Sex-Related Differences in Adolescent Physical Fitness, Physical Activity Levels and Enjoyment
A Two-Year Follow-Up of Italian Middle School Students
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15712640 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Alessandro Cudicio (0000-0003-1891-3812, University of Bergamo, corresponding author), Alice Iannaccone (0000-0002-6300-7758, Università degli studi di Cassino e del Lazio Meridionale), Nicola Lovecchio (0000-0003-4115-0833, University of Bergamo), Claudio Orizio (0000-0003-2534-2296, University of Brescia), Giacomo Smorgoni (0009-0006-1466-9727, University of Bergamo), Silvia Sangalli (0009-0001-7246-3026, University of Bergamo), Antonio Borgogni (0000-0002-2226-6753, University of Bergamo), Valeria Agosti (0000-0002-1237-7097, University of Salerno) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 484-484 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-30 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Children (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/children13040484 |
| OpenAlex | W7143374503 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 41 |
Background: This two-year longitudinal study examined sex-specific changes and interrelations among body composition, physical fitness, physical activity (PA) enjoyment and PA levels during early adolescence. Methods: A cohort of 266 Italian middle school students (boys: n = 139; girls: n = 127) was assessed at two time points across two consecutive school years using anthropometry, field-based fitness tests, the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale Questionnaire (Italian version) and a PA frequency questionnaire. Repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to explore time and time × sex effects, and correlations between change scores were calculated to explore associations between variables. Results: BMI increased in both sexes, while fat mass decreased in boys and increased in girls. Boys showed greater gains in cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength, whereas girls maintained better flexibility. Moderate PA and overall moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) increased over time, with stronger positive associations between changes in PA enjoyment and MVPA in boys. Conclusion: These findings describe sex-specific patterns in physical fitness, body composition, and physical activity during early adolescence, and may help inform future research on sex-sensitive, individualized physical education approaches
Body mass index · Cardiorespiratory fitness · Cohort · Longitudinal study · Physical activity · Physical activity level · Physical fitness · Repeated measures design · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Physical Activity and Health · Physical Education and Pedagogy
The influence of physical activity, sedentary behavior on health-related quality of life among the general population of children and adolescents
Compendium of Physical Activities
Timing of the decline in physical activity in childhood and adolescence
Sexual dimorphism of body composition
Physical activity change during adolescence
World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour
Validation of the Italian Translation and Cultural Adaptation of the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy-2 (Capl-2) Questionnaire for Children
A Contribution to the Validation of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale in an Italian Sample
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |