The relationship between sports engagement, body mass index and physical abilities in children

Abstract

Hypokinesia, which is a consequence of modern technological development, is now one of the three biggest health risk factors. Whereas physical inactivity and obesity in adults is subject of concern, these factors in children presage an even greater public health problem because many health-related problems and life-threatening diseases begin in childhood and adolescence. It has been noted that regular physical activity modulates vascular endothelial function via an eff ect on basal nitric oxide (NO) production, thus leading to a signifi cant reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular disease (1). Exercise can also increase energy expenditure and can create a negative energy balance. Conversely, scientifi c data regarding the effect of school-based physical activity interventions on body LETTER TO THE EDITOR PISMO UREDNIKU LETTER TO THE EDITOR PISMO UREDNIKU Received/Primljen: 21. 05. 2010. Accepted/Prihvacen: 11. 04. 2011. mass index (BMI) in children are confl icting (2, 3). Moreover, there is insuffi cient clinically useful scientifi c data on BMI in children and its possible association with motor skills. With both sexes, motor abilities improve from physical development in adolescents, and regular sports training infl uences fi tness and motor abilities. Th e aim of our study was to evaluate the morphological status and physical abilities of 13-year-old children in order to investigate the relationship between sports engagement, BMI and physical abilities. Th e results of our study should give coaches important parameters in the selection of young athletes, as well as provide them with information that may be useful in training and programming assignments.