6 965 escolares de Bogotá D.C. El cambio de comportamiento se evaluó por autoreporte a través de un cuestionario estructurado a partir del Modelo Transteórico en las etapas de precontemplación, contemplación, preparación y acción/mantenimiento. Resultados. 58.4% fueron mujeres con edad promedio de 12.7±2.3 años. Frente al consumo de drogas alucinógenas, 6% de los escolares se ubicaron en la categoría de precontemplación, 44% en contemplación, 30% en preparación y 20% en acción/mantenimiento. Respecto al consumo de alcohol, 5% se encontraban en precontemplación, 36% en contemplación, 12% en preparación y 46% en acción/mantenimiento. El tabaquismo mostró prevalencias de 4% para precontemplación, 33% para contemplación, 12% para preparación y 51% para acción/mantenimiento. Conclusiones. El consumo de SPA es una problemática que se presenta cada vez con mayor frecuencia en población escolar. La mayoría de entrevistados se ubican en etapa de mantenimiento en el consumo de tabaco y alcohol y en la etapa de contemplación de consumo de drogas alucinógenas. Se requieren esfuerzos gubernamentales que fomenten programas preventivos de consumo de SPA en el ámbito escolar.
Open Access
Associations between basic motor competencies and physical fitness in Spanish pre-schoolers: a cross-sectional study
(BMC, 2023) Legarra Gorgoñón, Gaizka; García Alonso, Yesenia; Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Erice Echegaray, Blanca; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Alonso Martínez, Alicia; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
Background: Basic motor competencies (BMC) play a vital role in child development and are a primary focus of physical education. However, there is a lack of research on BMC in preschool-aged children, making this study particularly significant. The present study aims to examine the relationship between BMC and physical fitness components in Spanish preschool children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 101 children (n = 52 boys, average age of 4.80 years) living in Pamplona, North Spain. Components of physical fitness (handgrip strength, standing long jump, speed-agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness) were assessed using the PREFIT Battery. Overall physical fitness was computed from the four selected fitness components separately for boys and girls. Higher z-scores values in physical fitness indicate better fitness performance. To assess BMC, the MOBAK KG test battery was applied (subscales of object control and self-movement). Sex, age, and body mass index were used as main confounders. Results: After adjustment for confounding factors, the BMC was positively associated with single (z-scores) components and overall physical fitness sum of z-scores (R 2 from 0.178 to 0.469, all P-values < 0.05). Additional percentile scores weakened the associations, but they still remained significant (R 2 from 0.146 to 0.337, all P-values < 0.05). Compared with participants in the lowest tertile, those in the highest tertile of the MOBAK KG sum score, and in both object movement and self-movement test subscales had significantly higher scores in single fitness component (z-scores or percentile) and overall physical fitness sum of z-scores (all P for trend < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results revealed that higher BMC is associated with better physical fitness in Spanish preschool children. The findings emphasize the crucial role that basic motor competence plays in promoting physical activity in preschool children.
Open Access
Tri-ponderal mass index vs. fat mass/height3 as a screening tool for metabolic syndrome prediction in Colombian children and young people
(MDPI, 2018) Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Correa Bautista, Jorge Enrique; Carrillo Arango, Hugo Alejandro; González Jiménez, Emilio; Schmidt Río-Valle, Jacqueline; Correa Rodríguez, María; García Hermoso, Antonio; González Ruiz, Katherine; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) and fat mass index (FMI) have been proposed as alternative approaches for assessing body fat since BMI does not ensure an accurate screening for obesity and overweight status in children and adolescents. This study proposes thresholds of the TMI and FMI for the prediction of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children and young people. For this purpose, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 4673 participants (57.1% females), who were 9-25 years of age. As part of the study, measurements of the subjects¿ weight, waist circumference, serum lipid indices, blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose were taken. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). The TMI and FMI were calculated as weight (kg)/height (m3) and fat mass (kg)/height (m3), respectively. Following the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition, MetS is defined as including three or more metabolic abnormalities. Cohort-specific thresholds were established to identify Colombian children and young people at high risk of MetS. The thresholds were applied to the following groups: (i) a cohort of children where the girls' TMI 12.13 kg/m3 and the boys' TMI 12.10 kg/m3; (ii) a cohort of adolescents where the girls' TMI 12.48 kg/m3 and the boys' TMI 11.19 kg/m3; (iii) a cohort of young adults where the women's TMI 13.21 kg/m3 and the men's TMI 12.19 kg/m3. The FMI reference cut-off values used for the different groups were as follows: (i) a cohort of children where the girls¿ FMI 2.59 fat mass/m3 and the boys' FMI 1.98 fat mass/m3; (ii) a cohort of adolescents where the girls' FMI 3.12 fat mass/m3 and the boys' FMI 1.46 fat mass/m3; (iii) a cohort of adults where the women's FMI 3.27 kg/m3 and the men's FMI 1.65 kg/m3. Our results showed that the FMI and TMI had a moderate discriminatory power to detect MetS in Colombian children, adolescents, and young adults.
Open Access
Interventions based on mind–body therapies for the improvement of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in youth: a systematic review
(MDPI, 2019) Barranco Ruiz, Yaira; Esturo Etxabe, Bingen; Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; Villa González, Emilio; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background and objectives: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. Mind–body therapies (MBTs) seem to be effective for improving health in different populations; however, whether a positive effect occurs in children and adolescents with ADHD is still controversial. The main aim of this systematic review was to analyse the interventions based on MBT aimed to improve the main ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to identify MBT studies on children and adolescents (4–18 years) with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD. Study quality was evaluated by the NIH quality tool (U.S. National Institute of Health). Results: There were positive results in eleven out of twelve included studies regarding the effect of the MBT interventions on ADHD symptoms. With respect to ADHD symptoms, we observed differences across studies. In relation to the studies’ quality, eleven studies were rated 'poor' and one was rated as 'fair'. Conclusions: MBTs, such as yoga or mindfulness, could be positive strategies to mitigate ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents. However, further research with high-quality designs, with randomization, greater sample sizes, and more intensive supervised practice programs are needed.