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The impact of Canadian winter on physical activity, aerobic performance and body composition in rural children
Author(s) -
Wittmeier Kristy Diane Marie,
Kozyra Tanya Rose,
Mollard Rebecca Christine,
Kriellaars Dean Johannes
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a936-b
Subject(s) - overweight , medicine , physical activity , demography , population , rural population , aerobic exercise , body mass index , gerontology , environmental health , physical therapy , sociology
Low physical activity, low aerobic fitness and overweight in children are associated with disease risk. The impact of winter and rural living on children’s daily step count has not been investigated. The purpose was to characterize physical activity (PA) in rural children during Canadian winter, and examine relationships between PA, body composition (BC) and aerobic performance (AerP). Subjects (n=56, ages 8–10) were recruited from rural Manitoba. Measures: BC: (height, mass, skinfolds); PA (7 day pedometry); AerP (20m shuttle run test, SRT) and weather (Environment Canada). Mean daily step count was 10,465±2506 (snow cover, wind chill −6 to −20); only 7% of children met the minimum recommended steps count. Twenty nine % of children were overweight, 50% had BF >20%. Children with BF <20% had higher step counts (p<0.01); BMI and weekday steps were correlated (r= −0.246, p<0.05). All BC measures were inversely related to AerP (p<0.05). Present SRT results were 2 stages lower than 1984 reference data. Children in rural Manitoba exhibit low AerP, high adiposity and low PA. Canadian winter has a greater impact on PA (10,465 steps/d) than previously described winter PA assessments (14,333 steps/d; Auckland, New Zealand). Future research must address overcoming barriers to PA in this population. Supported by Manitoba Institute of Child Health.