Relations between sedentary behavior and FITNESSGRAM healthy fitness zone achievement and physical activity.

Purpose: To investigate the relations between sedentary behaviors and health-related physical fitness and physical activity in middle school boys and girls.

Methods: Students (n = 1515) in grades 6-8 completed the Youth Risk Behavior Survey sedentary behavior questions, the FITNESSGRAM physical fitness items, and FITNESSGRAM physical activity self-report questions.

Results: When students reported ≤ 2 hours per day of sedentary behaviors, their odds of achieving the FITNESSGRAM Healthy Fitness Zone for aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition increased.

Meeting physical activity guidelines and health-related fitness in youth.

Background: National physical activity guidelines have been developed for Americans. Interest lies in the relationship between meeting the national physical activity guidelines and physical fitness outcomes in youth. Theoretically, those who meet the physical activity guidelines are more physically fit, which translates to better health and reduced risk.