Abstract:
Poor health status in childhood has been documented to persist into adulthood, reducing quality of life.
PURPOSE: To understand the fitness levels in adolescents between three countries that share similarities in race and culture.
METHODS: A total of 4736 healthy adolescents (age: 13.79 ± 0.93yrs, height: 162 ± 8.21cm, weight: 54.79 ± 12.82kg, BF%: 22.25 ± 10.00%) were recruited for the intervention from Shanghai (SH) (n=1586), Hong Kong (HK) (n=1530) and Taipei (TP) (n=1620). Anthropometric measurements were taken on the same day. Participants took their percent body fat (BF%) with a bio-impedance analysis, and handgrip strength test (HGS) with a hand dynamometer. Flexibility, abdominal muscular strength, and cardiovascular fitness (CF) were measured with one-legged sit and reach test (SRT), one-minute sit-up test, and 15m PACER test respectively.
RESULTS: One-way ANOVA showed significant differences between the three countries for height (SH: 164.4 ± 7.83cm, HK: 160.7 ± 8.40cm, TP: 160.89 ± 7.86cm; p < 0.0005), weight (SH: 56.48 ± 12.24kg, HK: 52.2 ±12.44kg, TP: 55.58 ± 13.35kg; p < 0.0005), BF% (SH: 22.23 ± 9.64%, HK: 21.16 ± 10.00%, TP: 23.3 ± 10.30%; p < 0.0005), HGS (SH: 55.53 ± 14.09kg, HK: 51.94 ± 13.90kg, TP: 50.86 ± 14.67kg; p < 0.0005), abdominal muscular strength (SH: 36.20 ± 9.24 reps, HK: 30.56 ± 10.14 reps, TP: 33.03 ± 9.71 reps; p < 0.0005) and CF (SH: 40.11 ± 16.05 laps, HK: 35.48 ± 18.44 laps, TP: 37.77 ± 18.86 laps; p < 0.0005). Kruskal-Wallis Test analyzed results of SRT showed significant difference between the three countries (SH: 54.96 ± 9.70cm, HK: 49.61 ± 12.03cm, TP: 51.79 ± 11.29cm; p < 0.0005). Significant differences were observed in the inverse relationship between BF% and CF (r = -0.46; p < 0.0005), BF% and abdominal strength (r = -0.30; p < 0.0005) and a positive linear relationship between abdominal strength and CF (r = 0.54; p < 0.0005).
CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents from Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei are vastly different in all health-related fitness variables which could be attributed to environmental and social factors. However, they are generally healthy and fit with good BF% level and CF. Adolescents should continue to be exposed to regular physical activities to maintain and improve fitness status. This would prevent unwanted cardiovascular diseases in future which would lead to higher quality of life.
Copyright © 2019 by the American College of Sports Medicine
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