Physical Fitness Reference Standards in French Youth: The BOUGE Program.

The aim of this study was to establish sex- and age-specific physical fitness percentiles in French youth. A sample of 11,186 children and adolescents (5,546 boys and 5,640 girls), aged between 10 and 15 years, was assessed in the French national BOUGE study. Participants were tested for their cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular endurance, speed, flexibility, and agility using the following tests: 20-m shuttle run tests, curl-ups test, 50-m sprint test, back-saver sit and reach test, and 10 × 5-m shuttle run test.

Physical fitness levels of adolescents in the Ile de France region: comparisons with European standards and relevance for future cardiovascular risk.

The aim was to assess physical fitness in French schoolchildren in the region of Ile de France and to compare the results with European countries. The relationship between physical fitness and future health profile was of particular interest. Participants were 1851 French youth in the Ile de France region.

Physical activity using wrist-worn accelerometers: comparison of dominant and non-dominant wrist.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in physical activity assessment between a wrist-worn accelerometer at the dominant or non-dominant arm. The secondary purpose was to assess the concurrent validity of measures of physical activity from the wrist-worn accelerometer and the waist-worn accelerometer. Forty adults wore three accelerometers simultaneously, one on the waist and one each on the non-dominant wrist and dominant wrist, respectively, for 24 consecutive hours of free-living conditions.

Reliability of health-related physical fitness tests in adolescents: the MOVE Program.

The aim was to examine the reliability of health-related physical fitness tests that were used in a French health promotion program 'Move…A priority for your health'. Participants were 174 French youth (88 children and 86 adolescents) aged 8·2-16·2 years. Aerobic fitness, muscular strength, speed and flexibility were tested using 20-m shuttle run test, ½ mile run test, basketball throw, standing long jump, shoulder stretch and 20/30/50-m sprint tests.

Relationship between tactics and energy expenditure according to level of experience in badminton.

Research on racket sports has traditionally focused on expert players and has treated energy expenditure and tactics as independent factors. These prior studies could not assess how energy expenditure and tactics changed as a function of experience and skill. Here, the specific relationship between playing tactics and energy expenditure in badminton were assessed.

Influence of sleep timing behavior on weight status and activity patterns in adults with intellectual disabilities.

The aim was to explore the relationship between sleep habits and overweight/obesity, physical activity and sedentary behaviors in French adults with intellectual disabilities. This observational study was conducted on 570 French adults with intellectual deficiency. Sleep habits were analyzed and related to anthropometric measures, physical activity and sedentary behaviors.

Technical variability of the Vivago® wrist-worn accelerometer.

The aim was to assess the technical variability of a new wrist-worn accelerometer under controlled conditions with a shaker device and during normal daily physical activities (PAs). In the first experiment, 10 wrist-worn accelerometers (Vivago(®) Wellness, Paris, France) were attached to the shaker device. Variability was tested at five shaking frequencies (1.

Strategies in intervention programmes for obese youth: implication of the age and the type of physical activities.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of age and type of physical activity on anthropometric measures of obese youth participating in an intervention programme. Subjects included 37 obese children (12·5 ± 2·9 years). The programme consisted of a unique programme of physical activity and health education.

How many days of accelerometer monitoring predict weekly physical activity behaviour in obese youth?

The aim of this study was to determine the type and the number of accelerometer monitoring days needed to predict weekly sedentary behaviour and physical activity in obese youth. Fifty-three obese youth wore a triaxial accelerometer for 7 days to measure physical activity in free-living conditions. Analyses of variance for repeated measures, Intraclass coefficient (ICC) and regression linear analyses were used.

Overweight in intellectually-disabled population: physical, behavioral and psychological characteristics.

Intellectually disabled (ID) people are at high risk of overweight and obesity. Prevalence and risk factors were assessed in a French population of ID adults attending specialized institutions, using a questionnaire focusing on demographic characteristics, physical activities, food habits and self-awareness about body and health. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate regression.

Concurrent validity of the modified International Physical Activity Questionnaire for French obese adolescents.

Physical activity is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. Evaluating and promoting this activity warrants careful attention, particularly in the context of preventing obesity associated with low physical activity. The aim of the present study was to assess the concurrent validity of a modified, long, self-administered version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) using triaxial accelerometry in 56 youth with obesity.

The six-minute walk test in obese youth: reproducibility, validity, and prediction equation to assess aerobic power.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess reproducibility and validity of the 6 minute walk test (6MWT) in obese youth and to develop an equation to predict aerobic power (VO(2max)).

Methods: Fifty-two girls and 45 boys, ages 7-17.8 participated in the study.

A conative educational model for an intervention program in obese youth.

Background: Obesity in children has increased in recent years throughout the world and is associated with adverse health consequences. Early interventions, including appropriate pedagogy strategies, are important for a successful intervention program. The aim of this study was to assess changes in body mass index, the ability to perform sport activities, behavior in the classroom and academic performance following one year of a health-wellness intervention program in obese youth.

Prevalence of overweight in adolescents with intellectual deficiency. Differences in socio-educative context, physical activity and dietary habits.

The study investigates the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a population of intellectually disabled (ID) adolescents. An observational study was conducted on a group of 410 ID children, living in France. Overweight and obesity, defined according to international standards, were analyzed and related to demographic and sociological parameters, educational care, physical activity and dietary habits.

Improvements in heart health behaviors and reduction in coronary artery disease risk factors in urban teenaged girls through a school-based intervention: the PATH program.

Objectives: We sought to assess the effects of a school-based intervention program on cardiovascular disease risk factors in urban girls.

Methods: We compared heart health knowledge, health behaviors, cardiovascular risk factors, and physical fitness among a group of 442 multiethnic teenaged girls (310 experimental participants vs 132 control participants). Testing was conducted before and after a 12-week program of vigorous exercises integrated with lectures and discussions on diet, exercise, stress, and smoking.

Monitoring Cardiac Patients: How Much Is Enough?

In brief ECG monitoring is generally recommended for patients in cardiac rehabilitation, but the optimal amount of monitoring is uncertain. This article reviews several questions regarding this issue. The authors conclude that monitoring during exercise testing is necessary to determine an appropriate exercise prescription for all cardiac patients, but additional monitoring is not indicated during upper extremity as opposed to lower extremity exercise.