Analysis of physical fitness according to sex, age, body mass index and level of physical activity in Spanish elementary school students

Abstract

Introduction: Scientific evidence suggests that schoolchildren’s quality of life is directly related to their physical fitness (PF). Objective: To analyze the physical fitness of elementary school students according to age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and level of physical activity (PA). Materials and methods: Cross-sectional and descriptive study conducted in 103 schoolchildren (aged 8-12 years) from Spain. PF and PA were measured using the ALPHA-fitness test battery and the Physician-based Assessment and Counseling for Exercise instrument, respectively. Participants were classified according to their level of PA (physically inactive vs. physically active) and their BMI (normal weight vs. overweight-obese). Parametric statistics were used for data analysis. Results: Male participants had a better level of PF. In addition, it was found that PF slightly increases as age increases, regardless of the sex. Normal weight or physically active schoolchildren had better aerobic capacity and a healthier body composition. Conclusion: Keeping optimal PF levels at any stage of life requires adopting a healthy lifestyle since childhood; therefore, it is necessary to encourage schoolchildren to do physical activity on their own.