@misc{10481/80792,
year = {2023},
month = {1},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/80792},
abstract = {Objectives (1) To develop reference values for health-related
fitness in European children and adolescents
aged 6–18 years that are the foundation for the web-based,
open-access
and multilanguage 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 Assessing Levels
of PHysical Activity and fitness at population level
(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 generalised additive models for location, scale and
shape method.
Results A total of 7 966 693 test results from 34
countries (106 datasets) were used to develop sex-specific
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 online (
www.fitbackeurope.eu). Conclusion This study discusses the major implications of fitness
assessment in youth from health, educational and sport perspectives,
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.},
organization = {Erasmus+ Sport Programme of the European Union within the project FitBack	13010-EPP-1-2019-1-SI-SPO-SCP},
organization = {Slovenian Research Agency within the Research programme Bio- psycho-social context of kinesiology	P5-0142},
organization = {Units of Excellence},
organization = {Unit of Excellence on Exercise},
organization = {Nutrition and Health},
organization = {Junta de Andalucia},
organization = {Investigacion y Universidades},
organization = {European Commission	SOMM17/6107/UGR},
organization = {CIBERobn Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition},
publisher = {BMJ},
title = {European fitness landscape for children and adolescents: updated reference values, fitness maps and country rankings based on nearly 8 million test results from 34 countries gathered by the FitBack network},
doi = {10.1136/bjsports-2022-106176},
author = {Ortega Porcel, Francisco Bartolomé and Gil Cosano, José Juan and Ruiz Ruiz, Jonatan and FitBack and HELENA and IDEFICS Consortium},
}