| dc.description.abstract | The aim of this master's project was to investigate changes in physical activity levels and
relative physical fitness among Norwegian children over a period of 10 years. 55 six year old
Norwegian children were tested using a comprehensive test battery from Fjørtoft et al (2011).
A questionnaire that was used to answer research questions referred to physical activity and
sport participation. The same tests and measurements were performed at 13 years (n = 45) and
16 years (n = 34), (i.e. seven and ten years later, respectively). Experienced parental support
in terms of participation in physical activity was also measured.
The sample was divided into three groups (high, medium, and low relative physical fitness)
according to performance at six years (mean standardized (z) score based on nine subtests).
One-Way Anova with Bonferonni post hoc test was used to examine possible group
differences in relative physical fitness at the age of 13 and 16.
Results revealed that individuals with high relative physical fitness at age six had statistical
significantly higher relative physical fitness seven years later compared with those with low
relative physical fitness at age six. After 10 years there was no significant difference.
Furthermore, we saw that the relative physical fitness at age six predicted 44 percent (R2) of
the relative physical fitness at age 13, and 23 percent (R2) at age 16. Regarding the
relationship between perceived parental support, physical activity level and relative physical
fitness, there was no significant relationship. The registration of participation in organized
sports indicates a decline from 13 years to 16 years.
Keywords: Physical fitness, physical activity, change, parenting support and sports | nb_NO |
