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Background The oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) is considered a reliable indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness in young and clinical populations who cannot achieve maximal effort during a graded exercise test. However, OUES accuracy depends on the data points used for its calculation and it is still not clear if the submaximal OUES can accurately assess CRF in healthy young males. Objective We investigated the association between peak oxygen uptake and peak and submaximal OUES, and the agreement between submaximal OUES and peak OUES in male adolescents and young adults. Methods In this cross-sectional, observational study, fifty normal weight healthy participants (age 14–22 years, peak oxygen uptake 43.8 ± 7.3 mL·min−1·kg−1) performed a graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer and pulmonary gas exchange was assessed using breath-by-breath analysis. Peak oxygen uptake, and oxygen consumption at the aerobic and at the anaerobic threshold were determined as the 30-s average of the oxygen consumption values. Peak OUES (up to peak) and submaximal OUES (up to the aerobic and anaerobic thresholds) were calculated from the logarithmic relation between oxygen consumption and pulmonary ventilation. Results Very strong correlations were observed between peak oxygen uptake and peak OUES (r = 0.80–0.88) while fair-to-very strong correlations were observed between the peak oxygen uptake and the two submaximal OUES (r = 0.32–0.81). The level of agreement between peak OUES and OUES up to the anaerobic threshold (r = 0.89–0.93; Typical percentage error 6%; Intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.89–0.93) was greater than the one between the peak oxygen uptake with OUES up to the aerobic threshold (r = 0.39–0.56; Typical percentage error 15%; Intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.38–0.56). Conclusions . The peak OUES is a better indicator of aerobic fitness than the OUES up to the anaerobic threshold in healthy, young males. The OUES up to the anaerobic threshold is a valid alternative to peak OUES.

Background. A multidisciplinary approach seems to be effective in creating healthy habits in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of three 5-month combined physical education (PE) and nutritional interventions on body composition, physical activity (PA) level, sedentary time and eating habits of schoolchildren. Methods. Anthropometric data, weekly PA level, sedentary time and eating habits of 230 healthy students were analysed using a repeated-measures ANOVA with Group (experimental group 1 vs experimental group 2 vs control group), Adiposity Status (under fat vs normal fat vs obese), and Time (pre vs post) as factors. Results. Body fat mass percentage increased after intervention (18.92 ± 8.61% vs 19.40 ± 8.51%) in all groups. The weekly PA level significantly increased after intervention in both experimental groups. Sedentary time significantly decreased after the intervention period (565.70 ± 252.93 vs 492.10 ± 230.97 min/week, p < 0.0001). Moreover, obese children were more sedentary than under fat and normal fat children. Children significantly changed the consumption of some specific foods after intervention. Discussion. This study revealed the effectiveness of a combined PE and nutritional intervention to improve children’s healthful dietary practices and to encourage an active lifestyle. However, it needs a further appropriate development to establish patterns of healthful dietary practices that encourage an active lifestyle with which to maintain healthy habits through life.