title: Examining the utility of thresholds for aerobic fitness related to resting blood pressure and BMI in Portuguese children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the utility of the Ruiz et al. cut-points when examining body mass index (BMI) and resting blood pressure in young people.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred fifty-six children (154 girls and 102 boys) aged 7-16 years underwent assessment of BMI, physical maturation, resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and cardiorespiratory fitness using breath by breath gas analysis during treadmill testing to exhaustion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results from a series of 2 (fit vs. unfit) × 2 (gender) ways analysis of covariance, controlling for maturation indicated higher SBP in the unfit group compared to the fit group (P = 0.001), higher DBP in the unfit group compared to the fit group (P = 0.04) and higher BMI (in unfit) than fit children (P = 0.0001). Males had significantly higher BMI than females (P = 0.04). Maturation as a covariate was significantly and positively associated with SBP (P = 0.003), DBP (P = 0.004), and BMI (P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that the Ruiz et al. cut-points are valid in distinguishing between children with higher and lower BMI and resting BP values.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomolecular and Sports Science, Coventry University, Coventry, West Midlands, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Clarice
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: José Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Andreia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pizarro
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aires
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011174:Portugal