Influence of physical fitness components on personality factors and risk perception of children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the associations of cardiorespiratory fitness (VO₂ max) and muscular strength with indicators related to the risk scale, such as perceived competence, sensation seeking, competitiveness, risk taking and risk perception in sports.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: High schools from the Region of Murcia (Spain).

Participants: Three-hundred-and-seventeen adolescents participated (mean age: 13.69±1.2 years old).

Primary and secondary outcome measures: Body mass, body height, Course-Navette test, upper limb strength and psychoeducational factors that determine the propensity towards sports accidents in school children, the Sports Accident Propensity Scale were evaluated. It was performance t-test for independent samples, stepwise multiple linear regression models and a multiple mediation analysis.

Results: The analysis showed significant differences with respect to sex in height, VO₂ max, handgrip strength and in all factors of the questionnaire (p=0.02-<0.01). Adolescents who presented greater VO₂ max, strength in the handgrip test and age showed a higher score in factors 1 and 3. Higher scores in factor 2 were associated with better VO₂ max and strength in handgrip test. Youngers and better values of strength in the handgrip showed higher score in factors 4 and 5. The mediation analysis with two mediating variables (handgrip strength and VO₂ max) showed a significant indirect effect. When handgrip strength and VO₂ max were included in the equations, the association between sex and each factor ceased to be significant.

Conclusion: This study highlights the potential benefits of muscular strength (handgrip) and VO₂ max in the perceived risk scale, and the variable of age on this.

Trial registration number: Clinical trial: NCT05544370 (pre-results).

Keywords: Child protection; PAEDIATRICS; PREVENTIVE MEDICINE; QUALITATIVE RESEARCH; Quality of Life; SPORTS MEDICINE.