Physical fitness in preschoolers according to body composition

Authors

  • Eva-Maria Riso Institute of Sports Sciences and Physiotherapy, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
  • Lisette Toplaan Institute of Sports Sciences and Physiotherapy, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
  • Piret Viira Institute of Sports Sciences and Physiotherapy, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
  • Sille Vaiksaar Institute of Sports Sciences and Physiotherapy, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
  • Jaak Jürimäe Institute of Sports Sciences and Physiotherapy, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12697/akut.2018.24.04

Keywords:

preschoolers, physical fitness, body composition, body mass

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate physical fitness of preschoolaged children just before entering school according to their body mass index, and to examine possible associations of body mass index, fat mass and fat-free mass with physical fitness in preschool-aged children. Two hundred and fifty-six preschoolers aged 6 to 7 years participated in the study. Physical fitness was assessed using PREFIT test battery and body composition was estimated using four skinfold thickness parameters. Overweight children had lower cardiorespiratory fitness and lower results in all weight-bearing fitness tests, and better handgrip strength test result in comparison with normal-weight children. Significant associations were found between body composition indices and the results of physical fitness tests. Higher BMI associated negatively with weight-bearing physical fitness tests. The results of the research indicate that weight-status and body composition have significant effect on physical fitness in 6–7 years old preschoolers.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2019-01-02

Issue

Section

Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)