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.
- MeSH
- cvičení MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- index tělesné hmotnosti MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- referenční hodnoty MeSH
- reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
- síla ruky * MeSH
- tělesná výkonnost * MeSH
- zátěžový test metody MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Slovenia is a pioneer in the systematic monitoring of physical fitness in children and adolescents. In 1969, a national system for monitoring physical and somatic development, called the Sports Educational Chart, was developed and later revised in 1987. Since 1987, all Slovenian primary and secondary schools complete three anthropometric and eight physical fitness measures to assess child development on the population level. The results are processed by the Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Laboratory of Physical and Motor Development. The Laboratory provides feedback to every schoolchild, class and school. In recent years, advanced IT support was upgraded and renamed as the SLOfit system. Registered users of SLOfit, consist of PE teachers, parents, children, and physicians, who are able to use the on-line application My SLOfit. Through My SLOfit, individuals can follow their development, assess health risks or get advice. The web platform facilitates cooperation between the educational and health system enabling a holistic approach to developmental difficulties. The My SLOfit application works as a powerful communication tool with other platforms, including a website (www.slofit.org), and Facebook. This article presents the basic features of the SLOfit surveillance system and highlights its development as a support tool for efficient, holistic data use.
- MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- pohybová aktivita * MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- školy MeSH
- statistika jako téma MeSH
- tělesná výchova * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Slovinsko MeSH
Ski school programmes in different countries are adapted to the local conditions and skiing trends. The aim of the study was to establish the progressivity of the three basic elements of the Slovenian ski school in terms of the duration of individual turns and their phases. Eight participants were recorded as they performed three basic elements of the Slovenian national ski school: wedge curves – E1, turns with a wedge push-off – E2 and basic swinging – E3. According to the ski school, the elements were divided into phases. The results of the computer-aided video analysis showed that in the beginning types of skiing in the same conditions on the same length of terrain, the average durations of turns and the times of comparable initiation and steering phases of the elements shortened on the methodical upward scale (from E1 to E3). The number of turns executed on the same length of terrain from E1 to E3 increased. A larger step in motor task complexity was indicated when a pole plant was included in skiing elements. Further, relatively large differences were observed in time durations among subjects executing the same elements. In conclusion, it can be assessed that the basic elements of the ski school are placed gradually in terms of progressivity in time durations.
- Klíčová slova
- alpské lyžování, otočné fáze, klínové křivky,
- MeSH
- biomechanika * MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- lyžování * výchova MeSH
- sportovní výkon klasifikace statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- statistika jako téma MeSH
- studie pohybu a času MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- hodnotící studie MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Slovinsko MeSH
Many school-based physical activity (PA) interventions have been developed, but only a few have assessed their long-term effects. A PA intervention taking place in the first four years of some Slovenian primary schools entails an enhanced physical education (PE) curriculum, including two extra lessons of PE per week, a wider selection of PE content, and additional outdoor education delivered by both a specialist PE teacher and a general teacher. The effects of the intervention on children's physical fitness (motor tasks and anthropometry) were evaluated within a quasi-experimental study. In total, 324 children from nine Slovenian primary schools either received the enhanced curriculum (intervention (n=160)) or standard PE (control (n=164)), and were followed for a four-year intervention period and seven years post intervention. Data from the SLOFIT database were used to compare differences in the physical fitness of children each year. Linear Mixed Models were used to test the influence of the PA intervention. Over an 11-year period, the PA intervention group significantly differed in all motor tasks, but not in anthropometric measures or body mass index, after controlling for year of measurement and sex. Differences between the control and intervention groups decreased with time. This study highlights the importance of tracking the long term effects of PA interventions. PA intervention in the first four years of Slovenian primary school offers the possibility of improving physical performance in children; initiatives aiming to increase their performance (physical fitness, physical activity) and health outcomes are warranted.
- MeSH
- cvičení * MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- longitudinální studie MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- motorické dovednosti MeSH
- podpora zdraví MeSH
- školy statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- tělesná výchova statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- tělesná výkonnost * MeSH
- tělesné váhy a míry * MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The present study analyzed differences in certain morphological and motor indicators of high school pupils according to their gender, age and the type of programmes they attend. The study included 18,374 boys and 16,308 girls; 6,989 of the boys and 9,096 of the girls attended gymnasium programmes, 7,255 boys and 5,672 girls attended technical/professional programmes, while 4,130 boys and 1,540 girls attended vocational programmes. Data from the »sports education chart« information system were used to identify the status of their physical characteristics and motor abilities. The results revealed that the type of programme differentiates the boys and girls the most; however, the differences are smaller with boys than with girls. The biggest difference between the types of programme – whilst controlling for age and gender – was noticed in the results of the tests sit-ups and arm-plate tapping. Presumably, these differences occur as a result of the pupils’ different socio-economic environments. The less favourable morphological structure of pupils from vocational programmes is probably a result of their lower amount of physical activity and unsuitable eating habits; the results confirm the findings of other researchers stating that pupils from vocational schools have the worst nutritional quality. The poorer motor potential of pupils from vocational schools is probably a result of the more infrequent free-time sports participation, the smaller amount of physical education lessons in the school curricula and other attitudes to sports activity which serve as an indicator of a quality way of spending one’s free time.
- MeSH
- antropometrie metody MeSH
- kurikulum statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- motorické dovednosti fyziologie klasifikace MeSH
- rozložení podle pohlaví MeSH
- školy MeSH
- sporty MeSH
- statistika jako téma MeSH
- studenti MeSH
- tělesná výchova statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- vyučování MeSH
- vývoj mladistvých fyziologie klasifikace MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
