Gender Differences in Lower Limb Strength and Endurance Among Saudi Adolescents

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Limited Role of Body Mass Index

Bibliographic Data

ID15718186
AuthorsAsma Alonazi (0000-0003-2822-798X, Majmaah University, corresponding author), Fay Alsunaid (Altair Engineering (United States)), Latifa Alofaisan (Security Forces Hospital), Mazen Abdullah Mohammed Alqarni (King Abdulaziz Medical City), Mohammed Ghassan Alqarni (0009-0009-7765-281X, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Savan Medical Centre, Riyadh 14244, Saudi Arabia), Jasem Alhumoud (0009-0008-8199-4452, Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation), Faizan Kashoo (0000-0002-8272-674X, Majmaah University)
Year2025
Volume12
Issue7
Pages899-899
Publication date2025-07-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children12070899
PMID40723092
OpenAlexW4412727395
LanguageEN
References cited43

Background : Understanding the relationship between physical fitness and body mass index (BMI) is critical for promoting adolescent health, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where cultural norms and rising obesity rates present unique challenges. This study aimed to investigate the impact of BMI, gender, and physical activity levels on lower limb strength and endurance, as measured by the Standing Long Jump (SLJ) and the 1 min Sit-to-Stand (STS) test, respectively. Methods : This cross-sectional study included 100 healthy Saudi adolescents (44 boys, 56 girls) aged 10-18 years. Lower limb strength and endurance were assessed using SLJ (cm) and STS (repetitions/min). Anthropometric measurements included BMI (kg/m 2 ), weight (kg), and height (cm), while physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Mediation analysis was conducted to examine the potential indirect effects of BMI, PAQ-A score, and age on the relationship between SLJ and STS performance. Results : Boys significantly outperformed girls in both the STS (mean difference = 25.2 repetitions/min; p p p = 0.987). A strong positive correlation was observed between SLJ and STS performance ( r = 0.768; p p p = 0.004) adjustment for BMI, age, PAQ score, and gender. BMI transmitted only a small, non-significant share of this link (indirect β = 0.08, p = 0.122), indicating that the STS-SLJ association is largely direct (model R 2 for SLJ = 0.84). Conclusions : Explosive lower limb strength and gender were significant predictors of lower-body endurance, whereas BMI showed a limited association with performance. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating gender-specific strategies in adolescent fitness assessments and interventions, with a cautionary interpretation of BMI as a performance indicator

Body mass index · Cross-sectional study · Index (typography · Physical therapy · Sociology · Body Composition Measurement Techniques · Computer Science · Demography · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology · Internal Medicine

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