The relationship between levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and physical self-perception in adolescent girls

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:There is a universal concern about the rapid decline in the physical activity levelsof children, particularly adolescent girls. There is evidence of an increase injuvenile obesity that is associated with numerous health risks. Duringadolescence the majority of psychological problems associated with obesity stemfrom a disturbance in the self-concept. The purpose of this study was todetermine the relationship between fitness, body composition and physical selfperceptionof a sample of 167 adolescent girls (14-17 years), and to comparethese results with the results of similar studies from around the world. Theresults show a significant positive relationship (r = 0.47; P < 0.01) between levelsof cardiorespiratory fitness and physical self-perception and significant negativerelationships between percentage body fat and physical self-perception (r =-0.35; p < 0.01), as well as body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness (r =-0.47; P < 0.01). The results clearly illustrate the current prevalence of obesityassociated with low cardiorespiratory fitness (due to inactivity) and low selfperception.The importance of being physically active for the physical andpsychological well-being of adolescents is a valuably preventive and treatmentmeasure.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University