Physical fitness in northern European youth: reference values from the Latvian Physical Health in Youth Study.
OBJECTIVE
Physical fitness has the potential to be used as a key health determinant in youth. The aim of this study was to establish age- and sex-stratified reference values for health-related physical fitness in Latvian school-age children and to identify notable sex differences.


METHODS
Physical fitness was assessed using the EUROFIT test battery. Data were gathered from schoolchildren aged between 6 and 17 years (n = 10,464) by a medical team using standardised methods (EUROFIT battery). Fitness levels, stratified by chronological age and sex, were computed as mean ± SD. Each test was also analysed for differences between males and females in each age group.


RESULTS
Boys performed better than girls in muscular endurance and strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, and speed-agility fitness tests. Girls had better flexibility than boys (p < 0.001). There was also a more pronounced improvement in physical fitness scores with age in boys compared with girls.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical fitness reference values were developed for Latvian children and adolescents. These reference values will permit comparisons between students during physical education lessons and provide a baseline against which progress in physical fitness among northern European youths can be compared.
Sauka
Melita
M
Sports Medicine State Agency, Riga, Latvia. melita@latnet.lv
Priedite
Ilga S
IS
Artjuhova
Ludmila
L
Larins
Viesturs
V
Selga
Guntars
G
Dahlström
Orjan
O
Timpka
Toomas
T
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007844:Latvia; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors