Age and gender specific normative physical fitness values among school going children; a cross-sectional analytical study

Abstract

Objectives: To determine age- and gender-specific normative values for physical fitness among school-going children.

Method: The cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted from September 2021 to May 2022 in Alipur, Pakistan, and comprised school-going children of either gender aged 10-17 years. Physical fitness was assessed using the Assessing Levels of Physical Activity health-related fitness test battery, morphological component, waist circumference, hand grip strength measurement of right and left hands, 4x10m shuttle run test for motor fitness assessment and 20min shuttle test for cardiorespiratory fitness assessment. Data was analysed using SPSS 29.

Results: Of the 500 subjects, 250(50%) were boys with mean age 13.35 ± 2.02 years, and there were as many girls with mean age 13.40 ± 2.08 years (p>0.05). Boys showed higher values in handgrip strength (right hand: 36.3kg, left hand: 33.7kg), standing long jump (155.5cm), and maximum rate of oxygen consumption (45.2mL/kg/min) than the girls, who had higher triceps (14.03mm) and subscapular skinfold thicknesses (9.11mm) (p<0.05). Percentile-based age-specific normative data was also significant (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Male and female children showed significant differences across physical fitness values, and these values provided a clinical endpoint in determining health problems in future.

Key Words: Physical fitness, Reference values, Predictive, anthropometry, Grip strength.