Norm-Referenced Percentile Values for Physical Fitness in Apulian Children: Findings from the SBAM! Regional Project

Physical fitness is a key health indicator in children and adolescents, playing a fundamental role in promoting healthy lifestyle and preventing overweight and obesity-related diseases. This study aimed to develop age- and sex-specific normative values for physical fitness among Apulian primary school children participating in the SBAM! regional project. A cross-sectional sample of 9,777 children aged 8–9 years (52.1% boys) from 130 schools across all six provinces of Apulia was assessed. Physical fitness tests included standing long jump (SLJ), 6-minute walking test (6MWT), 4×10 m shuttle run (SR), and body mass index (BMI). Percentile values were developed using the LMS method, and MANOVA/ ANOVA were used to examine differences by sex, age, and province. Principal component analysis (PCA) explored the latent structure of physical fitness. Sex- and -age referenced percentile values have been developed from all participants in the SBAM! project for each province. Age and the age×sex interaction significantly predicted performance across fitness tests. Provincial effects and interactions involving province were statistically detectable, but their effect sizes’ magnitude was very small (ω² ≈ 0.001). PCA revealed a two-factor structure: one related to physical fitness (SLJ, 6MWD, SR), and another reflecting anthropometric characteristics (BMI). Overall, Apulian children demonstrated fitness levels comparable to peers from other Italian regions. These findings emphasise the value of regional fitness surveillance and provide educators and policymakers with practical normative benchmarks to support targeted, health-oriented physical education initiatives