Physical fitness in relation to later body composition in pre-school children

Objectives Although physical fitness is considered a marker of health in youth, little is known whether physical fitness in pre-school age is related to later body composition. Thus, this study investigated (i) associations of physical fitness at 4.5 years of age with body composition 12 months later and (ii) whether improvements in physical fitness during the 12-month follow-up were associated with changes in body composition. Design This study included 142 children, measured at 4.5 and 5.5 years, from the control group of the MINISTOP trial. Methods Physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, lower- and upper-body muscular strength and motor fitness) was measured using the PREFIT test ba…