Key result
Physical activity moderately correlates with VO2max, with boys showing greater fitness and strength than girls.
Why the study?
Sedentary behaviour is increasing among urban Indian adolescents, yet regional data on physical activity and fitness profiles remain limited.
Cross-Sectional (n=316)
No
Urban Indian adolescents exhibit low physical activity and fitness levels, with boys demonstrating significantly higher cardiorespiratory fitness and strength than girls.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Association in adolescents does not imply causality; leaves open need for longitudinal trials on activity and fitness.
Purpose: Sedentary behaviour is rising among urban Indian adolescents posing significant risks to their overall health. Adolescence is a critical period for developing lifelong health behaviours. Despite evidence of low physical activity (PA) and fitness, regional data remains limited. This study compares Physical fitness profiles across different PA levels among school children aged 11–15 years in urban Bengaluru. Participants: A total of 316 students, aged between 11 to 15 years, from a Private School in Urban Bengaluru participated. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted following ethical approval. PA assessed by Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS) questionnaire, strength by hand dynamometer, and cardiorespiratory-fitness (CRF) by 20-mSRT. Participants with medical conditions were excluded. Analysis: Demographic variables reported as mean ± SD. Outcome variables reported as median and quartiles as data not normally distributed. Spearman correlation to correlate between PA, VO2max & strength. Mann–Whitney test to compare VO2max & strength between genders. Results: Among participants, 56.3% were boys, age (13.48 ± 1.17 years), BMI (20.22 ± 4.61 kg/m 2 ). PA time 210 min/week (IQR 90–420), VO 2 max 36.72 mL/ Kg/ min (IQR 33.29–39.43), strength 20.75 Kg (IQR 17.00–25.50). A moderate positive correlation observed between PA & VO 2 max (r s = 0.398, p < 0.001). Significant difference between genders in VO2max (Z = -5.012, p < 0.001), strength (Z= -6.302, p < 0.001), boys showing higher CRF & strength. Conclusion: PA levels and fitness were low among the adolescents in urban Bengaluru. Boys exhibited significantly higher CRF and strength than girls, reflecting marked gender differences. Implications: Findings emphasize promoting PA and positive health behaviours among adolescents, especially girls, to enhance fitness and health. This aligns with national initiatives such as Khelo India etc, advocating youth fitness and highlighting the need for structured PA in school curriculum and longitudinal research.
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Shreyas et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Sedentary behavior (n=316). Physical activity was evaluated on Correlation between physical activity and VO2max (rs 0.398, p=<0.001). Physical activity was moderately positively correlated with VO2max, and boys demonstrated higher cardiorespiratory fitness and strength compared to girls.
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