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Influence of physical fitness on cardio-metabolic risk factors in European children. The IDEFICS study
M Zaqout1, N Michels1, K Bammann2,3
1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Insights
Poor physical fitness in children is linked to cardio-metabolic risks. Improving cardio-respiratory fitness and lower-limb strength may significantly reduce these risks, promoting better child health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles contribute to the rising prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors.
- Early identification and intervention are crucial for mitigating long-term health consequences.
- Physical fitness is a key determinant of overall health in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between various physical fitness components and cardio-metabolic risk factors in children.
- To identify which fitness components are most effective in preventing the clustering of metabolic risks.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for improving child health through physical activity.
Main Methods:
- A 2-year longitudinal study involving 1635 European children aged 6-11 years.
- Assessed cardio-respiratory fitness, upper and lower-limb strength, balance, flexibility, and speed.
- Metabolic risk factors included waist circumference, blood pressure, blood lipids, and insulin resistance, standardized as z-scores.
Main Results:
- Lower physical fitness was significantly associated with a higher clustered metabolic risk in children.
- Cardio-respiratory fitness and lower-limb strength were the strongest predictors of reduced clustered metabolic risk.
- Cardio-respiratory fitness benefits were observed independently of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels.
Conclusions:
- Poor physical fitness is a significant risk factor for developing cardio-metabolic issues in children.
- Targeting cardio-respiratory fitness and lower-limb muscular strength can effectively modify this risk.
- Interventions promoting these fitness components are vital for pediatric preventative health strategies.
Objective:
The aim of the study was to assess the associations of individual and combined physical fitness components with single and clustering of cardio-metabolic risk factors in children.
Subjects/Methods:
This 2-year longitudinal study included a total of 1635 European children aged 6-11 years. The test battery included cardio-respiratory fitness (20-m shuttle run test), upper-limb strength (handgrip test), lower-limb strength (standing long jump test), balance (flamingo test), flexibility (back-saver sit-and-reach) and speed (40-m sprint test). Metabolic risk was assessed through z-score standardization using four components: waist circumference, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), blood lipids (triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein) and insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment). Mixed model regression analyses were adjusted for sex, age, parental education, sugar and fat intake, and body mass index.
Results:
Physical fitness was inversely associated with clustered metabolic risk (P<0.001). All coefficients showed a higher clustered metabolic risk with lower physical fitness, except for upper-limb strength (β=0.057; P=0.002) where the opposite association was found. Cardio-respiratory fitness (β=-0.124; P<0.001) and lower-limb strength (β=-0.076; P=0.002) were the most important longitudinal determinants. The effects of cardio-respiratory fitness were even independent of the amount of vigorous-to-moderate activity (β=-0.059; P=0.029). Among all the metabolic risk components, blood pressure seemed not well predicted by physical fitness, while waist circumference, blood lipids and insulin resistance all seemed significantly predicted by physical fitness.
Conclusion:
Poor physical fitness in children is associated with the development of cardio-metabolic risk factors. Based on our results, this risk might be modified by improving mainly cardio-respiratory fitness and lower-limb muscular strength.
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