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Physical capacity in physically active and non-active adolescents

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Abstract

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate differences in physical capacity between physically active and non-active men and women among graduates from upper secondary school.

Subject and methods

Research participants were graduates (38 women and 61 men) from upper secondary school. Physical activity was determined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and participants were dichotomously characterized as being physically active or physically non-active according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). Aerobic capacity was measured using the Åstrand cycle ergometer test. Participants also underwent tests of muscular strength and balance.

Results

Maximum oxygen uptake differed significantly between physically active and non-active men (mean ± SD 3.6 ± 0.7 vs 3.0 ± 0.6 l/kg, p = 0.002) and women (3.0 ± 0.6 vs 2.5 ± 0.3 l/kg, p = 0.016). There was a difference among physically active and non-active men regarding push-ups (37.1 ± 9.0 vs 28.5 ± 7.0, p < 0.001) and sit-ups (59.2 ± 30.2 vs 39.6 ± 19.4, p = 0.010). No significant differences were found regarding vertical jump or grip strength among men, any of the muscle strength measurements among women, and balance (in any sex).

Conclusion

Activity levels had impact on aerobic capacity in both sexes, but did not seem to have the same impact on muscular strength and balance, especially in women.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the participants for taking part in this study. We also thank Winternet in Boden, and Step In in Piteå, Sweden, for providing us with staff and test facilities. Financial support was provided by the Department of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, and the Swedish National Centre for Research in Sports CIF 30/05.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Science, Division of Health and Rehabilitation, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87, Luleå, Sweden

    Katarina Mikaelsson, Kristina Eliasson, Lars Nyberg & Peter Michaelson

  2. Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences-Orthopaedics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden

    Jack Lysholm

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  1. Katarina Mikaelsson
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Correspondence to Katarina Mikaelsson.

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Mikaelsson, K., Eliasson, K., Lysholm, J. et al. Physical capacity in physically active and non-active adolescents. J Public Health 19, 131–138 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-010-0371-5

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