Effects of a regular motor activity on somatic and fitness variables in boys aged 17 - 18 years

• Authors: Joanna Piotrowska
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Study aim: To assess the somatic and fitness changes in semisedentary boys persuaded to undertake Nordic Walking activities throughout a school year.Material and methods: Two groups of schoolboys aged 17 - 18 years were studied: regularly attending physical education (PE) classes (Group A; n = 46) and those who avoided PE classes by submitting sick note ors excuses signed by parents (Group N; n = 29). The latter ones undertook Nordic Walking training (3 sessions a week throughout the school year). Group A undertook no motor activities except regular PE classes. At the beginning (Pre) and at the end of the study (Post) all boys were subjected to 7 fitness tests: 50-m run (50 m), shuttle run 4×10 m (SR4), 1000-m run (LDR), sit-ups (SUP), standing broad jump (SBJ), pull-ups (PUP) and stand-and-reach (STR).Results: Mean Post-Pre changes in Group N evidenced significant improvements, compared with Group A, in most studied variables - body mass, body fat content, 50-m dash velocity, PUP, SUP, STR, SR4 velocity, no significant, unfavourable changes being noted.Conclusions: Nordic Walking, being an attractive form of activity, may be an easy way to encourage people to undertake motor activities thus improving the health status.

Keywords

EN

Nordic Walking; Motor fitness; Physical activity

• Publisher: Versita
• Journal: Biomedical Human Kinetics
• Year: 2011
• Volume: 3
• Pages: 53-56

Dates

published

1 - 1 - 2011

online

23 - 5 - 2011

Contributors

author

Joanna Piotrowska

• Warsaw Academy of Tourism, Food and Hospitality, Warsaw, Poland

References

• Church T.S., C.P. Earnest, G.M. Morss (2002) Field testing of physiological responses associated with Nordic Walking. Res. Q. Exerc. Sport 73:296-300.
• INWA Instructor Manual (2009) 5th ed.
• Jopkiewicz A. (2007) The importance of physical fitness in the promotion of health Man Zeszyty Naukowe ALMAMER 3 (47).
• Morss G.M., T.S. Church, C.P. Earnest, A.N. Jordan (2001) Field test comparing the metabolic cost of normal walking versus Nordic Walking. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 33:S23.
• Piech K., B. Raczyńska (2010) Nordic Walking - a versatile physical activity. Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism 17:69-78.
• Przewda R., J. Dobosz (2007) Growth and Physical Fitness of Polish Youths. AWF Warsaw.
• Stupnicki R., J. Dobosz, P. Tomaszewski, K. Milde (2005) Standardisation of somatic and fitness variables. Phys. Educ. Sport 49:72-79.
• Willson J., M. Torry, M. Decker, T. Kernozek, J. Steadman (2001) Effects of walking poles on lower extremity gait mechanics. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 33:142-147.
• World Health Organization (1990) Prevention in childhood and youth of adult cardiovascular diseases: time for action (WHO Technical Report Series, No. 792).
• Young M.L. (1985) World Health Organization Switzerland. Estimation of fitness and physical ability physical performance, and self-concept among adolescent J. Sport Med. 25: 50-144.

Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/v10101-011-0011-8