Objectives: Muscle-strengthening activity (MSE e.g. push-ups, sit-ups, use of weight machines) is linked to multiple health benefits for youth, and is part of the global physical activity guidelines for children and adolescents (5-17 years). However, MSE is rarely assessed in youth health surveillance. This study describes the longitudinal trends and predictors of MSE among a cohort of Canadian youths.
Design: Longitudinal.
Methods: Data were drawn from a cohort of 3366 youths who participated in three waves of COMPASS, a longitudinal study of secondary school students across Canada [Wave 1 (T1) 2015/16, Wave 2 (T2) 2016/17, Wave 3 (T3) 2018/19]. The prevalence of the sample meeting the MSE guideline (≥3 days/week) was calculated for each wave. A multivariable logistic regression assessed the odds of meeting the MSE guideline for each wave (T1 and T2 and T3) across sociodemographic/lifestyle characteristics (e.g. sex, race, regionally, Body Mass Index, and aerobic physical activity).
Results: For the total sample, MSE guideline adherence significantly declined across each study wave (T1 = 57.0%; T2 = 52.0%; T3 = 48.5%; p < 0.001 for linear trend). Population sub-groups less likely to meet the guideline at each wave included females, youth who were underweight or obese, those reporting insufficient aerobic physical activity, those from large urban settings, and youth who identify as Asian.
Conclusions: Among a large sample of Canadian youths, approximately half met the MSE guideline, with this prevalence declining over time. Large-scale MSE interventions are needed to address the low and decreasing adherence to this key modifiable health-related behavior among Canadian youths.
Keywords: Adolescent health; Cohort; Resistance exercise; Strength training.
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