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Is Muscular Fitness Associated with Future Health Benefits in Children and Adolescents? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies

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Abstract

Background

No previous systematic review has quantitatively examined the association between muscular fitness during childhood and adolescence and health parameters later in life.

Objective

The aim was to systematically review and meta-analyze the current evidence for a prospective association between muscular fitness in childhood and adolescence and future health status.

Methods

Two authors systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and SPORTDiscus electronic databases and conducted manual searching of reference lists of selected articles. Relevant articles were identified by the following criteria: apparently healthy children and adolescents aged 3–18 years with muscular fitness assessed at baseline (e.g., handgrip, standing long jump, sit-ups, among others), and a follow-up period of ≥ 1 year. The outcome measures were anthropometric and adiposity measurements and cardiometabolic, bone and musculoskeletal health parameters. Two authors independently extracted data.

Results

Thirty studies were included in the meta-analysis, yielding a total of 21,686 participants. The meta-analysis found a significant, moderate-large (p < 0.05) effect size between muscular fitness at baseline and body mass index (r = − 0.14; 95% confidence interval (CI) − 0.21 to − 0.07), skinfold thickness (r = − 0.32; 95% CI − 0.40 to − 0.23), homeostasis model assessment estimated insulin resistance (r = − 0.10; 95% CI − 0.16 to − 0.05), triglycerides (r = − 0.22; 95% CI − 0.30 to − 0.13), cardiovascular disease risk score (r = − 0.29; 95% CI − 0.39 to − 0.18), and bone mineral density (r = 0.166; 95% CI 0.086 to 0.243) at follow-up.

Conclusion

A prospective negative association was observed between muscular fitness in childhood/adolescence and adiposity and cardiometabolic parameters in later life, together with a positive association for bone health. There is inconclusive evidence for low back pain benefits.

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Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this review are available on reasonable request from the corresponding author (Antonio García-Hermoso).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Navarrabiomed, IdiSNa, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain

    Antonio García-Hermoso & Mikel Izquierdo

  2. Laboratorio de Ciencias de la Actividad Física, el Deporte y la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, USACH, Santiago, Chile

    Antonio García-Hermoso

  3. Laboratory of Human Performance, Quality of Life and Wellness Research Group, Department of Physical Activity Sciences, Universidad de Los Lagos (University of Los Lagos), Osorno, Chile

    Rodrigo Ramírez-Campillo

  4. Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre, CIBER of Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain

    Mikel Izquierdo

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  1. Antonio García-Hermoso
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Correspondence to Antonio García-Hermoso.

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Funding

AGH is a Miguel Servet Fellow (Instituto de Salud Carlos III—CP18/0150). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

Antonio García-Hermoso, Rodrigo Ramírez-Campillo, and Mikel Izquierdo declare that they have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this review.

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García-Hermoso, A., Ramírez-Campillo, R. & Izquierdo, M. Is Muscular Fitness Associated with Future Health Benefits in Children and Adolescents? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies. Sports Med 49, 1079–1094 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01098-6

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