Background: The main aim of the study was to explore the association between objectively measured physical fitness and the level of pain intensity. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 1036 adolescents (mage ± SD = 16.3 ± 1.1 years; mheight ± SD = 1.74 ± 0.1 m; mweight ± SD = 64.7 ± 12.4 kg; mbody-mass index ± SD = 21.3 ± 3.0 kg/m2) from 11 secondary schools located in the city of Zagreb (Croatia). Physical fitness was determined by using waist circumference, sit-ups in 1 min, standing long jump and sit-and-reach tests. Overall physical fitness index was calculated by summing the z-score values of each physical fitness test. The level of pain intensity was assessed with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, a one-dimensional measure of pain intensity. Associations were calculated with correlation analyses. Results: In boys, pain intensity was associated with sit-ups in 1 min (r = -0.16, p < 0.001), standing long jump (r = -0.14, p = 0.003) and overall physical fitness index (r = -0.13, p = 0.004), while no significant associations with waist circumference (r = 0.04, p = 0.438) and sit-and-reach test (r = -0.01, p = 0.822) were observed. In girls, pain intensity was associated with standing long jump (r = -0.17, p < 0.001) and overall physical fitness index (r = -0.10, p = 0.018), while no significant associations with waist circumference (r = 0.01, p = 0.735), sit-ups in 1 min (r = -0.06, p = 0.126) and sit-and-reach test (r = -0.05, p = 0.232) were observed. When we adjusted for self-rated health, sleep duration, smoking status, alcohol consumption, screen-time and psychological distress, similar associations remained. Conclusions: Our study shows a weak association between physical fitness and pain intensity in a large sample of adolescents. Although a cross-sectional design, health-professionals should use physical fitness as a screening tool to assess the level of pain intensity.

Department of General and Applied Kinesiology Faculty of Kinesiology University of Zagreb 10 000 Zagreb Croatia

Faculty of Sport Studies Masaryk University 62 500 Brno Czech Republic

Faculty of Sport Studies Masaryk University 62 500 Brno Czech Republic Department of General and Applied Kinesiology Faculty of Kinesiology University of Zagreb 10 000 Zagreb Croatia

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