European Fitness Landscape in Children and Adolescents: updated reference values, fitness maps, and country rankings based on nearly 8 million data points from 34 countries gathered by the FitBack network

Abstract

Objectives: (1) To develop reference values for health-related fitness European children and adolescents aged 6-18 years that are the foundation for the web-based, open-access and multi-language fitness platform (FitBack); (2) To provide comparisons across European countries. Methods: This study builds on a previous large fitness reference study in European youth by: (1) widening the age demographic, (2) identifying the most recent and representative country-level data, and (3) including national data from existing fitness surveillance and monitoring systems. We used the ALPHA test battery as it comprises tests with the highest test-retest reliability, criterion/construct validity, and health-related predictive validity: the 20-m shuttle run (cardiorespiratory fitness); handgrip strength and standing long jump (muscular strength); and body height, body mass, body mass index, and waist circumference (anthropometry). Percentile values were obtained using the GAMLSS method. Results: A total of 7,966,693 data points from 34 countries (106 datasets) were used to develop sex- and age-specific percentile values. In addition, country-level rankings based on mean percentiles are provided for each fitness test, as well as an overall fitness ranking. Finally, an interactive fitness platform, including individual and group reporting, and European fitness maps, is provided and freely available at www.fitbackeurope.eu . Conclusions: This study discusses the major implications of fitness assessment in youth from a health, educational and sport perspective, and how the FitBack reference values and interactive web-based platform contribute to it. Fitness testing can be conducted in school and/or sport settings, and the interpreted results be integrated in the healthcare systems across Europe.

Adolescent Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Risk of Cancer in Late Adulthood: Nationwide Sibling-Controlled Cohort Study

“…5,6,[19][20][21][22] If this is true, and can be verified by future causal analysis, the potential of public health initiatives targeting cardiorespiratory fitness or physical activity to reduce cancer mortality might be underappreciated. 49,50 This study also revealed a heterogeneous pattern regarding adolescent cardiorespiratory fitness and site-specific cancer after comparing full siblings. For example, 13 the associations showing lower risks of kidney and liver, bile ducts, and gallbladder cancer seemed to attenuate more, whereas those with colon and head and neck cancer seemed more robust.…”

Assessment of Motor Abilities and Physical Fitness in Youth in the Context of Talent Identification—OSF Test

“…From the point of view of public health, education and sport, the development and implementation of PF tests seems to be justified [ 23 , 24 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Despite well-documented benefits stemming from higher PF levels in youth, there is an ongoing debate whether its levels in young people gradually decrease with age [ 47 , 48 ].…”

“…However, to interpret results of such a test properly, it is necessary to have accurately calculated reference norms [ 21 ]. Therefore, different batteries of tests assessing selected components of PF related to health, sports skills or aptitudes of adolescents were developed [ 22 , 23 ].…”