Effects of a school-based karate intervention on academic achievement,psychosocial functioning,and physical fitness:A multi-country cluster randomized controlled trial

Purpose:To examine the effects of a school-based karate intervention on academic achievement,psychosocial functioning,and physical fitness in children aged 7-8 years.Methods:Twenty schools in 5 different European countries(2 second-grade classrooms per school)participated in a cluster randomized controlled trial(Sport at School trial).Participants were assigned to either a control group,which continued with their habitual physical education lessons,or to an intervention group,which replaced these lessons with a 1-year karate intervention(Karate Mind and Movement program).A total of 721 children(344 girls and 377 boys,7.4±0.5 years old,mean±SD)completed the study,of which 333 and 388 were assigned to the control group and intervention group,respectively.Outcomes included academic performance(average grade),psychosocial functioning(Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for parents),and different markers of physical fitness(cardiorespiratory fitness,balance,and flexibility).Results:The intervention provided small but significant benefits compared to the control group for academic achievement(d=0.16;p=0.003),conduct problems(d=-0.28;p=0.003),cardiorespiratory fitness(d=0.36;p<0.001),and balance(d=0.24;p=0.015).There was a trend towards significant benefits for flexibility(d=0.24;p=0.056).No significant benefits were observed for other variables,including psychosocial difficulties,emotional symptoms,hyperactivity/inattention,peer problems,or prosocial behaviour(all p>0.05).Conclusion:A 1-year school-based karate intervention was effective in improving academic achievement,conduct problems,and physical fitness in primary school children.The results support the inclusion of karate during physical education lessons.

Research on the Deep Integration Mechanism of National Fitness Campaign and College Physical Education Teaching:Taking Guangdong University of Science and Technology as an Example

By using the methods of literature review,questionnaire survey,and expert interview,this paper discusses and analyzes the deep integration mechanism of national fitness campaign and college physical education teaching,in order to promote the development of college physical education teaching reform,expand ideas,explore new fields,and provide novel development directions.The purpose is to enhance the national physical quality,improve the public service system,enhance the health awareness of the citizens,and provide guidelines for promoting the development of sports.

Scoping review on health-related physical fitness in patients with inflammatory bowel disease:Assessment,interventions,and future directions

BACKGROUND Reaching the Selecting Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Bowel Disease-II(STRIDE-II)therapeutic targets for inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)requires an interdisciplinary approach.Lifestyle interventions focusing on enhancing and preserving health-related physical fitness(HRPF)may aid in improving subjective health,decreasing disability,or even controlling inflammation.However,ambiguity remains about the status and impact of HRPF(i.e.body composition,cardiorespiratory fitness,muscular strength,muscular endurance,and flexibility)in IBD patients,hindering the development of physical activity and physical exercise training guidelines.AIM To review HRPF components in IBD patients and the impact of physical activity and physical exercise training interventions on HRPF.METHODS A systematic search in multiple databases was conducted for original studies that included patients with IBD,assessed one or more HRPF components,and/or evaluated physical activity or physical exercise training interventions.RESULTS Sixty-eight articles were included.No study examined the complete concept of HRPF,and considerable heterogeneity existed in assessment methods,with frequent use of non-validated tests.According to studies that used gold standard tests,cardiorespiratory fitness seemed to be reduced,but findings on muscular strength and endurance were inconsistent.A limited number of studies that evaluated physical activity or physical exercise training interventions reported effects on HRPF,overall showing a positive impact.CONCLUSION We performed a scoping review using a systematic and iterative approach to identify and synthesize an emerging body of literature on health-related physical fitness in patients with IBD,highlighting several research gaps and opportunities for future research.Findings of this review revealed a gap in the literature regarding the accurate assessment of HRPF in patients with IBD and highlighted important methodological limitations of studies that evaluated physical activity or physical exercise training interventions.This scoping review is a step towards performing studies and systematic reviews in the future,which was not possible at present given the heterogeneity in endpoints and designs of the available studies on this topic.Future well-designed studies are required to determine the optimal training paradigm for improving HRPF in patients with IBD before guidelines can be developed and integrated into the therapeutic strategy.

Health Related Physical Fitness Measures: Reference Values and Predictive Equations for Saudi Female College Students

Health related-physical fitness (HRPF) is critical for maintaining and enhancing health and quality of life. Purposes: To estimate the reference values and predictive equations for frequently used clinical field HRPF measures in a sample of Saudi female college students aged 18 - 24 years. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, body fat percentage (BF %) was estimated. Curl-up test (CUT) and sit and reach test (SRT) were applied in 216 students. The Queen’s College Step Test (QCST) was used to predict maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max). Physical activity (PA) level was also measured using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results: The mean of BF %, SRT, CUT, and predicted VO2 max were 23.98% ± 6.13%, 17.10 ± 7.50 cm, 28.17 ± 7.72 number/min, and 39.58 ± 4.01 ml/kg/min respectively. There was no significant effect of age on all HRPF measures except for BF % (F (6,215) = 3.25, p (6,215) = 4.01, p strated that BMI was the predictor for BF % and SRT and explained 65% and 4% of total variance respectively. IPAQ score, age, and height were the predictors of CUT counting 17% of total variance. While, BMI and IPAQ score were the predictors for VO2 max and explained 13% of the total variance. Conclusion: Reference values can be used clinically in the evaluation of HRPF, in the rehabilitation process as well as in designing a program to improve the HRPF for female college students with consideration of age, height, BMI, and PA level for a particular population.

Impact of a 12-wk physical conditioning program on the aerobic capacity of aviation cadets

BACKGROUND Flight cadets need to have good physical fitness to cope with the challenges of flying missions.The continuous development of science and technology has led to the constant upgrading of fighter jets and the improvement of their performance,which has resulted in new and higher requirements for the physical fitness of flight personnel.The traditional physical training mode,method,and assessment have been used for many years and do not meet current fitness needs.AIM To investigate the impact of a 12-wk comprehensive anti-G fitness training program on the aerobic capacity of aviation cadets and to evaluate its effectiveness.METHODS Fifty-five cadets were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups using a randomized,single-blind design.The control group maintained their existing training regimen,while the experimental group participated in a 12-wk comprehensive training intervention.The training program comprised strength training twice per week,high-intensity interval training three times per week,and supplemental nutritional and psychological support.Maximal oxygen uptake(VO2max),lower limb strength,and hemoglobin levels were measured at baseline,at 6 wk and 12 wk post-intervention.RESULTS Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant differences of both VO2max and relative VO2 in both groups across time points(P<0.05).However,no significant time-group interaction was observed(P>0.05).Paired t-tests comparing baseline and 12-wk results showed that VO2max and relative VO2 were significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group(P<0.05).This suggests that the training program effectively enhanced the aerobic capacity of the experimental group.Key indicators of aerobic capacity,bilateral lower limb strength and hemoglobin levels,were also significantly different over time and between groups(P<0.05).No significant differences were noted in heart-rate metrics(P>0.05).CONCLUSION A 12-wk comprehensive anti-G fitness training program significantly improved the aerobic capacity of aviation cadets,thereby enhancing their overall capacity and laying a physiological foundation for enduring high-G flights.

试析发展学生“体适能”(physical fitness)在体育教学中的地位

通过文献资料法分析了"体适能"在学校体育教学中的地位,认为发展学生体适能必将引起教学目标、教学内容、教学方式和教学评价体系的改变;有利于课内外一体化教学的进程;也有利于"学生体质健康标准"的顺利实施。

Physical activity, physical fitness, and body mass index in the Chinese child and adolescent populations： An update from the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China The Youth Study

In this special issue of the Journal of Sport and Health Science, analyses of the most recent national prevalence esti- mates from the 2016 Physical Activity and Fimess in China-- The Youth Study （PAFCTYS） are presented. These include the prevalence of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity （MVPA）.

Physical activity,sedentary behaviors,physical fitness,and their relation to health outcomes in youth with type 1 and type 2 diabetes:A review of the epidemiologic literature

Diabetes is a leading chronic disease of childhood and adolescence. In addition to the well-known auto-immune, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus （type 1 diabetes （T 1D））, the past two decades have witnessed the emergence of type 2 diabetes （T2D） in children and adolescents, which previously was only seen in middle-aged or older adults. One of the key components of diabetes management is physical activity （PA）. The beneficial effects of increased PA and decreased sedentary behavior are extremely important in youth with diabetes because of the markedly increased long-term risk of cardiovascular disease in this population compared to persons without diabetes. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the epidemiologic, observational research published and listed in PubMed between 1970 and 2012 on PA and sedentary behaviors, as well as physical fitness in children and adolescents with T1D and T2D. Additionally, we describe briefly the state of knowledge on perceived barriers of PA in persons with diabetes, with a focus on hypoglycemia. Finally, we provide an overview of the epidemiological literature pertaining to health benefits of increased PA in youth with TID and T2D and briefly discuss the topic of exercise-related hypoglycemia, Copyright ~ 2012, Shanghai University of Sport. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chronic hepatitis B, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and physical fitness of military males: CHIEF study

AIM To investigate the association of chronic hepatitis B and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with physical fitness in a Taiwan Residents military male cohort.METHODS We made a cross-sectional examination of this association using 3669 young adult military males according to cardiorespiratory fitness and hospitalization events recorded in the Taiwan Armed Forces study. Cases of chronic hepatitis B(n = 121) were defined by personal history and positive detection of hepatitis B surface antigen. Cases of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(n = 129) were defined by alanine transaminase level > 60 U/L, liver ultrasound finding of steatosis, and absence of viral hepatitis A, B or C infection. All other study participants were defined as unaffected(n = 3419). Physical fitness was evaluated by performance in 3000-m run, 2-min sit-ups, and 2-min push-ups exercises, with all the procedures standardized by a computerized scoring system. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the relationship.RESULTS Chronic hepatitis B negatively correlated with 2-min push-up numbers(β =-2.49, P = 0.019) after adjusting for age, service specialty, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, current cigarette smoking, alcohol intake status, serum hemoglobin, and average weekly exercise times. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis was borderline positively correlated with 3000-m running time(β = 11.96, P = 0.084) and negatively correlated with 2-min sit-up numbers(β =-1.47, P = 0.040). CONCLUSION Chronic hepatitis B viral infection and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis affects different physical performances in young adult military males, and future study should determine the underlying mechanism.

Body Mass Index and Health Related Physical Fitness in Saudi Girls and Adolescents Aged 8 - 15 Years

Health related physical fitness (HRPF) is considered to be an indirect marker of a person’s health and wellbeing, reflecting the interplay and integration of many persons’ systems and body functions. Purpose: To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and HRPF in a national cross-sectional sample of Saudi girls and adolescents. Methods: Weight, height and four components of HRPF (body fat composition, strength and endurance, flexibility and cardio-respiratory fitness) were measured in three age groups [(8 - 10), (11 - 12) and (13 - 15) years]. Pearson correlation coefficient and regressions analysis using a non-linear quadratic model were used to evaluate the relationship between BMI and HRPF in three age groups. Results: The results revealed variable relationships among tests. Lower scores in body fat composition and cardio-respiratory fitness were associated with higher body mass indexes in each age group. Also lower scores in muscle strength and endurance were recorded in girls aged from 11 to 15 years. Relationships between BMI and flexibility differed among age groups. Conclusion: BMI significantly and differentially influenced individual HRPF, but effects varied with age. Higher body mass indexes were generally associated with lower HRPF. The level of HRPF determined by this study may serve as an indicator of potential health risks that overweight and obese children girls and adolescents faced.

Influence of exercise habits and physical fitness level on subjective fatigue symptoms in adolescent students

This study aimed to examine the influence of exercise habits and physical fitness level on subjective fatigue symptoms (SFS) in adolescent students. Four hundred and one healthy young male adults (age: 16.5 +/- 1.2 yr) participated in the physical fitness test of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan and responded to the questionnaire on exercise habits and SFS. SFS questionnaire was conducted 6 times with a week interval during the physical fitness test. SFS was compared among groups with different physical fitness levels and exercise habit. Significant differences were found in difficulty with concentrated thinking, languor and low vigor, with the high physical fitness group having lower values of the three fatigue factors than the low physical fitness group regardless of affiliation with sports club and gyms, exercise frequency and time. SFS is largely affected by physical fitness level but very little by exercise habits.

A longitudinal analysis of the U.S. Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps physical fitness assessment

Background:The U.S.Air Force physical fitness assessment(PFA)is used to determine the overall fitness of their personnel.It is currently unknown to what extent the PFA scores of Reserve Officers’Training Corps(ROTC)cadets are affected by mandatory physical training.The purpose of this investigation was to longitudinally examine the PFAs of ROTC cadets over a four-year period,evaluate the results across class ranks,and evaluate the sensitivity of the classification of the tests.Methods:Air Force ROTC cadets performed the PFAs(abdominal circumference,1-min pushups,1-min sit-ups,and a 1.5-mile run)in both the spring(n=26)and fall(n=22)semesters.PFAs were compiled over a four-year period(Spring 2014–Fall 2017)and were performed in accordance with Air Force Instruction 36–2905.A oneway repeated measures ANOVA was performed separately for the fall and spring groups for each dependent variable across the 4 years.Additionally,a one-way between groups ANOVA was performed for each dependent variable during the time point(fall 2015;n=46)with the most recorded cadets for each class rank.Results:Longitudinal assessments revealed a main effect of time(P=0.010)on abdominal circumference;cadets had a smaller abdominal circumference in their freshman year than in their senior year.A main effect of time(P=0.006)was also observed on sit-up quantity;cadets performed more sit-ups in their junior year than in their freshman year.Examining between class ranks during the same year(between-subjects ANOVA)revealed a main effect of class rank on sit-up quantity(P=0.003);the freshmen completed fewer repetitions than the sophomores(P=0.018)and the juniors did(P=0.001).Conclusions:The results indicated that only the sit-up component showed differences between class ranks.These findings suggest that the Air Force PFA may not be sensitive enough to detect changes in physical fitness or distinguish between class ranks regarding physical performance,even after years of training.This limitation may be in part due to the limited duration of training incorporated by the ROTC program(2 h per week),which provided a maintenance effect rather than improvement in physical performance.We recommend that more attention be directed to the efficacy of physical training,the sensitivity of measures included in the PFA,or both.

Prevalence of physical fitness in Chinese school-aged children： Findings from the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China -The Youth Study

Purpose： This study was to present the 2016 prevalence estimates of Chinese school-aged children meeting physical fitness standards and to examine differences by sex and residence locales in children who did not meet fitness standards. Methods： We conducted cross-sectional analyses of 171,991 children and adolescents （boy： 50.0%, Grades 1-12） who participated in the 2016 Physical Activity and Fitness in China--The Youth Study. The main outcomes were fitness measures, assessed by the 2014 revised Chinese National Student Physical Fitness Standard （CNSPFS）, covering areas of aerobic capacity, upper body strength, flexibility, body mass index, abdominal strength, and trunk strength. Children＇s overall physical fitness performance was categorized, per CNSPFS standards, as excellent, good, pass, or no pass. Data on the prevalence of physical fitness categories and not meeting fitness standards （i.e., among children who received a ＂no pass＂ mark） were analyzed, through logistic regression, by sex （boy, girl） and residence locales （urban, rural） across 3 school grades （primary, junior middle, and junior high）. Results： In 2016, 5.95% of Chinese children and adolescents achieved an ＂excellent＂ mark, 25.80% received a ＂good＂ rating, 59.90% received a ＂pass＂, and 8.35% received a ＂no pass＂. Overall, boys were more likely to not pass the fitness standards compared with girls （adjusted odds ratio （aOR） = 1.710; 95% confidence interval （CI）： 1.708-1.712） and children living in urban areas were more likely to not pass the standards than those living in rural areas （aOR = 1.298; 95%CI： 1.296-1.299）. Consistent patterns of not meeting fitness standards were also found by sex and residence locales across all 3 school grades. Conclusion： In the Chinese school-aged population, about 3 in 10 children achieved an ＂excellent＂ or ＂good＂ fitness standard in 2016, and about 8% of this population did not meet CNSPFS standards. Children living in urban areas were more likely to not meet minimum fitness performance levels, and boys in school were more likely to not meet minimum fitness performance levels than girls. 2017 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Shanghai University of Sport. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license （http：//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/）.

Occupation, Physical Fitness and Adiposity Markers among Security Guards and Students of Delhi University

Physical fitness and health are reciprocal to each other and examining adiposity is an important parameter to assess physical fitness. The present study examines the relationship between different adiposity markers and physical fitness based on occupation. A cross sectional sample of 82 security guards (mean age: 36.86 ± 8.72) and 43 students (mean age: 23.4 ± 3.86) of Delhi University were studied. Anthropometric measurements (height, body weight, waist and hip circumference) and socio-demographic characteristics were ascertained. Body composition parameters (body fat percentage, fat mass, fat free mass, muscle mass, total body water, bone mass and visceral fat) were assessed by bioelectric-impedance method using Tanita Body Composition Analyzer (BCA). Harvard step test was performed to test the physical fitness using Rapid Fitness Index. Student’s t test was used to compare the physical fitness and adiposity markers between the security guards and the students. ANOVA was used to categorize the level of physical fitness with adiposity markers amongst the two groups. As RFI scores decreased, mean value of body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, MUAC, fat mass, visceral fat and BMI increased among the security guards showing a trend which indicates that with an increase in adiposity, the tendency to perform physical work decreases. However, no consistent trend as such was observed amongst the students between the RFI categories. Nevertheless, Delhi University students were found to be more physically fit than the security guards that may be attributable to the differences in their leisure time physical activity preferences and occupational workloads besides the underlying genetic, metabolic or dietary influences. Workplace interventions to reduce occupational sitting among the university security guards may boost cardiorespiratory fitness in the long run.

Preventive fraction of physical fitness on risk factors in cardiac patients:Retrospective epidemiological study

AIM To quantify the preventive fraction of physical fitness on the risk factors in patients with cardiovascular diseases(CVDs).METHODS A total of 249 subjects(205 men and 44 women) suffering from CVD were categorized into four groups, according to their percentage of physical fitness. We calculated the odds ratio to obtain the preventive fraction in order to evaluate the impact of the physical fitness level on the risk factors(i.e., abdominal obesity, depression, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, overweight and smoking).RESULTS It is observed that a normal physical fitness level is sufficient to induce a preventive action on abdominal obesity(38%), diabetes(12%), hypertension(33%), obesity(12%) and overweight(11%). Also, the preventive fraction increases with the level of physical fitness, in particular for hypertension(36%) and overweight(16%). A high physical fitness level does not necessarily induce a preventive action in most risk factors, excluding depression. CONCLUSION This is the first study which demonstrates that reaching a normal physical fitness level is enough to induce a protection for some risk factors, despite having a CVD.

Correlation between the results of three physical fitness tests(endurance,strength,speed) and the output measured during a bicycle ergometer test in a cohort of military servicemen

Background: Physical fitness tests are widely used to assess endurance,sprint ability,coordination and/or strength.The objective of the present study was to analyze the degree to which the results of the Bundeswehr Basis Fitness Test(BFT)–a physical fitness test comprising a sprint test(11×10-m shuttle test),a flexed-arm hang test and a 1000-m run–are consistent with the output measured during a bicycle ergometer test.The number of false-positive and falsenegative results with regard to the assessment of physical fitness were also examined.Methods: As part of a retrospective study,health assessments from 323 reenlistment examinations were evaluated regarding the output measured during a bicycle ergometer test and compared with the BFT results of the candidates.Results: Overall,a good correlation was shown between the bicycle ergometer test results and the results achieved in the BFT disciplines.All three disciplines of the BFT showed a highly significant correlation with the relative output achieved during the bicycle ergometer test(P<0.001),and also,the overall BFT score was highly significantly correlated(P<0.001).The overall rate of false-positive and false-negative results was 4.0%.Conclusion: The BFT results measured in the three physical fitness test items were highly correlated with the output measured during the bicycle ergometer tests.The rate of false-positive and false-negative results was low.The test items thus represent an appropriate measurement instrument because the test items require few equipment and less time.Additionally,a large number of subjects can be assessed.We suggest that it would be more useful to assess the physical fitness of this special group exclusively on the basis of the BFT instead of using the bicycle ergometer test.

The Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training on Basal Metabolism and Physical Fitness in Sedentary Women

Objective: Aerobic exercises are the basic activity on fight against obesity. And obesity is related with metabolic rate. So our study is aimed to investigate the effects of 8 weeks aerobic exercise on basal metabolic rate and physical parameters. Methods: Sedentary women between the ages of 35 - 45 (n = 40) were randomized into control group (CG) (n = 20) and exercise group (EG) (n = 20). EG underwent 8 weeks of aerobic-run-walk exercise training: 3 days a week, 1 hour sessions. The CG was not trained. Basal metabolic rate (BMR), body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), body fat percentage (BFP), body fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM) were measured for all of the subjects before and after the training program. Results: Mean BMR decreased from 1386 ± 213.6 kcal to 1327 ± 253.7 in CG, and raised from 1308 ± 201.8 to 1409 ± 218.3 kcal in EG. While BMI raised from 31.39 ± 6.15 kg/m2 to 31.51 ± 6.09 kg/m2 in CG, it decreased from 29.62 ± 3.78 kg/m2 to 28.47 ± 3.74 kg/m2 in EG. There was also statistically significant difference in parameters of WHR, BFP, FM and LBM in favour of EG (p < 0.05). Conclusion: After 8 weeks aerobic exercise training program, there was a statistically significant difference in favour of EG in BMR, BMI, BFP, FM, LBM, WHR and weight parameters.

Physical activity,fitness and all-cause mortality:An 18-year follow-up among old people

Background：Little is known about change in physical activity（PA） and its relationship to all-cause mortality among old people.There is even less information about the association between PA,fitness and all-cause mortality among people aged 80 years and above.The objective is to investigate persistence and change in PA over 5 years as a predictor of all-cause mortality,and fitnes as a mediator of this association,among people aged 80 and 85 years at the beginning of an 18-year mortality follow-up period.Methods：Using Evergreen Project data（started in 1989）,4 study groups were formed according to self-reported changes in PA level,over a 5-year period（starting in 1989–1990 and ending in 1994–1995）：remained active（RA,control group）,changed to inactive（CI）,remained inactive（RI）,and changed to active（CA）.Mortality was followed up over the 18-year period（1994–2012）.Cox models with different covariates such as age,sex,use of alcohol,smoking,chronic diseases,and a 10 m walking test were used to analyze the association between change in PA level and mortality.Results：Compared to RA,those who decreased their PA level（CI） between baseline and follow-up had higher all-cause mortality（hazard ratio（HR=2.09;95%CI：1.63–2.69） when adjusted for age,gender,and chronic diseases.RI showed the highest all-cause mortality（HR = 2.16;95%CI：1.59–2.93）.In CA,when compared against RA,the risk of all-cause mortality was not statistically significan（HR=1.51;95%CI：0.95–2.38）.In comparison with RA,when walking speed over 10 m was added as a covariate,all-cause mortality risk was almost statistically significan only in CI（HR=1.37;95%CI：1.00–1.87）.Conclusion：Persistence and change in PA level was associated with mortality.This association was largely explained by fitnes status.Randomized controlled studies are needed to test whether maintaining or increasing PA level could lengthen the life of old people.

Relationships between Tongue and Lip Movement and Physical Fitness among Independent Community-Dwelling Elderly in Japan

Aim: The present study aims to examine the association between tongue and lip movement and physical fitness with a sample of independent community-dwelling elderly. Methods: A total of 119 older adults living in a city of Japan participated in this study. Tongue and lip movement was evaluated with oral diadochokinesis (ODK) rate for the syllable “pa”, “ta”, and “ka” measured by counting syllable repetitions within one second. Physical fitness was objectively evaluated with the Timed-Up and Go Test (TUG) and the 30-Second Chair Stand Test (CS-30). Subjective physical fitness was also assessed with a Physical Component Summary score (PCS) of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Partial correlation coefficients between ODK rates and physical fitness measures were obtained after adjusting the effects of age and the number of present teeth. Results: There were significant differences in ODK rates for the syllable “ta” and “ka” between the participants aged 65 - 74 and 75 or older. Significant differences in all the physical fitness measures were also observed in the two age groups. Partial correlation analysis with age and number of present teeth as covariates yielded significant correlations of ODK rates to TUG and PCS, but not with CS-30. Conclusion: Older adults whose functional mobility declined tended to maintain the movement of tongue and lips. Moreover, those who perceived declining physical fitness also tended to show a decline of tongue and lip movement. Thus, the present study added some knowledge on the relationships between general physical fitness and tongue and lip movement. It also made several suggestions for future interventions based on the findings.

Workplace Health Interventions and Physical Fitness Status among Managers of Small-Scale Enterprises in Norway and Sweden

Background: The ability of managers of small-scale enterprises (SSEs) to prioritize health, working conditions, and their own physical fitness is an important issue for workplace health promotion in Norway and Sweden, where most owner-manager positions are in SSEs. Aim: To assess the physical fitness status of SSE managers compared to a norm population and to study changes in physical fitness status, self-reported physical activity, and sickness outcomes after workplace health interventions. Methods: The study allocated SSE managers to either an intervention or a reference group. The intervention, over twelve months, consisted of motivational input related to lifestyle and physical activity through tests and feedback, individual support, and courses on health and psychosocial working conditions. The participants (N = 28) completed health screening checks, questionnaires and testing before and after the intervention. Results: SSE managers in the study had positive outcomes for BMI levels and strength compared to the norm population, while percentage of fat for both men and women indicated poor results. There were no further improvements in the intervention group after comparison with the reference group. Separately, both groups seemed to improve strength and body composition. Conclusion: Workplace health interventions with essentially motivational components may increase SSE managers’ attention to physical fitness, but appear to have limited effects on objective and subjective physical fitness outcomes.