Association of aerobic capacity and muscular strength with health-related quality of life in adolescents: A school-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The independent associations of aerobic capacity and muscular strength on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), when mutually adjusted, remain understudied, particularly in adolescents. Aim: To examine the association between aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and HRQoL in adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed, including 202 Brazilian adolescents. Aerobic capacity was assessed using the PACER test and categorized into “healthy zone”, “needs improvement”, and “at risk”. Muscle strength was evaluated through field tests, including the 90º push-up, and categorized as “healthy zone” or “needs improvement”. HRQoL was measured using the validated KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire. A generalized gamma regression model was used to estimate coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals for HRQoL domains, adjusting mutually for aerobic capacity and muscle strength as predictors. Results: In the physical domain, adolescents with aerobic capacity in the healthy zone (β=11.2; p0.05). Conclusion: Adequate levels of aerobic capacity and muscle strength are positively associated with HRQoL, particularly in the physical and psychological well-being domains among adolescents.

Keywords

• Adolescent health
• Cardiorespiratory fitness
• HRQoL
• Physical fitness
• Psychological well-being