Int J Sports Med 2018; 39(09): 674-681
DOI: 10.1055/a-0599-6432
Behavioural Sciences
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Sport Participation and Metabolic Risk During Adolescent Years: A Structured Equation Model

André Oliveira Werneck
1   Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho – Physical Education, Campus de Presidente Prudente, Presidente Prudente, Brazil
,
Danilo Rodrigues Pereira da Silva
2   Departament of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe – UFS, São Cristóvão, Brazil
,
Rômulo Araújo Fernandes
3   Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho - Physical Education, Campus de Presidente Prudente, Presidente Prudente, Brazil
,
Enio Ricardo Vaz Ronque
4   Study and Research Group in Physical Activity and Exercise (GEPAFE), State University Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
,
Manuel J. Coelho-e-Silva
5   University of Coimbra, uid/dtp/04213/2016 Coimbra, Portugal
,
Edilson Serpeloni Cyrino
6   Study and Research Group in Metabolism, Nutrition, and Exercise (GEPEMENE), State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted 06 March 2018

Publication Date:
21 June 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Sports practice during childhood can influence health indicators in later ages through direct and indirect pathways. Thus, this study aimed to test direct and indirect pathways to the association between sports practice in childhood and metabolic risk in adolescence, adopting physical activity, adiposity, and cardiorespiratory fitness at adolescence as potential mediators. This cross-sectional study with retrospective information was conducted with 991 adolescents (579 girls, 412 boys) aged 10 to 16 y. Sports activity was self-reported in childhood (retrospective data) and physical activity evaluated in adolescence through questionnaires. Somatic maturation (Mirwald method), cardiorespiratory fitness (20-m shuttle-run test), body fat (skinfolds), waist circumference, blood pressure (automatic instrument) and blood variables (fasting glucose, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides) were measured at adolescence. Waist circumference, blood pressure and blood variables composed the metabolic risk score. Structured equation modeling was adopted. In both sexes, the relationship between sports practice at childhood and metabolic risk was fully mediated by habitual physical activity, which is related to the obesity construct and cardiorespiratory fitness. Obesity was associated with metabolic risk in boys (β=0.062; p<0.001) and girls (β=0.047; p<0.001). The relationship between sports practice in childhood and metabolic risk in adolescence was mediated by physical activity, obesity, and cardiorespiratory fitness.