Abstract

Three parameters indicative of the level of physical efficiency (weight, VO2max and muscle strength) were evaluated and compared in groups of 11-year-old Turin junior high school children examined at different periods: 34,095 (18,323 M and 15,772 F) from 1982 to 1991, 6.655 (3467 M and 3.188 F) in the 1996/97 school year, and 6.681 (3.540 M and 3.141 F) in 2001/02. Weight has increased constantly, especially in the 1996/97 and 2001/02 groups where it is accompanied by an increase in frank obesity (overweight >20% of the theoretical value) in 15.14% and 13.78% of the total number of males and females respectively. VO2max (an indicator of cardiocirculatory efficiency in sports medicine) has decreased in both absolute and weight-related terms. Increased weight is obviously responsible for even greater and even severe deficiencies. Muscle strength, on the other hand, has not displayed significant variations over the course of time. Comparison with weight, however, has once again revealed a decrease in the districts explored due to sedentary habits, low participation in competition sports (football being the main male sport) and excessive alimentation based on macronutrients. Two solutions are proposed: alimentary information, and more school time devoted to physical training and sport, starting from the primary level.