Abstract

AGUILAR, Ana Cecilia et al. Percentile values for physical condition for Cali, Colombian children and adolescents. Biomédica [online]. 2011, vol.31, n.2, pp.242-249. ISSN 0120-4157.

Introduction. Baseline data for physical condition are not available for adolescents in Cali, Colombia. Objective. This study aimed to develop representative age- and sex- specific percentile baseline data for physical condition (mL•kg-1•min-¹) for urban adolescents aged 10-16 years. Materials and methods. The sample (n=1,773) consisted of 865 males and 908 females from the cross-sectional population survey, the IFRECNTEC Study (Identification of Risk Factors of Non-Transmissible Adult Chronic Diseases in School-age Populations in the City of de Cali), for whom the data for physical condition were recorded. Smoothed age- and sex- specific 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 95th centile values where derived using least mean squares regression analysis. Results. Percentile-based reference data for physical condition were presented for adolescent Colombian boys and girls for the first time. In males, the p50 of the PWC-170 (VO_2max) ranged 49-43, and in females 52-40. A decreasing trend (~10%) in the p50 was seen in both sexes over 16 years of age. In general, more heterogeneity was present among males than females in terms of physical aptitude through VO_2max test. Conclusion. The results established a baseline level of physical condition in adolescents that can be interpreted as an indicator of future cardiovascular health. They also recommend that the physical condition of Colombian adolescents must be improved to protect against cardiovascular disease in adulthood.

Keywords : Physical fitness; child; adolescent; Colombia.

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