Objective: The identification of populational levels of maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2max ) is an aid to studies that propose to relate physical fitness to cardiovascular risk, and also for prescribing exercise and analyzing the effects of training. To date, there is no information with which this parameter can be classified in samples of adolescents from the Brazilian population. This study is, therefore, the first to propose the determination of mean VO 2max levels in a sample of the Brazilian population.Methods: A sample of 380 schoolchildren (177 boys and 203 girls, aged 10 to 14 years) was selected at random from public schools in Vitória, ES. After anthropometric assessment they underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing, VO 2max was measured directly and results were classified according to quintiles calculated from the study sample.Results: The mean VO 2max values observed ranged from 42.95 to 49.55 mL.kg -1 .min -1 for boys and from 36.76 to 38.29 mL.kg -1 .min -1 for girls.Conclusions: This paper proposes mean VO 2max ranges as a classification parameter for cardiorespiratory fitness, in addition to contributing to a definition of normal values for the Brazilian population. This classification will also be of use for establishing cutoff points in future studies.J Pediatr (Rio J). 2006;82(6):426-30: Maximum oxygen uptake, adolescents, aerobic fitness, cardiopulmonary exercise testing. ResumoObjetivo: A identificação de valores populacionais do consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO 2 máx) auxilia nos estudos que se propõem a relacionar a aptidão física ao risco cardiovascular, bem como na prescrição do exercício e na análise do efeito do treinamento. Em amostras de adolescentes da população brasileira, ainda não existem informações para classificação desse parâmetro. Portanto, a proposta inédita deste estudo foi de determinar os valores médios de VO 2 máx de uma amostra da população brasileira.Métodos: Foi selecionada aleatoriamente uma amostra de 380 escolares (177 meninos e 203 meninas) da rede pública de Vitória (ES), com idade de 10 a 14 anos. Após avaliação antropométrica, foram submetidos a teste cardiopulmonar para medida direta do VO 2 máx, cujos valores foram classificados de acordo com o quintil calculado a partir da amostra estudada.Resultados: Os valores médios de VO 2 máx encontrados para os meninos foram de 42,95 a 49,55 mL.kg -1 .min -1 e, nas meninas, entre 36,76 e 38,29 mL.kg -1 .min -1 .Conclusões: O presente trabalho propõe faixas de valores médios de VO 2 máx como parâmetro para classificação de aptidão cardiorrespiratória, além de contribuir para a definição dos valores de normalidade da população brasileira. Essa classificação auxilia também no estabelecimento de pontos de corte para estudos posteriores. O sedentarismo é um problema crescente que tem atingido um número cada vez maior de crianças e adolescentes. Autores relatam que há uma tendência entre os adolescentes de se envolverem menos nas atividades de educação física escolar e em atividades vigorosas e de aumentarem o tempo d...

ResumoObjetivo: Avaliar a ocorrência de síndrome metabólica (SM) e fatores de risco associados em adolescentes de Vitória (ES). Métodos:Foram avaliados 380 adolescentes de 10 a 14 anos de idade estudantes de escolas públicas. Foram mensurados: índice de massa corporal, pressão arterial em repouso, dosagens séricas em jejum das concentrações de colesterol total, LDL-colesterol, HDL-colesterol, triglicerídeos e glicose.Resultados: Identificou-se prevalência de sobrepeso em 9,6% dos meninos e em 7,4% das meninas, enquanto que obesidade foi observada em 6,2 e 4,9%, respectivamente. As concentrações de triglicerídeos foram limítrofes ou altas em 6,8 e 3,4% dos meninos e em 11,8 e 5,9% das meninas. A concentração de HDL-colesterol estava abaixo dos níveis padronizados em 8,5% dos meninos e em 9,9% das meninas. A pressão arterial em repouso foi limítrofe para 5,1% dos meninos e 7,9% das meninas, enquanto que 3,4% tanto dos meninos quanto das meninas foram considerados hipertensos. Glicemia de jejum foi alta em 0,6% dos meninos e em 0,5% das meninas. No grupo estudado, 2,8% dos meninos e 2,5% das meninas apresentaram dois fatores de risco associados a SM. A prevalência de SM foi de 1,1% para meninos e 1,5% para meninas e a total foi de 1,3%. Conclusões:Fatores de risco cardiovasculares associados a SM são condições clínicas importantes nessa faixa etária. Um número significativo de adolescentes apresentou resultados limítrofes, os quais podem aumentar a prevalência de SM ou de fatores de risco independentes em curto prazo. Mais investimentos devem ser feitos na prevenção primária, considerando que o diagnóstico precoce é uma questão de fundamental importância. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2009;85(1):55-60:Síndrome metabólica, adolescentes, fatores de risco cardiovasculares, colesterol, obesidade. AbstractObjective: To evaluate the occurrence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and independent associated risk factors in adolescents in the city of Vitória, Brazil. Methods:We assessed 380 adolescents aged 10 to 14 years attending public schools. Body mass index and blood pressure at rest were measured. Fasting plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose were also obtained. Results:The prevalence of overweight was 9.6% for boys and 7.4% for girls, while obesity was found in 6.2 and 4.9%, respectively. Triglyceride concentrations were borderline or high in 6.8 and 3.4% of the boys and in 11.8 and 5.9% of the girls. HDL-cholesterol was below recommended levels in 8.5% of the boys and in 9.9% of the girls. Blood pressure at rest was borderline for 5.1% of the boys and 7.9% of the girls, while 3.4% of both boys and girls were hypertensive. Fasting glycemia was high in 0.6% of the boys and in 0.5% of the girls. In the group studied, 2.8% of the boys and 2.5% of the girls had two risk factors associated with MS. Prevalence of MS was 1.1% for boys and 1.5% for girls, and overall prevalence was 1.3%. Conclusions:MS and associated cardiovascular risk factors are serious clinical conditions in...

BackgroundAlthough the effects of physical activity (PA) on health and wellness are well-established, incorporating sedentary behaviours in the daily lives of populations from high- and medium-income countries is becoming increasingly common. Regardless of other factors, the area of residence can influence the physical activity level and sedentary behaviours. The aim of this study was to identify and analyse active and sedentary behaviours and factors associated with physical activity in two different geographical areas in south-eastern Brazil.Methods1.770 schoolchildren aged 7-10 years old were studied. Parents or caregivers completed a validated questionnaire on PA and sedentary behaviours. Screen time (ST) was calculated from the time spent watching television, playing video games and using the computer. The level of active PA (>300 minutes per week) was identified and compared between the areas of study. Parametric and non-parametric tests and Poisson regression model with robust variance were used for statistical analysis.ResultsCompared to schoolchildren from the urban area, those from the rural area showed a higher percentage of compliance with the PA recommendations (87 vs. 69.7%) and screen time <2 h (34.8 vs. 18.8%) and less participation in supervised PA. Active commuting to school was more common among schoolchildren from urban areas, although using a bicycle was more common in rural areas. The characteristics of children who do not meet the recommended weekly PA are as follows: being female, living in urban areas, being overweight, not using video games or performing supervised PA. Total ST as well as daily use of television and the computer was not associated with physical activity level in the present sample. Participation in supervised physical activities in both areas was found to increase the prevalence of being active in the areas studied.ConclusionsThe results of the present study suggest that while schoolchildren from rural areas are more active and spend less time on sedentary activities than those from the urban area, the time spent in sedentary behaviors, such as watching television, playing video games and using the computer, is high in both contexts, and it is not associated with physical activity recommendation compliance.

Objetivo: O consumo máximo de oxigênio tem sido sugerido como medida preferível em relação a questionários de atividade física para expressar a aptidão cardiorrespiratória, por sua maior objetividade e menor possibilidade de erros. Estudos indicam que essa medida se correlaciona melhor com as doenças cardiovasculares. Este trabalho propõe-se a associar fatores de risco cardiovasculares em adolescentes ao nível de aptidão cardiorrespiratória. Métodos:Foram selecionados 380 escolares, 177 meninos e 203 meninas (10 a 14 anos), que foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com a aptidão cardiorrespiratória. Realizou-se avaliação antropométrica, medidas hemodinâmicas (pressão arterial e freqüência cardíaca), teste cardiopulmonar e perfil bioquímico (triglicerídeos, colesterol total e frações).Resultados: Nos meninos, observou-se diferença significativa entre grupo "fraco" e "não fraco" para as médias de freqüência cardíaca basal, consumo máximo de oxigênio, índice de massa corporal e triglicerídeos. Nas meninas, as diferenças significativas foram nas médias de freqüência cardíaca basal, consumo máximo de oxigênio e índice de massa corporal. Em ambos os sexos, o grupo classificado como "fraco" apresentou maior número significativo de indivíduos com excesso de peso em relação ao grupo "não fraco" (χ2 = 25,242; p = 0,000; χ2 = 12,683; p = 0,000, para meninos e meninas, respectivamente). Associação significativa entre aptidão cardiorrespiratória e triglicerídeos (χ2 = 3,944; p = 0,047) observou-se apenas para o sexo masculino. Conclusões:A aptidão cardiorrespiratória mais baixa parece ter influência negativa sobre os fatores de risco cardiovasculares em adolescentes, especialmente em relação ao excesso de peso em ambos os gêneros e ao perfil bioquímico no sexo masculino, evidenciando para a necessidade de intervenções preventivas precoces. Methods:The study enrolled 380 schoolchildren, 177 boys and 203 girls (10 to 14 years old), who were divided into two groups according to their cardiorespiratory fitness. Anthropometric assessment was carried out, hemodynamic measurements (arterial pressure and heart rate) were taken, cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed and biochemical tests were run (triglycerides, total and partial cholesterol).Results: Among the boys, significant differences were observed between boys defined as "weak" and those classed as "not weak" in terms of baseline heart rate, maximum oxygen uptake, body mass index and triglycerides. Among the girls, significant differences were detected between baseline heart rates, maximum oxygen uptake and body mass indices. In both sexes, the group classified as "weak" exhibited a significantly greater number of overweight individuals that the "not weak" group (χ2 = 25.242; p = 0.000; χ2 = 12.683; p = 0.000, for boys and girls, respectively). A significant association between cardiorespiratory fitness and triglycerides (χ2 = 3.944; p = 0.047) was observed among the boys only. Conclusions:A low level of cardiorespiratory fitness appears to have a negative influen...

Objective: The identification of populational levels of maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2max ) is an aid to studies that propose to relate physical fitness to cardiovascular risk, and also for prescribing exercise and analyzing the effects of training. To date, there is no information with which this parameter can be classified in samples of adolescents from the Brazilian population. This study is, therefore, the first to propose the determination of mean VO 2max levels in a sample of the Brazilian population.Methods: A sample of 380 schoolchildren (177 boys and 203 girls, aged 10 to 14 years) was selected at random from public schools in Vitória, ES. After anthropometric assessment they underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing, VO 2max was measured directly and results were classified according to quintiles calculated from the study sample.Results: The mean VO 2max values observed ranged from 42.95 to 49.55 mL.kg -1 .min -1 for boys and from 36.76 to 38.29 mL.kg -1 .min -1 for girls.Conclusions: This paper proposes mean VO 2max ranges as a classification parameter for cardiorespiratory fitness, in addition to contributing to a definition of normal values for the Brazilian population. This classification will also be of use for establishing cutoff points in future studies.J Pediatr (Rio J). 2006;82(6):426-30: Maximum oxygen uptake, adolescents, aerobic fitness, cardiopulmonary exercise testing.