Associations of fitness, motor competence, and adiposity with the indicators of physical activity intensity during different physical activities in children

We investigated the associations of peak oxygen uptake (V.O-2peak), ventilatory threshold (VT), muscle strength, motor competence (MC), and adiposity with the indicators of PA intensity during different physical activities used to create absolute PA intensity cut-offs among 35 children 7-11-years-of-age. V.O-2peak was defined as the highest V.O-2 achieved in the maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a cycle ergometer, self-paced running, or running on a treadmill at 8 km/h. VT was defined from the CPET data. Peak isometric knee extensor and flexor strength was assessed by a dynamometer, MC by the Korperkoordination test fur Kinder tests, and body composition by the bioelectrical impedance analysis. PA intensity was assessed using V.O-2 as a % of V.O-2reserve or V.O-2 at VT, mean amplitude deviation (MAD) measured by accelerometry, metabolic equivalent of task (MET), and muscle activity measured by textile electromyography during walking or running on a treadmill at 4, 6, and 8 km/h, playing hopscotch, walking up and down the stairs, self-paced walking, and self-paced running. Children with lower V.O-2peak, V.O-2 at VT, and MC operated at higher intensity level during given physical task than their peers with higher fitness and MC when PA intensity was expressed using relative PA intensity using V.O-2 as a % of V.O-2reserve or V.O-2 at VT (p<0.05). MAD and METs during different tasks were not able to discriminate PA intensity between children with varying levels of physical fitness or MC. Traditionally used absolute measures of PA intensity based on accelerometry or MET underestimated PA intensity in children with lower V.O-2peak, V.O-2 at VT, and MC.

Automated summary

Children with lower VO2peak, VT, and MC operated at higher intensity level during physical tasks compared to their peers with higher fitness and MC when PA intensity was expressed using relative PA intensity. However, MAD and METs were not able to discriminate PA intensity between children with varying levels of physical fitness or MC. Traditional absolute measures of PA intensity based on accelerometry or MET underestimated PA intensity in children with lower VO2peak, VT, and MC.