title: Soil-transmitted helminth infections and physical fitness in school-aged Bulang children in southwest China: results from a cross-sectional survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections have been associated with reduced physical fitness, but available evidence is limited. The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to assess the feasibility of measuring children's physical fitness and to relate it to STH infections. Our study was carried out among school-aged children of the Bulang ethnic group in rural southwest People's Republic of China (P.R. China). Standardized, quality-controlled methods were employed to determine STH infections (Kato-Katz technique), haemoglobin levels, anthropometry (body weight and height) and physical fitness (20-m shuttle run test).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A compliance of 87% suggested good acceptance of the methods used. Among 69 children with complete data records, infection prevalence of Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm were 81%, 44% and 6%, respectively. The maximum volume of oxygen that can be utilized within 1 min during exhaustive exercise (VO₂ max estimate) of T. trichiura-infected children was 1.94 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹ lower than that of their non-infected counterparts (P = 0.005). Until exhaustion, T. trichiura-infected children had completed 6.14 20-m laps less (P = 0.004). Additionally, the mean VO₂ max estimate of stunted children was lowered by 1.63 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹ (P = 0.002) and they completed 5.32 20-m laps less (P = 0.001) compared to children of normal stature. No significant association between stunting and infection with any STH species could be established.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementation of physical fitness tests in rural, resource-constraint settings is feasible. The physical fitness of children who are stunted or infected with STHs, particularly T. trichiura, is significantly impaired. We have launched a larger study and will determine the dynamics of school-aged children's physical fitness over a 7-month period after administration of anthelminthic drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Peiling
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yap
authors.forename: Zun-Wei
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Li-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Fang-Wei
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xue-Zhong
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Xiao-Nong
authors.initials: XN
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Jürg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Utzinger
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Steinmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins