Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between biological age, habitual physical activity and anthropometrical and physiological characteristics in 12- and 13-year-old schoolboys (n=70).
Methods: At the beginning and the end of the school year 1971/72 biological age was determined by measuring skeletal age from left hand X-ray photographs. Habitual physical activity was determined by questionnaire interview and pedometers.
Results: All anthropometrical characteristics showed significant correlations (P<0.05) with skeletal age except for bicipital and tricipital skinfolds. Out of 9 physical fitness tests handgrip was the only test that showed a significant correlation (0.52) with skeletal age.
Pedometer scores gave significant negative correlations (P<0.05) with anthropometrical characteristics except for tricipital skinfold. The fitness tests bent arm hang, 12 min run walk, sit and reach and W170 showed significant correlations (P<0.05) with pedometer scores.
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This study was supported in part by a grant from the Foundation for Education Research (SVO) and the Ministry of Health and Environmental Hygiene in The Hague (The Netherlands). Project number: 0185.
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Kemper, H.C.G., Verschuur, R., Ras, K.G.A. et al. Biological age and habitual physical activity in relation to physical fitness in 12-and 13-year-old schoolboys. Z. Kinder-Heilk. 119, 169–179 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00445024
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00445024