Physical fitness level in Italian high-school adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Physical activity is known to be an important factor in the promotion of people’s health and physical efficiency. Regular physical activity participation has been associated with several health benefits; nevertheless, along with a high prevalence of overweight, obesity and sedentary behaviour, young people’s physical inactivity has been found to be the main threat to health in the twenty-first century. Physical fitness is the best marker of health condition at any age and it is connected with both motor and psychological-affective benefits. However, young people show low levels of physical fitness. The goal of the study is to analyse the physical fitness levels in Italian adolescents in connection with gender differences. The sample consists of 460 students, attending the second and third year of high school (boys: n: 262, age: 16,2±0,7 years, height: 173,5± 6,1 cm, weight: 68,3±10,7 kg, BMI: 22,7±3,2; girls: n=198, age: 16,2±0,7 years, height: 159,8±5,9 cm, weight: 57,6±9,0 kg, BMI: 22,5±3,0). They underwent anthropometric and motor assessment (Standing broad jump, 2 Kg Overhead Medicine Ball Throw, Sit-reach, Sit-up, 10x5 m Shuttle Run test, Legér test) during physical education classes. The outcomes pointed out that boys produced a better performance than girls in standing broad jump, 2 Kg Overhead Medicine Ball Throw, 10x5 m Shuttle Run test and Legér test, while girls only produce a better performance in Sit-reach. They need to increase physical fitness levels, particularly girls, by attending physical education classes, which must offer a larger variety of motor contents and respect gender differences.