Highlights:
Improving child health through physical activity is crucial for overall well-being and aerobic fitness is one of them. Aerobic fitness refers to the body's ability to take in, transport, and utilize oxygen during exercise, commonly measured by assessing cardiovascular endurance or aerobic capacity.
A recent study by the University of Jyväskylä and the University of Granada highlights the significance of aerobic fitness, particularly as measured by the 20-meter shuttle run test, in relation to various aspects of childhood health and brain function (1✔ ✔Trusted Source- A 20-meter shuttle run among obese kids improved executive functions and brain health
- Unlike shuttle run, treadmill test did not reveal evident improvement in brain indicators
- The shuttle run test can serve as an effective tool to tailor public health strategies for obese children
Which indices of cardiorespiratory fitness are more strongly associated with brain health in children with overweight/obesity?
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Quiz on Obesity
“We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are”. - Adelle Davis There are thousands out there battling ‘the bulge’. With childhood obesity on the rise ...
“We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are”. - Adelle Davis There are thousands out there battling ‘the bulge’. With childhood obesity on the rise ...
‘20-meter shuttle run performance correlates with improved brain function and grey matter volume in overweight/obese children. #shuttlerun #obesekids #brainhealth #medindia’
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Aerobic Fitness and Brain Health
The study included 100 overweight or obese children aged 8 to 11 years as part of the ActiveBrains study conducted in Granada, Spain.Aerobic fitness was measured by the 20-meter shuttle run test- a widely used method in schools worldwide. Brain health was evaluated through cognitive tests and brain imaging. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) was objectively measured during a maximum treadmill test.
The results showed consistent and clear associations with various brain health outcomes in children. The outcomes included cognitive functions, learning, executive functions, academic performance, and brain imaging measures.
Did You Know?
Nearly 30% of children in European countries are living with overweight/obesity, and the prevalence may be increasing.
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Test Your Knowledge on Childhood Obesity
Obesity is defined as having excess body fat, and is responsible for a wide range of chronic health problems. Childhood obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent with nearly 20% of American children and nearly the same percentage of children in ...
Obesity is defined as having excess body fat, and is responsible for a wide range of chronic health problems. Childhood obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent with nearly 20% of American children and nearly the same percentage of children in ...
Associations with Shuttle Run Test
Children who performed well in the shuttle run test exhibited better executive functions, academic performance, and higher total brain grey matter volume. The maximal oxygen uptake estimated using an equation based on the shuttle run test results was associated with general intelligence and reasoning ability.Maximal oxygen uptake measured objectively during the treadmill test was not associated with any brain health outcomes. The study suggests that factors such as body composition, motor skills, and motivation, in addition to maximal oxygen uptake, play a role in the 20-meter shuttle run results.
Read More to Know About ‘Lowering Screen Time & Increasing Physical Activity Curbs Childhood Obesity’
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Childhood Obesity - Criteria - Causes - Complications, Treatment
Childhood obesity is one of the most serious health challenges in the developing countries and needs to be understood and tackled effectively.
Childhood obesity is one of the most serious health challenges in the developing countries and needs to be understood and tackled effectively.
Implications for Fitness Monitoring
The 20-meter shuttle run test is widely used in schools globally, including in fitness monitoring systems. Fitness assessments using the shuttle run test can provide informative and predictive insights into the brain health status of children.Monitoring systems can help identify regions with poorer fitness, informing public health strategies to address childhood health concerns.
In summary, the 20-meter shuttle run test may be a valuable tool in assessing and predicting various aspects of brain health in children, and its inclusion in fitness monitoring systems can aid in identifying and addressing health concerns among obese kids.
Reference:
- Which indices of cardiorespiratory fitness are more strongly associated with brain health in children with overweight/obesity? - (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/sms.14549)
Source-Medindia
Infographics on Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is a serious health condition that has become a concern for the global community of the 21st century. View infographic on childhood obesity
Childhood obesity is a serious health condition that has become a concern for the global community of the 21st century. View infographic on childhood obesity
