Relationship of cardiorespiratory fitness with screen time and physical activity in adolescents

Objective: To determine the correlation of cardiorespiratory fitness with screen time and physical activity in healthy adolescents.

Methods: The analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at the Foundation University, Islamabad, Pakistan, from February to July 2019, and comprised healthy adolescents aged 11-17 years of both genders who were enrolled from various schools of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Cardiorespiratory fitness was evaluated through YMCA 3 min Step test, physical activity levels were evaluated using physical activity questionnaire for adolescents, and screen time was evaluated using Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence screen time questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 21.

Results: Of the 250 adolescents, 128(51.2%) were males and 122(48.8%) were females. The overall mean age was 14.24±2.177 years (range: 11-17 years). There was no significant correlation between cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity (p=0.15), and between cardiorespiratory fitness and screen time (p=0.58).

Conclusions: There was found to be no significant correlation between cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity, and between cardiorespiratory fitness and screen time in healthy adolescents.