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Purpose : Tracking of physical activity (PA) and sport participation (SP) during motherhood is poorly understood. The purpose of the study was to analyze the extent of tracking of maternal PA and SP. Methods : In this investigation, data were collected from the Czech ELSPAC study subsample of 4811 and 2609 women measured postnatally (1991-1992) and after 11 years of follow-up (2002-2003), respectively. The structured questionnaire was used to assess the participation and average weekly time spent in PA, and the frequency of engaging in different sports (running, cycling, strength training, racket sports, swimming, and team sports). Tracking was calculated using generalized estimating equations (GEE) with beta coefficients (β), odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results : Moderately high tracking coefficients were observed for cycling (β = 0.69, 95% 0.67-0.72), strength training (β = 0.59, 95% 0.56-0.63), and weekly time spent in PA (β = 0.53, 95% 0.38-0.66); meanwhile, moderate tracking coefficients were generated for swimming (β = 0.48, 95% 0.44-0.52), team sports (β = 0.44, 95% 0.39-0.48), racket sports (β = 0.44, 95% 0.39-0.48), and running (β = 0.35, 95% 0.30-0.40). Mothers who did not participate in PA at baseline were 81% more likely not to participate in it at follow-up (OR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.53-2.13). Conclusion : Cycling- and strength-related activities and weekly PA were tracked moderately-to-moderately high during motherhood. Moreover, the strong tracking of physical inactivity indicates that the detection of this risk factor before pregnancy should be advocated.

Background . The main purpose of this study was to explore the body-mass index and waist circumference associated with physical fitness by gender. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, we included 1036 adolescents (55.4% girls) from eight randomly selected secondary schools within the city of Zagreb (Croatia). Body-mass index and waist circumference were objectively measured. Physical fitness included three tests: (1) 1 min sit-ups, (2) standing long jump and (3) a sit-and-reach test. Associations were calculated using linear regression models. Results. Boys had higher body-mass index and waist circumference values, compared to girls ( p < 0.001). They also performed better in 1 min sit-ups and the standing long jump tests ( p < 0.001), while girls obtained higher values in the sit-and-reach test ( p < 0.001). In boys, body-mass index and waist circumference were associated with 1 min sit-ups and the standing long jump. In girls, waist circumference was also associated with 1 min sit-ups and the standing long jump, while body-mass index was only associated with this standing long jump. Conclusions. Our study shows that anthropometric indices have non-linear associations with physical fitness tests in a large sample of Croatian adolescents. Screening for thinness and obesity to predict the level of physical fitness should be of a great interest.

Background : The main aim of the study was to explore the association between objectively measured physical fitness and the level of pain intensity. Methods : In this cross-sectional study, we included 1036 adolescents (m age ± SD = 16.3 ± 1.1 years; m height ± SD = 1.74 ± 0.1 m; m weight ± SD = 64.7 ± 12.4 kg; m body ± SD = 21.3 ± 3.0 kg/m -mass index ± SD = 21.3 ± 3.0 kg/m 2 ) from 11 secondary schools located in the city of Zagreb (Croatia). Physical fitness was determined by using waist circumference, sit-ups in 1 min, standing long jump and sit-and-reach tests. Overall physical fitness index was calculated by summing the z -score values of each physical fitness test. The level of pain intensity was assessed with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, a one-dimensional measure of pain intensity. Associations were calculated with correlation analyses. Results : In boys, pain intensity was associated with sit-ups in 1 min ( r = -0.16, p < 0.001), standing long jump ( r = -0.14, p = 0.003) and overall physical fitness index ( r = -0.13, p = 0.004), while no significant associations with waist circumference ( r = 0.04, p = 0.438) and sit-and-reach test ( r = -0.01, p = 0.822) were observed. In girls, pain intensity was associated with standing long jump ( r = -0.17, p < 0.001) and overall physical fitness index ( r = -0.10, p = 0.018), while no significant associations with waist circumference ( r = 0.01, p = 0.735), sit-ups in 1 min ( r = -0.06, p = 0.126) and sit-and-reach test ( r = -0.05, p = 0.232) were observed. When we adjusted for self-rated health, sleep duration, smoking status, alcohol consumption, screen-time and psychological distress, similar associations remained. Conclusion s : Our study shows a weak association between physical fitness and pain intensity in a large sample of adolescents. Although a cross-sectional design, health-professionals should use physical fitness as a screening tool to assess the level of pain intensity., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Purpose: The main purpose of the present study was to establish percentile curves for body-mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and WHtR(exp) in adolescents., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 1036 secondary-school students aged 15 to 18 years from eight randomly selected schools (55.3% girls). BMI, WC, WHtR and WHtR(exp) were calculated using standardized measuring protocol. The sex- and age-specific smoothed percentile curves with 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th percentile for each anthropometric measure were constructed using Cole's LMS method., Results: In boys, both BMI and WC percentile curves increased by age, yet the 95th percentile curve for WHtR and WHtR(exp) decreased by age. In girls, the 95th percentile curve for BMI remained unchanged through the age of 15 to 18 years, yet the 90th and 95th percentile curves for WC and WHtR decreased by age., Conclusion: This is the first study in Croatia to establish combined BMI, WC, WHtR and WHtR(exp) percentile curves and add some new insight on anthropometric measures in 15- to 18-year-old adolescents.