NUTRITION LEVEL AND CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS IN STUDENT POPULATION – A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

The aim of this of systematic review paper was to determine whether there is a correlation between the level of nutrition and cardiorespiratory fitness in the student population. The collected papers date from the period between 2000 and 2018. The sample included both male and female students with different levels of nutrition. The analyzed studies determined the differences and changes in BMI in relation to cardiorespiratory fitness. The studies had a criterion that showed differences in nutritional level and cardiorespiratory fitness and changes in BMI and cardiorespiratory fitness. Research has shown that there are significant differences in the level of nutrition of students and their physical fitness. Students with higher BMI had poorer results on cardiorespiratory fitness tests. With the increase in BMI, the VO2max values (maximal oxygen consumption values) are reduced. Higher BMI also adversely affects other physiological parameters. Moreover, there is a high correlation between BMI levels and cardiorespiratory endurance. Students included in the systematization, with their lower body composition values, showed better results on cardiorespiratory endurance tests. Increased body mass can lead to poorer results on physical fitness tests.