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Cited by 125Physical Activity and HealthObesity, Physical Activity, DietPhysical Education and Training Studies

Sedentary patterns, physical activity and health-related physical fitness in youth: a cross-sectional study

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Júdice, Pedro B., Silva, Analiza M., Berria, Juliane, Petroski, Edio L., Ekelund, Ulf, Sardinha, Luís B.·2017·International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
DOI 10.1186/s12966-017-0481-3PMC PMC5336686
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Strong evidence indicates that moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is positively associated with fitness in youth, independent of total sedentary-time. Sedentary-time appears negatively associated with fitness only when it replaces MVPA. However, whether different sedentary-patterns affect health-related fitness is unknown. METHODS: < 2295) in sedentary-time and the frequency of daily bouts in non-prolonged (<30 min) and prolonged (≥30 min) sedentary-time were determined. The FITNESSGRAM® test battery was used to assess fitness. A standardized fitness composite-score (z-score) was calculated by summing the individual z-scores of the five tests adjusted to age and sex. RESULTS: Positive associations between MVPA and fitness were observed in both boys (β = 0.013, 95% CI: 0.005; 0.021) and girls (β = 0.014, 95% CI: 0.006; 0.022), independent of sedentary-patterns. Modest associations were found for the breaks in sedentary-time with fitness (β = 0.026, 95% CI: 0.009; 0.042), independent of total sedentary-time and MVPA in boys. In girls, non-prolonged sedentary bouts were positively associated with fitness (β = 0.014, 95% CI: 0.003; 0.024), independent of total sedentary-time and MVPA. CONCLUSIONS: These results reinforce that, independent of the time and patterns of sedentary behavior, MVPA is consistently associated with fitness in youth. Modest and inconsistent associations were found for sedentary behaviors. Breaking-up sedentary-time in boys and non-prolonged sedentary bouts in girls were positively associated with fitness, independent of total sedentary-time and MVPA. In order to enhance youth's fitness, public health recommendations should primarily target MVPA, still, suggestion to reduce and break-up sedentary-time may also be considered.

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  • Habitual physical activity promotes higher fitness level, which is associated with better academic performance, cognitive performance and cognitive control in adolescents.

    “Habitual physical activity promotes higher fitness level,16 which has been associated with better academic performance,17 cognitive performance18 and cognitive control19 in adolescents.”

    From Influence of habitual physical activity on cognitive performance of healthy young adults after passive heat exposure (2026) · cites this paper as [16]

    Citation 16 attaches to the physical-activity–fitness clause, not the academic or cognitive outcomes cited separately. The Conclusions say that promoting at least moderate-intensity activity is likely to improve fitness in youth, but the Strengths and limitations section says the cross-sectional data cannot establish causality. Thus, the source supports an association and a qualified prediction, not the unqualified causal wording “promotes.” (LLM, conf=0.85)

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Sorted by citations

Authors
Júdice, P. B., Silva, A. M., Berria, J., Petroski, E. L., Ekelund, U., & Sardinha, L. B.
Affiliations
  • University of Lisbon (PT)
  • Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (BR)
  • University of Cambridge (GB)
Corresponding author
Sardinha, Luís B.
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2017-03-04
Volume
14
Issue
1
Pages
25-25
ISSN
1479-5868 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s12966-017-0481-3
PMC
PMC5336686
OpenAlex
W2591617255
Cited by
125
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 12
FWCI
7.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)) (submittedVersion)
  • NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Human Performance—Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation ((UID/DTP/00447/2013))
  • Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology ((SFRH/BD/81403/2011))
  • Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel -CAPES ((case n° 6782/2015-09))
  • Research Council of Norway ((249932/F20))
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Physical Education and Training Studies
Keywords
sedentary behavior, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, health-related physical fitness, youth, prolonged sedentary bouts, FITNESSGRAM, sex differences
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Child, Child Behavior, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Motor Activity, Physical Fitness, Public Health, Exercise, Sedentary Behavior, Accelerometry

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