Fysisk kapacitet hos fysiskt aktiva och inaktiva ungdomar
Background: During the last decade physical activity among Swedish adolescents has decreased. Changes regarding physical fitness can also be seen, for instance the cardio respiratory capacity has decreased mainly among young men while muscular capacity has decreased in both genders. Physical inactivity and impaired physical fitness are both important health related parameters. 18-year olds have fulfilled their physical development and are physically on top of their development, it makes this group interesting to examine. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate differences between physically active and inactive young men and women, concerning cardio-respiratory fitness, muscular fitness and balance. Design: Research participants where third grade students from upper secondary school. A total of 38 women and 61 men participated in the study. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to estimate the level of physical activity. Based on answers from IPAQ and in accordance with World Health Organization`s recommendations for physical activity, participants were divided into groups considered as physically active or physically inactive. Aerobic fitness was measured using the Åstrand bicycle test. Participants also underwent functional tests of muscular strength in lower limbs, upper body and trunk. Balance skills were also tested. Results: Results show significant differences between physically active and inactive groups regarding aerobic fitness for both women and men. No such results were found comparing the muscular strength among active and inactive women. However, among men the results show a significant difference regarding amount of pushups and sit ups between the active and inactive group. The results also show that activity level has no influence on balance test regardless of gender.Conclusion: Teenagers with a self estimated activity level to at least 60 minutes a day or 7 hours a week have a significant higher level of aerobic fitness. The activity level did not have the same impact on muscular fitness and balance skills. Designing specific guidelines regarding aerobic fitness and strength training directed to adolescents can be of importance in a future health perspective.