title: Physical fitness in northern European youth: reference values from the Latvian Physical Health in Youth Study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine State Agency, Riga, Latvia. melita@latnet.lv
authors.forename: Melita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sauka
authors.forename: Ilga S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Priedite
authors.forename: Ludmila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Artjuhova
authors.forename: Viesturs
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Larins
authors.forename: Guntars
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Selga
authors.forename: Orjan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dahlström
authors.forename: Toomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Timpka
mesh_terms: 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