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BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
Published in: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Normative values for musculoskeletal- and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy Norwegian adults and the association with obesity: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Ingirid Geirsdatter Heald Kjær, Monica Klungland Torstveit, Elin Kolle, Bjørge Herman Hansen, Sigmund Alfred Anderssen

Published in: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Up-to-date research on musculoskeletal- and neuromotor fitness (MSMF) is lacking. The aims of the present paper were to a) establish normative values of MSMF by gender and age, and b) to assess how much of the variance in MSMF can be explained by obesity in adults.

Methods

A random selection of 726 Norwegians (20–65 years) participated in a national cross-sectional study. Muscular endurance, muscular strength, explosive power, flexibility and balance were assessed in addition to waist circumference (WC).

Results

Females displayed significantly higher scores compared to males on muscular endurance of the back extensors and on the flexibility tests (p < 0.001). Males displayed significantly higher scores than females (p < 0.001) on handgrip strength, modified push-ups, and explosive power. An inverse association was found between age and all MSMF scores for females (Beta:−0.06–(−0.92), p ≤ 0.044) and males (Beta:−0.15–(0.91), p ≤ 0.006), where younger participants displayed higher test scores on all MSMF tests, compared to older participants. Furthermore, participants showing higher scores on WC displayed lower scores on the following MSMF tests for both females and males: muscular endurance of the back extensors, balance, flexibility of the shoulder, and explosive power (p < 0.001). Additionally, male participants with higher WC scores showed lower scores on muscular endurance of the upper body and flexibility of the hamstrings compared to males with lower WC scores (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The data provide normative values of MSMF for adults based on age and gender, and support an inverse relationship of MSMF to age and WC.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Normative values for musculoskeletal- and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy Norwegian adults and the association with obesity: a cross-sectional study
Authors
Ingirid Geirsdatter Heald Kjær
Monica Klungland Torstveit
Elin Kolle
Bjørge Herman Hansen
Sigmund Alfred Anderssen
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 2052-1847
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-016-0059-4

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