AI Article Synopsis
- A study was conducted to assess physical fitness trends among Lithuanian adolescents from 1992 to 2022, including data from nearly 18,000 individuals aged 11-17.
- Significant declines were observed in various fitness tests like the 20-m shuttle run and bent arm hang, while some improvements were noted in balance and short shuttle run performance.
- The results highlight a worrying trend of decreased health-related fitness, especially among low performers, indicating a need for national health promotion policies to address these issues.
Article Abstract
Background: Physical fitness is an excellent marker of general health and performance. We aimed to calculate trends in physical fitness among Lithuanian adolescents between 1992 and 2022.
Methods: Using a repeated cross-sectional design, body size and physical fitness data for 17 918 Lithuanian adolescents (50.3% female) aged 11-17 years were collected in 1992, 2002, 2012 and 2022. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from measured height and body mass, with BMI z-scores (zBMI) calculated using WHO growth curves. Physical fitness was measured using the Eurofit test battery, with results converted to z-scores using European norms. With adjustment for zBMI, trends in mean fitness levels were calculated using general linear models. Trends in distributional characteristics were visually described and calculated as the ratio of SDs.
Results: We found significant large declines (standardised effect size (ES) ≥ 0.80) in 20-m shuttle run and bent arm hang performance, and significant small declines (ES=0.20-0.49) in standing broad jump, plate tapping, sit-and-reach and sit-ups performance. In contrast, we found a significant moderate improvement (ES=0.50-0.79) in flamingo balance performance and a significant negligible improvement (ES<0.20) in 10×5-m shuttle run performance. Poorer trends were observed in low performers (below the 20th percentile) compared with high performers (above the 80th percentile).
Conclusion: Health-related fitness (ie, cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness) levels have declined among Lithuanian adolescents since 1992, particularly among those with low fitness. National health promotion policies are required to improve current trends.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech-2024-223072 | DOI Listing |
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