The association between student body mass index and tests of flexibility assessed by the FITNESSGRAM®: New York City public school students, 2017–18

Abstract

FITNESSGRAM® is the most widely used criterion-referenced tool to assess/report on student health-related fitness across the US. Potential weight-related biases with the two most common tests of musculoskeletal fitness–the trunk extension and Back-Saver Sit-and-Reach (sit-and-reach)—have been hypothesized, though have not been studied. To determine the association between musculoskeletal fitness test performance and weight status, we use data from 571,133 New York City public school 4th-12th grade students (85% non-White; 75% qualified for free or reduced-price meals) with valid/complete 2017–18 FITNESSGRAM® data. Adjusted logistic mixed effects models with a random effect for school examined the association between weight status and whether a student was in the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ; met sex- and age-specific criterion-referenced standards) for the trunk extension and sit-and-reach. Compared to students with normal weight, the odds of being in the HFZ for trunk extension were lower for students with underweight (OR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.741, 0.795) and higher for students with overweight (OR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.081, 1.122) and obesity (OR = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.090, 1.13). The odds of being in the HFZ for sit-and-reach were lower for students with underweight OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.826, 0.878), overweight (OR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.819, 0.844) and obesity (OR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.641, 0.661). Students with overweight and obesity perform better on the trunk extension, yet worse on the sit-and-reach, compared to students with normal weight. Teachers, administrators, and researchers should be aware of the relationship of BMI with student performance in these assessments.

Associação entre aptidão física relacionada à saúde, atividades físicas extracurriculares e adiposidade corporal em uma amostra representativa de adolescentes de Florianópolis, Brasil

“…Flexibility was also inversely associated with body adiposity in boys. These results corroborate studies carried out with adolescents aged 10 to 19 years in New York (Thompson et al, 2021) and with children and adolescents in China (Chen et al, 2022). Chen et al (2022) identified that flexibility was least affected by high adiposity, highlighting that, during the test, individuals do not need to overcome resistance imposed by excess weight.…”

“…Specifically in adolescents, obesity has been associated with low physical fitness, affecting mainly health-related physical components (Chen et al, 2022). In general, adolescents with obesity have lower performance in muscle strength and endurance, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) (Johansson et al, 2020;Brand et al, 2020;Dong et al, 2019), and flexibility tests (Chen et al, 2022;Thompson et al, 2021).…”

Feasibility and Reliability of Health-Related Physical Fitness Tests in Children and Adolescents with Hearing Impairment

“…After two rounds of deliberation, the panel selected seven fieldbased tests to assess all five HRPF components: (1) body composition: body mass index (BMI); (2) muscular strength: grip strength and standing long jump; (3) cardiorespiratory fitness: vital capacity and long-distance run; (4) flexibility: sit-and-reach; and (5) balance: one leg stand. These tests were adopted from either CNSPFS or FITNESSGRAM [22,23]. The selection of these tests were mainly based on their simplicity, low cost, and participants' communication styles owing to their HI [4,29].…”

“…There are several well-established field-based HRPF tests for typically developing children and adolescents. For example, the Chinese National Student Physical Fitness Standard (CNSPFS) and FITNESSGRAM are commonly used assessments that have been developed and validated for assessing the physical fitness levels of children and adolescents without disabilities [22,23]. The CNSPFS consists of a wide range of tests (e.g., body composition, vital capacity, and sit-up) and is the official tool for assessing HRPF of children and adolescents without disabilities in China [22].…”

“…To date, the research on HRPF measurement has mainly focused on children and adolescents without disabilities [22,23], as well as those with intellectual and physical disabilities [24][25][26][27][28]. For example, the reliability, feasibility, and validity of HRPF test tools such as the Brockport Physical Fitness Test, SAMU-Disability Fitness Battery, and Assessing Levels of Physical Activity Fit test battery have been examined in disability groups, such as groups with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities [26][27][28].…”