Estimation of aerobic fitness levels and its determinants among the school going undernourished Indian children  A field-based study

Rajesh Jeniton Fernando; Maria Pauline; Tinku Thomas; Mario Vaz

doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.04093202006052020

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Online Published: 17 May 2020

Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2020; 10(8): 635-640

doi: 10.5455/njppp.2020.10.04093202006052020

Estimation of aerobic fitness levels and its determinants among the school going undernourished Indian children A field-based study

Rajesh Jeniton Fernando, Maria Pauline, Tinku Thomas, Mario Vaz.

Abstract
Background: Higher aerobic fitness in children has many physical and cognitive health benefits and can track into adulthood preventing non-communicable diseases later in life. Data on the levels of aerobic fitness among Indian undernourished children are sparse.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study is to perform a field-based study to estimate the levels of aerobic fitness and its determinants among the undernourished Indian children.

Materials and Methods: Three hundred clinically healthy children, 50% boys, 710.5 years between the body mass index (BMI) Z score of −3 and 0 were recruited. Their anthropometry, lung function, handgrip strength were determined, and their physical activity levels were ascertained. Their aerobic fitness was estimated using 20-m multistage shuttle run test (20-mMSRT) and modified Harvards step test (MHST).

Results: The estimated aerobic fitness levels were 32.25 ± 4.21 and 37.29 ± 5.96 (ml/kg/min) using 20-mMSRT and MHST, respectively. Body composition (fat-free mass), nutritional level (BMI Z scores), and hemoglobin explained 37% and 44% of the variance in whole-body aerobic fitness (ml/min) using 20-mMSRT and MHST, respectively. Gender difference in the predicted aerobic fitness was not apparent in this undernourished group of children. BMI Z scores were positively correlated with the whole-body aerobic fitness among undernourished Indian children.

Conclusion: The estimated levels of aerobic fitness among the Indian undernourished children were found to be low for their age. Improvement in nutrition can positively influence on whole-body aerobic fitness among this group of undernourished children.

Key words: Aerobic Fitness; Body Composition; Children; Lung Function; Nutrition; Physical Activity Levels

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Pubmed Style

Fernando RJ, Pauline M, Thomas T, Vaz M. Estimation of aerobic fitness levels and its determinants among the school going undernourished Indian children A field-based study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2020; 10(8): 635-640.

doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.04093202006052020

Web Style

Fernando RJ, Pauline M, Thomas T, Vaz M. Estimation of aerobic fitness levels and its determinants among the school going undernourished Indian children A field-based study. https://www.njppp.com/?mno=99936 [Access: June 26, 2026].

doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.04093202006052020

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Fernando RJ, Pauline M, Thomas T, Vaz M. Estimation of aerobic fitness levels and its determinants among the school going undernourished Indian children A field-based study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2020; 10(8): 635-640.

doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.04093202006052020

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Fernando RJ, Pauline M, Thomas T, Vaz M. Estimation of aerobic fitness levels and its determinants among the school going undernourished Indian children A field-based study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. (2020), [cited June 26, 2026]; 10(8): 635-640.

doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.04093202006052020

Harvard Style

Fernando, R. J., Pauline, . M., Thomas, . T. & Vaz, . M. (2020) Estimation of aerobic fitness levels and its determinants among the school going undernourished Indian children A field-based study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, 10 (8), 635-640.

doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.04093202006052020

Turabian Style

Fernando, Rajesh Jeniton, Maria Pauline, Tinku Thomas, and Mario Vaz. 2020. Estimation of aerobic fitness levels and its determinants among the school going undernourished Indian children A field-based study. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 10 (8), 635-640.

doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.04093202006052020

Chicago Style

Fernando, Rajesh Jeniton, Maria Pauline, Tinku Thomas, and Mario Vaz. "Estimation of aerobic fitness levels and its determinants among the school going undernourished Indian children A field-based study." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 10 (2020), 635-640.

doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.04093202006052020

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.04093202006052020

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

doi:10.5455/njppp.2020.10.04093202006052020

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