Die verband tussen fisieke aktiwiteit en fisieke fiksheid van dertien- tot vyftienjarige seuns van verskillende bevolkingsgroepe in die Noordwes Provinsie

Abstract

Sufficient physical fitness and physical activity during the childhood years are being emphasised more and more, because it can serve as a protective b u l b against health-related illnesses, improve aerobic fitness and can lower the risk of cardiovascular illnesses. The purpose of this study was to analyse the physical activity patterns and physical fitness levels of thirteen to fifteen year old boys in the North West Province and to determine whether there are any relationship between their physical fitness and high, medium and low physical fitness activity levels. Secondly the purpose was to determine whether there also are different relationships between the physical activity levels and physical fitness of thirteen to fifteen year old boys in the different racial groups who live in the North West Province. A total of 266 thirteen to fifteen year old boys from the North West Province were randomly chosen to participate in the study. The physical activity patterns of all the boys in each racial group were analysed in order to explain their physical activity levels. The Previous Day Physical Activity Recall questionnaire (PDPAR) (Trost et al., 1999) was used to determine the type of activities that they participate in, the duration and the intensity thereof. A physical fitness battery was used to determine arm shoulder strength, grip strength. flexibility, aerobic fitness and body composition. The results analysed by Statistica and SAS revealed that the fifteen year old boys were the most active during the week while the thirteen year olds were the most active during the weekend. The sedimentary activities which contributed the most lo the physical activity classification are watching TV, sleeping and computer games. Further results showed that low activity levels were found with 43% of boys during the week as opposed to 29% during the weekend with 10% high activity during the week and 11% during the weekend. Higher physical activity contributed to better strength and there is a clear connection between good aerobic capacity and high activity levels, as well as the fact that higher activity levels have positive outcomes on strength, which confirms the health benefits of regular participation in physical activities.