A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Physical Fitness (2019)

Haga, M., Haapala, E. A., & Sigmundsson, H. (2019). Physical Fitness. In S. Hupp, & J. Jewell (Eds.), The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119171492.wecad032

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Haga, Monika; Haapala, Eero A.; Sigmundsson, Hermundur

Parent publication: The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development

Parent publication editors: Hupp, Stephen; Jewell, Jeremy

ISBN: 978-1-119-16189-9

eISBN: 978-1-119-17149-2

Publication year: 2019

Number of pages in the book: 5536

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119171492.wecad032

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Additional information: Painettu hakuteos on 10 osainen, joista jokaisella osalla on myös oma ISBN ja toimittajat. Tämä artikkeli osassa: Volume 1: Growth in Childhood, Volume Editors: Brett R. Kuhn & Gail C. Robertson, ISBN 978-1-119-60313-9.

Abstract

Physical fitness (PF) is an important factor in child development as it is regarded as a predictor of central health outcomes and positively associated with cognition and brain health. Central PF components in children include cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, muscular fitness, speed/agility, and body composition. There is a strong association between motor competence and young people's PF and physical activity levels. Individuals who master different movements and have a comprehensive motor repertoire tend to have an improved basis for participation in various physical activity play, sports, and games, and as a consequence increase their fitness levels. Moreover, PF seems to be associated with cognitive functioning and brain health in childhood as children with better PF outperform their peers with lower levels of fitness in cognitive and academic tasks. There is a concern that children do not participate in a sufficient amount of physical activity and that engagement in sedentary behavior is increasing. Therefore, children should be encouraged and given opportunities to learn and develop different motor skills and PF components through versatile functional activities and play.

Keywords: children (age groups); health; motor skills (general); physical activity; physical fitness

Free keywords: health; motor competence; physical activity; physical fitness

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2019

JUFO rating: 2