ORIGINAL PAPER
Physical fitness and health-related quality of life in Brazilian adolescents: a cross-sectional study
 
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1
University of Northern Paraná, Londrina, Brazil
 
2
Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of São Paulo, Boituva, Brazil
 
3
Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
 
4
Londrina State University, Londrina, Brazil
 
 
Submission date: 2017-10-13
 
 
Acceptance date: 2018-01-08
 
 
Publication date: 2018-06-05
 
 
Hum Mov. 2018;19(2):3-10
 
KEYWORDS
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ABSTRACT
Purpose:
To compare physical fitness according to dimensions of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in Brazilian adolescents.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study of 588 adolescents (263 female) aged 12 to 17 years from a private school in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. HRQOL was assessed by the Kidscreen-52 questionnaire. Four components of physical fitness were assessed: adiposity (sum of tricipital and subscapular skinfolds), muscular strength (handgrip test), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), and cardiorespiratory fitness (20m Shuttle run test). Differences in physical fitness across terciles of HRQOL were assessed using Analysis of Covariance.

Results:
Adolescents with higher scores (3rd Tercile) of HRQOL in the physical well-being dimension presented higher cardiorespiratory fitness and lower skinfold thickness (p < 0.05) compared to adolescents with lower scores (1stTercile). Those with higher scores in psychological well-being and social support and peer relation dimensions also presented lower skinfold thickness (p < 0.05). Performance in handgrip strength and flexibility did not differ across terciles of HRQOL in any dimension analyzed (p > 0.05).

Conclusions:
Adiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness seem to contribute to the physical well-being dimension of HQOL in Brazilian adolescents. Furthermore, adiposity also contributes to psychological well-being and social support and peer relations. Adiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness should be monitored to avoid low HRQOL in Brazilian adolescents.

ISSN:1899-1955
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