Does muscular fitness predict cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescent girls? A 3-year follow-up study

• Published in: Journal of sports sciences Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 125 - 131
• Main Authors: Kasović, Mario, Oreški, Ana, Vespalec, Tomaš, Štefan, Andro, Štefan, Lovro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 2024; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: adolescence; Body fat; Cardiorespiratory fitness; follow-up; Girls; prediction; Regression analysis; adolescence; prediction; follow-up; Performance
• ISSN: 0264-0414; 1466-447X
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2024.2322250

The main purpose of the study was to establish, whether future cardiorespiratory fitness might be predicted by the level of muscular fitness at baseline. In this 3-year follow-up study, we recruited 240 secondary school girls at the age of 15 y, who were followed until the age of 17 y. Muscular fitness included the following tests: (i) standing broad jump (cm), (ii) sit-ups in 60 s (#) and (iii) squats in 60 s (#). Cardiorespiratory fitness was split into aerobic endurance (the 800-m run test) and speed endurance (the 400-m run test). Better performances in the 800-m run and the 400-m run tests at follow-up were correlated with higher levels of standing broad jump, sit-ups and squats in 60 s measured at baseline. In regression models adjusted for fat mass and maturity offset, standing broad jump, sit-ups and squats in 60 s were positively associated with the 800-m run test, while only standing broad jump remained significantly and positively associated with the 400-m run test. These data suggest that interventions enhancing muscular fitness should be recommended, as the effects are likely to be associated with future cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescent girls.