Normative values for musculoskeletal- and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy Norwegian adults and the association with obesity: a cross-sectional study Childhood cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness and adult measures of glucose homeostasis. Evaluation of an aquatics programme on fitness parameters of individuals with a brain injury Improvement in balance, strength, and flexibility after 12 weeks of Tai chi exercise in ethnic Chinese adults with cardiovascular disease risk factors. Correlates of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness among Brazilian adolescents. Physical fitness as a protective factor for cognitive impairment in a prospective population-based study in Germany. The Effects of Manual Resistance Training on Improving Muscular Strength and Endurance Daughters and mothers exercising together: effects of home- and community-based programs. Benefits of Strength and Skill-based Training During Primary School Physical Education Linear and daily undulating resistance training periodizations have differential beneficial effects in young sedentary women. Pilates for Improvement of Muscle Endurance, Flexibility, Balance, and Posture Efficacy of a 24-Week Aerobic Exercise Program for Osteopenic Postmenopausal Women Effects of hydraulic circuit training following coronary artery bypass surgery. Incorporating health-fitness concepts in secondary physical education curricula. The Effects of Different Resistance Training Protocols on Muscular Strength and Endurance Development in Children A 2-year follow-up of a lifestyle physical activity versus a structured exercise intervention in older adults. Methods of the NSW Schools Fitness and Physical Activity Survey, 1997. Cigarette smoking, physical fitness, and injuries in infantry soldiers. Mediating effects of resistance training skill competency on health-related fitness and physical activity: the ATLAS cluster randomised controlled trial Tracking of muscular strength and power from youth to young adulthood: Longitudinal findings from the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health Study. Predictors of low back pain in physically active conscripts with special emphasis on muscular fitness. The effectiveness of two psychomotor therapy programmes on physical fitness and physical self-concept in nonpsychotic psychiatric patients: a randomized controlled trial Caffeine ingestion acutely enhances muscular strength and power but not muscular endurance in resistance-trained men
Background Up-to- date research on musculoskeletal- and neuromotor fitness ( MSMF ) is lacking . The aims of the present paper were to a ) establish normative values of MSMF by gender and age , and b ) to assess how much of the variance in MSMF can be explained by obesity in adults . Methods A r and om selection of 726 Norwegians ( 20–65 years ) participated in a national cross-sectional study . Muscular endurance , muscular strength , explosive power , flexibility and balance were assessed in addition to  waist circumference ( WC ) . Results Females displayed significantly higher scores compared to males on muscular endurance of the back extensors and on the flexibility tests ( p < 0.001 ) . Males displayed significantly higher scores than females ( p < 0.001 ) on h and grip strength , modified push-ups , and explosive power . An inverse association was found between age and all MSMF scores for females ( Beta:−0.06–(−0.92 ) , p ≤ 0.044 ) and males ( Beta:−0.15–(0.91 ) , p ≤ 0.006 ) , where younger participants displayed higher test scores on all MSMF tests , compared to older participants . Furthermore , participants showing higher scores on WC displayed lower scores on the following MSMF tests for both females and males : muscular endurance of the back extensors , balance , flexibility of the shoulder , and explosive power ( p < 0.001 ) . Additionally , male participants with higher WC scores showed lower scores on muscular endurance of the upper body and flexibility of the hamstrings compared to males with lower WC scores ( p < 0.001 ) . Conclusions The data provide normative values of MSMF for adults based on age and gender , and support an inverse relationship of MSMF to age and WC OBJECTIVES To assess whether childhood cardiorespiratory fitness ( CRF ) and muscular fitness phenotypes ( strength , power , endurance ) predict adult glucose homeostasis measures . DESIGN Prospect i ve longitudinal study . METHODS Study examining participants who had physical fitness measured in childhood ( aged 7 - 15 years ) and who attended follow-up clinics approximately 20 years later  and provided  a fasting blood sample which was tested for glucose and insulin . Physical fitness measurements included muscular strength ( right and left grip , shoulder flexion , shoulder and leg extension ) , power ( st and ing long jump distance ) and endurance ( number of push-ups in 30s ) , and CRF ( 1.6 km run duration ) . In adulthood , fasting glucose and insulin levels were used to derive glucose homeostasis measures of insulin resistance ( HOMA2-IR ) and beta cell function ( HOMA2-β ) . RESULTS A st and ard deviation increase in childhood CRF or muscular strength ( males ) was associated with fasting glucose ( CRF : β=-0.06mmol/L ) , fasting insulin ( CRF : β=-0.73mU/L ; strength : β=-0.40mU/L ) , HOMA2-IR ( CRF : β=-0.06 ; strength : β=-0.05 ) and HOMA2-β ( CRF : β=-3.06 % ; strength : β=-2.62 % ) in adulthood , independent of the alternative fitness phenotype ( all p<0.01 ) . Adjustment for childhood waist circumference reduced the effect by 17 - 35 % for CRF and 0 - 15 % for muscular strength ( males ) and statistical significance remained for all associations expect between CRF , fasting glucose and HOMA2-β ( p>0.06 ) . CONCLUSIONS CRF and muscular fitness in childhood were inversely associated with measures of fasting insulin , insulin resistance and beta cell function in adulthood . Childhood CRF and muscular fitness could both be potential independent targets for strategies to help reduce the development of adverse glucose homeostasis The primary objective was to determine the effect of an aquatic exercise programme on the physical fitness of people with a brain injury . A pre-test – post-test r and omized-groups design was conducted . Sixteen out patients with a brain injury were included in the study . Eight participants were assigned to an aquatic exercise group and eight to a control group . The components of physical fitness measured included cardiovascular endurance , body composition , muscular strength and endurance and flexibility . Measurements were taken pre- and post-programme . Results indicated an increase in components of physical fitness for the experimental group but not the control group . Increases in fitness were reported as having a positive impact on the functional capacity of individuals in the exercise group as well as enhancing the individual 's ability to complete activities of daily living successfully . Results indicate that aquatic exercise may positively impact the primary and secondary physical injuries caused by a brain injury CONTEXT Declines in physical performance are associated with aging and chronic health conditions . Appropriate physical activity interventions can reverse functional limitations and help maintain independent living . Tai chi is a popular form of exercise in China among older adults . OBJECTIVE To determine whether tai chi improves balance , muscular strength and endurance , and flexibility over time . DESIGN Repeated measures intervention ; data collected at baseline , 6 weeks , and 12 weeks . SETTING Community center in the San Francisco Bay Area . PARTICIPANTS Thirty-nine Chinese adults with at least 1 cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk factor . INTERVENTIONS A 60-minute tai chi exercise class 3 times per week for 12 weeks . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES A battery of physical fitness measures specifically developed for older adults assessed balance , muscular strength and endurance , and flexibility . RESULTS Subjects were 65.7 ( + /- 8.3 ) years old , Cantonese-speaking ( 97 % ) immigrants , with 12 years or less of formal education ( 87 % ) and very low income ( 67 % ) . Reported CVD risk factors were hypertension ( 92 % ) , hypercholesteremia ( 49 % ) , diabetes ( 21 % ) , and 1 current smoker . Subjects were below the 50th percentile of fitness at baseline compared to age- and gender-specific normative US data . Statistically significant improvements were observed in all balance , muscular strength and endurance , and flexibility measures after 6 weeks , and they increased further after 12 weeks . CONCLUSIONS Tai chi is a potent intervention that improved balance , upper- and lower-body muscular strength and endurance , and upper- and lower-body flexibility in these older Chinese adults . These findings provide important information for future community-based tai chi exercise programs and support current public health initiatives to reduce disability from chronic health conditions and enhance physical function in older adults OBJECTIVE To analyze socioeconomic indicators , physical activity ( PA ) opportunities , and behavioral correlates of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness among Brazilian boys and girls . METHODS A sample of 1555 adolescents was r and omly selected . Age- and sex-specific st and ard scores were calculated for each fitness component . RESULTS Among boys , head of household 's schooling , involvement in organized PA , meeting the PA recommendations , and computer/games use were associated with cardiorespiratory fitness . Involvement in organized PA and active time in Physical Education ( PE ) classes were predictors of muscular fitness . Among girls , active time in PE classes and TV watching were predictors of cardiorespiratory fitness . Meeting the PA recommendations was associated with muscular fitness . CONCLUSION PA variables and sedentary behaviors should be independently considered for physical fitness promotion in youth To evaluate the predictive effects of subjective measures of physical activity ( PA ) and objective measures of physical fitness ( PF ) on dementia risk , Participants of the prospect i ve population -based ILSE- study ( * 1930 - 1932 ; 12-year follow-up ) were examined at three examination waves ( t1 : 1993/94 ; t2 : 1997/98 ; t3 : 2005/07 ) . 381 subjects of the original cohort ( n = 500 ) were re-examined at t3 . 29 % of the subjects who were cognitively healthy at baseline received the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment ( MCI ) and 7 % of Alzheimer 's disease ( AD ) . Subjects were screened for physical and mental health using medical interviews , physical , and neuropsychological examinations . Participants completed a question naire on their current and past PA at t1 . Subjects were classified as physically active if they reported a regular sport activity for at least 2 hours per week in the past year . Muscular strength ( h and grip ) and motor coordination ( balance ) served as objective indicators of PF . Subjects who passed the balance-test at t1 had a reduced risk of developing MCI/AD at t3 ( OR = 0.35 , 95%CI 0.19 - 0.66 , p < 0.01 ) and performed significantly better on various neuropsychological measures . Muscular strength or subjective reports of PA did not predict MCI/AD development . Our results confirm the hypothesis that PF acts as a protective factor for the development of cognitive disorders . In our study , context , motor coordination served as a better predictor than muscular strength or self-rated PA . Since subjects with cognitive disorders due to cerebral and /or systemic disorders were excluded from the analyses , our findings suggest that the effect of skill-related PF extends beyond the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors Dorgo , S , King , GA , and Rice , CA . The effects of manual resistance training on improving muscular strength and endurance . J Strength Cond Res 23(1 ) : 293 - 303 , 2009-The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a manual resistance training ( MRT ) program on muscular strength and endurance and to compare these effects with those of an identically structured weight resistance training ( WRT ) program . To do this , 84 healthy college students were r and omly assigned to either an MRT ( n = 53 , mean ± SD : age 25.6 ± 6.0 years , height 170.1 ± 8.1 cm , body mass 73.9 ± 16.0 kg , and body fat 24.6 ± 8.7 % ) or WRT ( n = 31 , mean ± SD : age 25.5 ± 5.2 years ; height 169.6 ± 10.1 cm , body mass 75.0 ± 17.4 kg , and body fat 24.7 ± 8.5 % ) group and engaged in a 14-week training program . Each participant 's performance was assessed before and immediately after the 14-week training period . Muscular strength was assessed by the one-repetition maximum ( 1RM ) bench press test and the 1RM squat test . Muscular endurance was recorded as the maximum number of repetitions performed with 70 % of pretraining 1RM for the bench press and squat exercises . There were no significant differences between the MRT and WRT groups at baseline for muscular strength ( p > 0.36 ) or muscular endurance ( p > 0.46 ) . Compared with baseline values , the 14-week training programs produced significant ( p < 0.001 ) improvements in muscular strength and muscular endurance of the MRT and WRT groups . However , no significant difference was observed between the MRT and WRT groups for muscular strength ( p > 0.22 ) or for muscular endurance ( p > 0.09 ) after training . The improvements in muscular strength and muscular endurance after a 14-week MRT program in the present study were similar to those produced by a WRT program , and well- design ed MRT exercises seem to be effective for improving muscular fitness PURPOSE This pilot study compares the effectiveness of home- and community-based physical activity interventions that target mothers and daughters to increase physical activity and improve health-related fitness . METHODS Mothers ( 45.18 + /- 7.49 yr ) and daughters ( 15.41 + /- 1.33 yr ) were r and omly assigned to a community-based ( CB ) ( N = 20 participants ) or home-based ( HB ) ( N = 14 participants ) program . CB participants attended three instructor-led sessions per week for 12 wk . HB participants were asked to participate in 3 sessions per week for 12 wk in a program similar to the CB program . The main difference between the programs was that CB activities were completed at a fitness facility within a university and HB activities were completed in or near the home . Before and after the intervention , changes in health-related fitness and physical activity were assessed . A series of 2 ( group assignment ) x 2 ( time ) ANOVAs were conducted to assess changes separately for mothers and daughters . RESULTS CB participants attended 77 % of the sessions , and none of the pairs dropped out . HB participants completed 70 % of the recommended sessions , and three pairs dropped out . Mothers and daughters in both groups significantly increased their participation in aerobic , muscular strength , and flexibility activities ( P = 0.02 to 0.000 ) . Daughters in both groups significantly improved their muscular endurance ( sit-ups , P = 0.000 ) . Mothers in both groups improved their muscular strength ( push-ups , P = 0.003 ) , muscular endurance ( sit-ups , P = 0.000 ) , flexibility ( sit- and -reach , P = 0.008 ) , and aerobic capacity ( 1-mile walk , P = 0.002 ) . Positive changes in diastolic blood pressure also occurred ( P = 0.008 ) . CONCLUSION Mothers and daughters responded positively to CB and HB physical activity programs . Home-based physical activity programming is a cost-effective means to increase physical activity and improve health-related fitness in these groups Abstract Faigenbaum , AD , Bush , JA , McLoone , RP , Kreckel , MC , Farrell , A , Ratamess , NA , and Kang , J. Benefits of strength and skill-based training during primary school physical education . J Strength Cond Res 29(5 ) : 1255–1262 , 2015—Physical education ( PE ) programs are evolving from a traditional skill-centered model to a health-centered model that focuses on time engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity ( MVPA ) . However , improvements in muscular fitness and fundamental movement skills are prerequisites for continuous participation in MVPA . The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of integrative strength and skill-based training on measures of physical fitness in children during primary school PE . Children from two fourth grade PE classes were cluster r and omized into either a fundamental integrative training ( FIT ) group ( n = 20 ) or a control ( CON ) group ( n = 21 ) . The 8-week FIT program was performed twice per week during the first ∼15 minutes of each PE class and consisted of a circuit of strength and skill-based exercises . All participants were assessed for health- and skill-related fitness before and after the intervention . The outcome variables were analyzed via 2 × 2 repeated measures analysis of variance with post hoc analysis . A significant ( p ⩽ 0.05 ) interaction of group by time was observed in FIT participants with improvements in aerobic capacity , push-ups , sit and reach flexibility , and single-leg hop . There were no groups by time effects for the sit-up and long jump tests . No injuries were reported . These findings highlight the potential benefits of integrating both health- and skill-related fitness components into primary school PE as evidence d by improvements in measures of aerobic capacity and muscular fitness in children The aim of this r and omized controlled study was to verify the impact of a 12-weeks muscular endurance ( ME ) training of high repetitions ( i. e. , 15 - 30 ) with 2 different periodization models on body composition , maximal strength , muscular endurance and cardiorespiratory fitness .  Twenty eight sedentary women aged 20 - 35 years were r and omly assigned to : control ( CON ) ( n=8 ) , linear periodization ( LP ) ( n=10 ) and daily undulating periodization ( DUP ) ( n=10 ) . LP and DUP models significantly improved body composition , maximal strength and ME . However , no significant changes were detected for cardiorespiratory fitness . LP showed a higher body fat loss ( - 12.73 % ) compared to DUP ( - 9.93 % ) ( p=0.049 ) , and systematic ally higher effect sizes ( ES ) when compared with DUP for maximal strength and cardiorespiratory fitness parameters ( e. g. ES=0.53 for ventilatory threshold ) . In contrast , DUP exhibited a significantly ( p=0.002 ) greater ME gain ( 129.43 % ) compared to LP ( 70.72 % ) in bench press , and greater ES in all exercises . It may be suggested that LP performed with a high number of repetitions may be considered an appropriate periodization model for untrained young women that would likely lead to the improvement of body composition and maximum strength performance , whereas DUP is more effective for the development of ME Kloubec , JA . Pilates for improvement of muscle endurance , flexibility , balance , and posture . J Strength Cond Res 24(3 ) : 661 - 667 , 2010-Many cl aims have been made about the effectiveness of Pilates exercise on the basic parameters of fitness . The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Pilates exercise on abdominal endurance , hamstring flexibility , upper-body muscular endurance , posture , and balance .  Fifty subjects were recruited to participate in a 12-week Pilates class , which met for 1 hour 2 times per week . Subjects were r and omly assigned to either the experimental ( n = 25 ) or control group ( n = 25 ) . Subjects performed the essential ( basic ) mat routine consisting of ∼25 separate exercises focusing on muscular endurance and flexibility of the abdomen , low back , and hips each class session . At the end of the 12-week period , a 1-way analysis of covariance showed a significant level of improvement ( p ≤ 0.05 ) in all variables except posture and balance . This study demonstrated that in active middle-aged men and women , exposure to Pilates exercise for 12 weeks , for two 60-minute sessions per week , was enough to promote statistically significant increases in abdominal endurance , hamstring flexibility , and upper-body muscular endurance . Participants did not demonstrate improvements in either posture or balance when compared with the control group . Exercise-training programs that address physical inactivity concerns and that are accessible and enjoyable to the general public are a desirable commodity for exercise and fitness trainers . This study suggests that individuals can improve their muscular endurance and flexibility  using relatively low-intensity Pilates exercises that do not require equipment or a high degree of skill and are easy to master and use within a personal fitness routine Abstract . Osteoporosis is one of the most common skeletal disorders affecting postmenopausal women . The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a 24-week program of aerobic high-impact loading exercise was beneficial for enhancing physical fitness and bone mineral density ( BMD ) in osteopenic postmenopausal women . Forty-three postmenopausal women aged 48–65 years participated in this study . The BMD of the spine ( L2–L4 ) and right femoral neck of each woman was below 1 SD of the mean of premenopausal women , as examined by dual X-ray absorptiometry . The assignment of subjects into exercise or control group was not r and omized but based on each subject 's anticipated compliance to the 6-month long exercise program . Twenty-two subjects joined the  exercise group and attended the training programs and 21 served as the  control group . Exercise programs included treadmill walking at an intensity above 70 % of maximal oxygen consumption ( VO2max ) for 30 minutes , followed by 10 minutes of stepping exercise using a 20-cm-high bench . The program was conducted three times per week for 24 weeks . Physical fitness measurements included testing of flexibility , muscular strength and endurance , body composition , and cardiopulmonary fitness . The results showed that the quadriceps strength , muscular endurance , and VO2max in the exercise group had significant improvements , whereas no improvement was found in any of the physical fitness parameters in the control group . The BMD of the L2–L4 and the femoral neck in the exercise group increased 2.0 % ( P > 0.05 ) and 6.8 % ( P < 0.05 ) and those in the control group decreased 2.3 % ( P < 0.05 ) and 1.5 % ( P > 0.05 ) , respectively . In conclusion , aerobics combined with high-impact exercise at a moderate intensity was effective in off setting the decline in BMD in osteopenic postmenopausal women The effect of hydraulic circuit training ( HCT ) on stroke volume ( SV ) , cardiac output ( Qc ) , aerobic power ( peak VO2 ) , and muscular strength and endurance was evaluated in 24 post-coronary artery bypass ( CABS ) patients ( mean age = 52.8 + /- 2.6 yr ) . All assessment s other than muscular strength and endurance were based upon a symptom limited grade d exercise test on a bicycle ergometer . Muscular strength and endurance were assessed on a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer . Sixteen patients were assigned r and omly to 8 wk of cycle training or HCT ( N = 8 in each ) . Subjects assigned to cycle training exercised on bicycle ergometers . The HCT group exercised on a three-station circuit , completing three circuits per day . Each circuit consisted of three 20 s work intervals at each station with a 1:1 work : rest ratio . Results from the training groups were compared with results from eight patients who served as a nonexercising control group . Following training the peak VO2 was significantly increased in the training groups ( 20 % and 11 % for the cycle and HCT groups , respectively ; P less than 0.05 ) . For both training groups , the increase in peak VO2 was associated with increases in SV and Qc and a reduction in heart rate ( HR ) at submaximal levels of exercise ( P less than 0.05 ) . Only the HCT group demonstrated an increase in both muscular strength and endurance during knee and shoulder exercises ( P less than 0.05 ) . These findings suggest that a program of HCT can elicit improvements in cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength and endurance in post-CABS patients This investigation ascertained effects of exposing high school students to classroom health-related fitness instruction involving a curriculum focused on the relationship of exercise to cardiorespiratory fitness , body composition , flexibility , strength ( particularly as it relates to abdominal and lower-back muscoskeletal function ) , and muscular endurance . The curriculum included lectures , labs , and readings as part of the physical education course work . Ninety ninth and 10th grade students were assigned r and omly to one of three physical education classes , which met daily for one , 12-week semester . Each class received the same skill-related instruction ; however , the two experimental classes , in lieu of skill activities , were exposed to classroom instruction and readings dealing with health fitness topics on a one or two day per week basis . The third class of students , the control group , was engaged strictly in skill activities daily . Students exposed to health-related fitness classroom instruction displayed significantly more positive attitudes toward physical activity and a better underst and ing of health-related fitness than students who did not receive such information Background . Previous research has shown that children can increase their muscular strength and muscular endurance as a result of regular participation in a progressive resistance training program . However , the most effective exercise prescription regarding the number of repetitions remains question able . Objective . To compare the effects of a low repetition – heavy load resistance training program and a high repetition – moderate load resistance training program on the development of muscular strength and muscular endurance in children . Design . Prospect i ve , controlled trial . Setting . Community-based youth fitness center . Subjects . Eleven girls and 32 boys between the ages of 5.2 and 11.8 years . Intervention . In twice-weekly sessions of resistance training for 8 weeks , children performed 1 set of 6 to 8 repetitions with a heavy load ( n = 15 ) or 1 set of 13 to 15 repetitions with a moderate load ( n = 16 ) on child-size exercise machines . Children in the control group ( n = 12 ) did not resistance train . One repetition maximum ( RM ) strength and muscular endurance ( repetitions performed posttraining with the pretraining 1-RM load ) were determined on the leg extension and chest press exercises . Results . One RM leg extension strength significantly increased in both exercise groups compared with that in the control subjects . Increases of 31.0 % and 40.9 % , respectively , for the low repetition – heavy load and high repetition – moderate load groups were observed . Leg extension muscular endurance significantly increased in both exercise groups compared with that in the control subjects , although gains result ing from high repetition – moderate load training ( 13.1 ± 6.2 repetitions ) were significantly greater than those result ing from low repetition – heavy load training ( 8.7 ± 2.9 repetitions ) . On the chest press exercise , only the high repetition – moderate load exercise group made gains in 1-RM strength ( 16.3 % ) and muscular endurance ( 5.2 ± 3.6 repetitions ) that were significantly greater than gains in the control subjects . Conclusion . These findings support the concept that muscular strength and muscular endurance can be improved during the childhood years and favor the prescription of higher repetition – moderate load resistance training programs during the initial adaptation period OBJECTIVES To evaluate the long-term effects of a lifestyle intervention and a structured exercise intervention on physical fitness and cardiovascular risk factors in older adults . DESIGN Controlled trial with r and omization between the intervention groups . SETTING Belgium , Vlaams-Brabant . PARTICIPANTS One hundred eighty-six sedentary but healthy men and women aged 60 to 83 . INTERVENTIONS Participants in the lifestyle intervention were stimulated to integrate physical activity into their daily routines and received an individualized home-based program supported by telephone calls . The structured intervention consisted of three weekly supervised sessions in a fitness center . Both interventions lasted 11 months and focused on endurance , strength , flexibility , and postural and balance exercises . MEASUREMENTS Cardiorespiratory fitness , muscular strength , functional performance , blood pressure , and body composition were measured before ( pretest ) , at the end ( 11 months , posttest ) , and 1 year after the end ( 23 months , follow-up ) of the interventions . RESULTS The results from pretest to posttest have already been published . The current study analyzed the results from posttest to follow-up . There was a decrease in cardiorespiratory fitness , muscular fitness , and functional performance from posttest to follow-up in the structured intervention group but not in the control group or the lifestyle intervention group . At 23 months , participants in both groups still showed improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness . In addition , the structured group showed long-term improvements in muscular fitness , whereas the lifestyle group showed long-term improvements in functional performance . No long-term effects were found for blood pressure or body composition . CONCLUSION These results highlight the potential of a structured fitness center-based intervention and a home-based lifestyle intervention in the battle against inactivity in older adults . Lifestyle programs are especially valuable because they require fewer re sources and less time from health institutions and health practitioners Physical fitness , participation in physical activity , fundamental motor skills and body composition are important contributors to the health and the development of a healthy lifestyle among children and youth . The New South Wales Schools  Fitness and Physical Activity Survey , 1997 , was conducted to fill some of the gaps in our knowledge of these aspects of the lives of young people in New South Wales . The survey was conducted in February and March , 1997 and collected data on a r and omly-selected sample of students ( n = 5518 ) in Years 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 and 10 . Measures were taken on body composition ( height and weight , waist and hip girths , skinfolds ) , health-related fitness ( aerobic capacity , muscular strength , muscular endurance , flexibility ) , fundamental motor skills ( run , vertical jump , catch , overh and throw , foreh and strike and kick ) , self-reported physical activity , time spent in sedentary recreation , and physical education ( PE ) classes . The methods are described to assist in the development of surveys of other population s and to provoke debate relevant to the development and dissemination of st and ard approaches to monitoring the fitness , physical activity habits and body composition of Australian children and youth . Finally , we offer comments on some of the strengths and limitations of the methods employed Reliable data on the impact of physical training on light infantry units in terms of injuries and time loss are sparse . This study evaluated a light infantry unit ( n = 181 ) prospect ively and followed it throughout one year of infantry training and operations . Fifty-five percent of the soldiers ( n = 101 ) experienced one or more injuries . Eighty-eight percent of the injuries were training-related conditions , which result ed in 1,103 days of limited duty . Lower extremity overuse injuries were the most common type of injury documented . Fractures accounted for the greatest number of days of limited duty . Risk factors for training-related injuries identified by this study were cigarette smoking , high percentage of body fat , extremely high or low body mass index , low endurance levels , and low muscular endurance levels ( sit-ups ) . Logistic regression showed that cigarette smoking and low endurance levels were independent risk factors for training injuries . These data indicate that the incidence of training-related injuries in infantry units is high . A number of modifiable injury risk factors were identified , suggesting that many of these injuries may be preventable Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of resistance training skill competency on percentage of body fat , muscular fitness and physical activity among a sample of adolescent boys participating in a school-based obesity prevention intervention . Participants were 361 adolescent boys taking part in the Active Teen Leaders Avoiding Screen-time ( ATLAS ) cluster r and omised controlled trial : a school-based program targeting the health behaviours of economically disadvantaged adolescent males considered “ at-risk ” of obesity .  Body fat percentage ( bioelectrical impedance ) , muscular fitness ( h and grip dynamometry and push-ups ) , physical activity ( accelerometry ) and resistance training skill competency  were assessed at baseline and post-intervention ( i.e. , 8 months ) . Three separate multi-level mediation models were analysed to investigate the potential mediating effects of resistance training skill competency on each of the study outcomes using a product-of-coefficients test . Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle . The intervention had a significant impact on the resistance training skill competency of the boys , and improvements in skill competency significantly mediated the effect of the intervention on percentage of body fat and the combined muscular fitness score . No significant mediated effects were found for physical activity . Improving resistance training skill competency may be an effective strategy for achieving improvements in body composition and muscular fitness in adolescent boys OBJECTIVES Low muscular fitness levels have previously been reported as an independent risk factor for chronic disease outcomes . Muscular fitness tracking , the ability to maintain levels measured at one point in time to another point in time , was assessed from youth to adulthood to provide insight into whether early identification of low muscular fitness in youth is possible . DESIGN Prospect i ve longitudinal study . METHODS Study including 623 participants who had muscular fitness measures in 1985 ( aged 9 , 12 or 15 years ) and again 20 years later in young adulthood . Measures of muscular fitness were strength ( right and left grip , leg , shoulder extension and flexion measured by dynamometer , and a combined strength score ) and power ( st and ing long jump distance ) . RESULTS Strength and power were relatively stable between youth and adulthood ; the strongest tracking correlations were observed for the combined strength score ( r=0.47 , p≤0.001 ) , right grip strength ( r=0.43 , p≤0.001 ) and st and ing long jump ( r=0.43 , p≤0.001 ) . Youth in the lowest third of muscular fitness had an increased risk of remaining in the lowest third of muscular fitness in adulthood ( strength : relative risk (RR)=4.70 , 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) ( 3.19 , 6.92 ) ; power : RR=4.06 ( 2.79 , 5.90 ) ) . CONCLUSIONS Youth with low muscular fitness are at increased risk of maintaining a low muscular fitness level into adulthood . These findings warrant investigation into the long term effects of early interventions that focus on improving low muscular fitness levels in youth which could potentially improve adult muscular fitness and reduce future chronic disease outcomes BACKGROUND CONTEXT Association between low physical fitness and  low back pain ( LBP ) is contradictory in previous studies . PURPOSE The objective of the present prospect i ve cohort study was to investigate the predictive associations of various intrinsic risk factors in young conscripts for LBP , with special attention to physical fitness . STUDY DESIGN A prospect i ve cohort study . PATIENT SAMPLE A representative sample of Finnish male conscripts . In Finl and , military service is compulsory for male citizens and 90 % of young men enter into the service . OUTCOME MEASURES Incidence of LBP and recurrent LBP prompting a visit at the garrison health clinic during 6-month military training . METHODS Four successive cohorts of 18- to 28-year-old male conscripts ( N=982 ) were followed for 6 months . Conscripts with incidence of LBP were identified and treated at the garrison clinic . Predictive associations between intrinsic risk factors and LBP were examined using multivariate Cox proportional hazard models . RESULTS The cumulative incidence of LBP was 16 % , the incidence rate being 1.2 ( 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] , 1.0 - 1.4 ) per 1,000 person-days . Conscripts with low educational level had increased risk for incidence of LBP ( hazard ratio [ HR ] , 1.6 ; 95 % CI , 1.1 - 2.3 ) . Conscripts with low dynamic trunk muscle endurance and low aerobic endurance simultaneously ( ie , having coimpairment ) at baseline also had an increased risk for incidence of LBP . The strongest risk factor was coimpairment of trunk muscular endurance in tests of back lift and push-up ( HR , 2.8 ; 95 % CI , 1.4 - 5.9 ) . CONCLUSIONS The increased risk for LBP was observed among young men who had a low educational level and poor fitness level in both muscular and aerobic performance Objective : To compare the changes in cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness , and the changes in physical self-concept after participation in one of two psychomotor therapy programmes in a sample group of psychiatric patients . To study the relationship between the changes in physical fitness and the changes in physical self-concept . Design : R and omized controlled parallel-group trial with repeated measures . Setting : Three treatment units of a university psychiatric hospital in Belgium . Subjects : One hundred and ninety-nine patients with severe symptoms of depression and /or anxiety , and /or personality disorders . Interventions : A general programme of psychomotor therapy , consisting of different forms of physical exercises and relaxation training , and a personalized psychomotor fitness programme , consisting of aerobic and resistance training . These programmes were followed three times a week for a period of 16 weeks . Outcome measures : The maximum dynamic strength , the strength endurance , physical work capacity at 60 % and 80 % of the estimated maximal heart rate reserve , and the physical self-concept by means of the Dutch version of the Physical Self-Perception Profile . Results : After eight weeks , both groups exhibited an improvement in muscular fitness ( both p-values < 0.0001 ) , but only the psychomotor fitness group had improved in cardiorespiratory fitness ( p < 0.01 ) . After 16 weeks , the patients in the general programme of psychomotor therapy had not increased in cardiorespiratory fitness . At the end of the 16-week programmes , both groups showed a more positive physical self-concept ( p from 0.01 to < 0.0001 ) . However , these improvements were not related to the progress in physical fitness . Conclusions : The main difference in the effectiveness of the two programmes was the increase in cardiorespiratory fitness in the psychomotor fitness group . The gains in fitness did not play an essential role in the enhancement of physical self-concept Abstract The goal of this r and omized , double-blind , cross-over study was to assess the acute effects of caffeine ingestion on muscular strength and power , muscular endurance , rate of perceived exertion ( RPE ) , and pain perception ( PP ) in resistance-trained men . Seventeen volunteers ( mean ± SD : age = 26 ± 6 years , stature = 182 ± 9 cm , body mass = 84 ± 9 kg , resistance training experience = 7 ± 3 years ) consumed placebo or 6 mg kg−1 of anhydrous caffeine 1 h before testing . Muscular power was assessed with seated medicine ball throw and vertical jump exercises , muscular strength with one-repetition maximum ( 1RM ) barbell back squat and bench press exercises , and muscular endurance with repetitions of back squat and bench press exercises ( load corresponding to 60 % of 1RM ) to momentary muscular failure . RPE and PP were assessed immediately after the completion of the back squat and bench press exercises . Compared to placebo , caffeine intake enhanced 1RM back squat performance ( + 2.8 % ; effect size [ ES ] = 0.19 ; p = .016 ) , which was accompanied by a reduced RPE ( + 7 % ; ES = 0.53 ; p = .037 ) , and seated medicine ball throw performance ( + 4.3 % , ES = 0.32 ; p = .009 ) . Improvements in 1RM bench press were not noted although there were significant ( p = .029 ) decreases in PP related to this exercise when participants ingested caffeine . The results point to an acute benefit of caffeine intake in enhancing lower-body strength , likely due to a decrease in RPE ; upper- , but not lower-body power ; and no effects on muscular endurance , in resistance-trained men . Individuals competing in events in which strength and power are important performance-related factors may consider taking 6 mg kg−1 of caffeine pre-training/competition for performance enhancement
Future studies should also consider measures of ME and MS as a function of upper body , lower body , and core strength , and their potential association with specific , rather than general ,
Abstract de la Motte , SJ , Gribbin , TC , Lisman , P , Murphy , K , and Deuster , PA .
A systematic review of the association between physical fitness and musculoskeletal injury risk : part 2—muscular endurance and muscular strength .