a School of Sport Sciences , University of Udine , Gemona del Friuli, Udine , Italy.
b Department of Medical and Biological Sciences , University of Udine , Udine , Italy.
Eur J Sport Sci. 2016;16(2):271-8. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2015.1030454. Epub 2015 Apr 13.
The prevalence of obesity in children has increased dramatically during the past decades in Europe and understanding physical fitness and its components in children is critical to design and implement effective interventions. The objective of the present study was to analyse the association between physical fitness (aerobic, speed, agility, power, flexibility and balance) and body mass index (BMI) in pre-pubertal children. A total of 2411 healthy schoolchildren (7-11 years) participated in this study. Anthropometric characteristics and body composition were assessed by skinfold thickness. Physical fitness was measured by nine physical fitness tests: endurance running, 20 m running speed, agility, handgrip strength, standing long jump and squat jump, sit and reach, medicine ball forward throw and static balance. No relevant differences were observed between boys and girls regarding anthropometric characteristics, body composition and physical fitness. However, overweight and obese children showed significantly lower physical fitness levels in endurance running, speed and agility (mean: +18.8, +5.5 and +14.5% of time to complete tasks, respectively), lower limb power normalised to body mass (-23.3%) and balance tests (number of falls: +165.5%) than their normal weight counterparts. On the other hand, obesity did not affect handgrip, throwing and flexibility. In conclusion, increased BMI was associated with lower performance capabilities limiting proper motor skill development, which directly affects the ability of children to take on sports skills. Actions undertaken to promote children's wellness and fitness should be prioritised and introduced early in life with the aim of enhancing physical fitness as well as preventing overweight and obesity.
在过去几十年中，欧洲儿童肥胖症的患病率急剧上升，了解儿童的身体健康状况及其组成部分对于设计和实施有效的干预措施至关重要。本研究的目的是分析儿童身体健康（有氧能力、速度、敏捷性、力量、灵活性和平衡）与身体质量指数（BMI）之间的关系。共有 2411 名健康的学龄儿童（7-11 岁）参与了这项研究。通过皮褶厚度评估了人体测量特征和身体成分。通过九项体能测试来测量身体健康：耐力跑、20 米跑速、敏捷性、握力、站立跳远和深蹲跳远、坐式伸展、投球和静态平衡。在人体测量特征、身体成分和身体健康方面，男孩和女孩之间没有观察到相关差异。然而，超重和肥胖儿童在耐力跑、速度和敏捷性方面的身体素质水平明显较低（完成任务的时间分别增加了 18.8%、+5.5%和+14.5%），下肢力量相对于体重的正常化（-23.3%）和平衡测试（摔倒次数：+165.5%）比正常体重的同龄人差。另一方面，肥胖并不影响握力、投掷和柔韧性。总之，BMI 的增加与较低的运动能力有关，限制了适当的运动技能发展，这直接影响了儿童掌握运动技能的能力。应优先采取行动，促进儿童的健康和健康，并在生命早期引入这些行动，目的是提高身体健康水平，预防超重和肥胖。
