Adolescent Fitness

It has been shown that reduced physical activity in childhood and adolescence leads to high probability of heart problems in adulthood. Physical activity definitely has a beneficial effect on the health of young people.

A recently published study by Beets and Pitetti confirms that high school students who only do physical education (PE) as part of their curriculum have less cardiovascular fitness than those who take both PE and participate in school sponsered sports (SSS). SSS allows teenagers to be more physically active for longer durations, therefore giving making them heart healthier.

It seems however, that younger adolescents (12-15) are more likely to engage in vigorous activity than older adolescents (15-18). Older adolescents tend to behave more like adults, and often do not choose to take PE in later high school years.

The study "Contribution of Physical Education and Sport to Health-Related Fitness in High School Students", was published in Journal of School Health, 0022-4391, January 1, 2005, Vol. 75, Issue 1.