Key result
Organised sports and physical activity link to better youth cardiorespiratory fitness, while screen time lowers it.
Why the study?
There is a lack of studies investigating the associations between physical activity patterns and cardiovascular fitness, and how gender, parental education, BMI status, and country of birth associate with cardiovascular fitness.
Are physical activity patterns and screen time associated with cardiovascular fitness in adolescents?
Cross-Sectional (n=884)
Yes
Are physical activity patterns and screen time associated with cardiovascular fitness in adolescents?
Effect estimate: β = 3.32 in girls, β = 4.38 in boys (for participation in organised sports) (95% CI 2.14-4.51 (girls), 2.80-5.96 (boys))
p-value: p=<0.05
Encouraging participation in organised sports and limiting weekday screen time to under 5 hours may be important targets to improve cardiovascular fitness in adolescents.
Supports targeting organized sports and limiting screen time for adolescent CVF; hypothesis-generating and requires longitudinal confirmation of causality.
Cardiovascular fitness (CVF) has been associated with cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents. CVF levels are determined by non-modifiable and modifiable factors; one modifiable factor is physical activity (PA). There is a lack of studies investigating the associations between PA patterns and CVF and how gender, parental education, BMI status and country of birth are associated with CVF. The aim of this study was to explore the cross-sectional associations between PA patterns and CVF in Swedish 13–14-year-old adolescents. CVF was estimated using the Ekblom-Bak submaximal test, data on PA patterns were collected using hip-worn accelerometers and a questionnaire. The mean CVF was 44.8 mL/kg/min in girls (n = 569) and 55.5 mL/kg/min in boys (n = 451) p < 0.01. The results showed a significant association between participation in organised sports (β = 3.32 CI: 2.14, 4.51, β = 4.38, CI: 2.80, 5.96), MVPA (β = 0.07, CI: 0.04, 0.11, β = 0.07, CI: 0.03, 0.11), a high proportion of SED (β = −0.47, CI: −0.70, −0.25, β = −0.41, CI: −0.64, −0.18) and CVF in girls and boys, respectively. More than five hours of screen time on weekdays was associated with lower CVF (β = −2.32 CI: −3.92, −0.71 in girls and boys β = −2.82, CI: −5.14, −0.50). While causal relations remain unknown, these findings could be relevant when designing future interventions with the aim to improve CVF.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Kjellenberg et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy adolescents (n=884). Participation in organised sports, MVPA, and screen time vs. Lower physical activity levels, non-participation in sports, or less screen time was evaluated on Cardiovascular fitness (CVF) estimated by Ekblom-Bak submaximal test (β = 3.32 in girls, β = 4.38 in boys (for participation in organised sports), 95% CI 2.14-4.51 (girls), 2.80-5.96 (boys), p=<0.05). Participation in organised sports and higher moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were positively associated with cardiovascular fitness, whereas high sedentary time and >5 hours of weekday screen time were negatively associated.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: