Changes in physical activity are reflected in changes in fitness during late adolescence. A 2-year follow-up study.

The study describe changes over 2 years in different physical fitness measures and the relationship between these changes and changes in physical activity. Maximal aerobic work capacity (Wattmax), functional strength, muscle endurance, agility and flexibility were measured in 259 randomly selected high school boys and girls 16.5 years of age and followed-up 2 years later, while they still attended school. Most physical fitness measures increased over time in boys, and in girls an increase was found in arm extensor strength and trunk extensor endurance, but Wattmax per kg body mass decreased. Changes in physical performance between 16 and 18 years of age seem to be very similar in different countries, despite differences in physical activity patterns and absolute level of performance. No change was found in time of participation in physical activity or sports activity in either gender, but fewer girls participated in leisure-time sports at the 2nd test (p < 0.001). Change in physical activity or sports activity did not relate to change in physical fitness level. The relationships between level of sports participation (competition, for health or none) and physical fitness measures at baseline and at the 2nd test were weak or non-significant. Three explanations for the weak relationship between physical activity and fitness are suggested: (A) part of the variability in fitness is explained by genetics, (B) growth and hormonal changes, especially in boys, override the stimulus of training, and (C) the physical fitness level in adolescents is so high that only physical activity at high relative intensity is supposed to have an effect on the fitness level.