FITNESS PROFILE OF CHILDREN LIVING IN A DEPRIVED AREA IN BRAZIL: A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

The aim of this study was to verify the metabolic profile, physical and motor fitness, according to health-related physical fitness criterion, in school-age children living in a deprived areas of Santos city, Brazil; and even though we compare the recorded data with normative data from the Brazilian population. Sixty-one children aged between 8 and 12 years (34 girls and 27 boys), were assessed over four consecutive years, for a socioeconomic status, physical activity, biological maturation, biochemical and hemodynamic evaluation, anthropometric and physical fitness. Overall, they were classified as low-income; 51.91% of the girls and 32.35% of the boys were considered sedentary; the students were classified as pubescent and prepubescent (40-59%); biochemical and hemodynamic variables were in the normal range; there was a significant increase in body mass, height and body mass index, however, but no significant differences for skinfold thicknesses and % body fat. There was a significant increase in upper limb strength; and abdominal strength only increased between the first and fourth year, while velocity increased between the first and second year. However, aerobic fitness decreases between the first and fourth year, while flexibility did not change over the years. Schoolchildren living in deprived areas of Brazil, presented metabolic profile, physical and motor fitness below the health-related physical fitness criterion for this age group.