The difference of relationships between physical activity variables and physical fitness in children and adolescents: With special reference to amount and intensity of physical activity

The purposes of this study were to investigate the relationships between physical activity variables and physical fitness, and between amount and intensity of physical activity in children and adolescents. Subjects were divided into two groups: 178 children (99 boys aged 9.8±0.6 and 79girls aged 9.7±0.6) who had not reached the age of peak height velocity (PHV), and 336 adolescents (141 boys aged 15.0±1.1 and 195girls aged 15.3±1.2) who had reached the age of PHV. Physical activity level (PAL: total energy expenditure/basal metabolic rate) which indicates the amount of physical activity, and time engaged in each of physical activity intensity (light, moderate and vigorous), which indicates the intensity of physical activity were estimated from uni-axial accelerometer. Physical activity was monitored for 3 consecutives days: 2 weekday and 1 weekend day. Moreover, physical fitness test suggested by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology was applied. Results of this study showed that PAL was closely related to physical fitness in children, while time engaged in vigorous activity was more related to physical fitness in adolescents. On the other hand, time engaged in light and moderate activity was closely associated with PAL in younger girls, whereas in younger boys, PAL was closely related to time engaged in moderate and vigorous activity. However, time engaged in moderate activity was more related to PAL in the adolescent group. These results suggest that the relationship between physical activity variables and physical fitness and between amount and intensity of physical activity might vary according to the growth development of boys and girls respectively.