Regular participation in sports is associated with enhanced physical fitness and lower fat mass in prepubertal boys

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of physical activity on whole body fat (BF), its regional deposition and the influence of body fatness on physical performance in prepubertal children. DESSIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: A total of 114 boys (9.41.5 y, Tanner I–II), randomly sampled from the population of Gran Canaria (Spain), 63 of them physically active (PA, at least 3 h per week during the previous year) and 51 nonphysically active (non-PA). MEASUREMENTS: Body composition (DXA), anthropometric variables (body circumferences and skinfolds) and physical fitness were determined in all subjects. RESULTS: The PA obtained better results in maximal oxygen uptake, isometric leg extension force, vertical jump (muscular power), and 300 m (anaerobic capacity) and 30 m running tests (speed) than the non-PA. A lower percentage of body fat (% BF) (4 U less, PPPr=0.81–0.95, Pr=0.52–0.53, PV30), combined with the height and whole body mass, has predictive value for the BF mass (R=0.98, PV30 (% BF=8.09+2.44BMI (kg m-2)–5.8V30 (m s-1), R=0.94, P<0.001) in prepubertal boys. CONCLUSIONS: Regular participation in at least 3 h per week of sports activities and competitions on top of the compulsory physical education program is associated with increased physical fitness, lower whole body and trunkal fat mass in prepubertal boys.