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. MethodsThis 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. ResultsA 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. ConclusionsThis 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. What is already known on this topic- Fitness testing in youth is important from a health, educational and sport point of view. - The EU-funded ALPHA project reviewed the existing evidence and proposed a selection of field-based fitness tests that showed the highest test-retest reliability, criterion/construct validity, and health-related predictive validity among available tests. What this study adds- The FitBack project provides the most up-to-date and geographically diverse reference fitness values for 6-to 18-year-old Europeans. - This study introduces the first web-based, open-access, and multi-lingual fitness reporting platform (FitBack) providing interactive information and visual mapping of the European fitness landscape. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy- From a health perspective, very low fitness levels are a non-invasive indicator of poor health at both the individual and group level (e.g., school, region), which have utility for health screening and may guide public health policy. There are already examples of regional and national fitness testing systems that are integrated into the healthcare systems. - From an educational perspective, fitness testing is part of the school curriculum in many countries, and the FitBack platform offers physical education teachers an easy-to-use tool for interpreting fitness test results by sex and age. - From a sport perspective, these reference values can help identify young individuals who are talented in specific fitness components.