Trends in 4th−12th grade students' aerobic capacity and muscular strength and endurance

New York City public school students, 2006–2019

Bibliographic Data

ID22089585
AuthorsSophia E Day (0000-0003-1885-5907, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene), Caroline Nguyen (Berkeley Public Health Division), Kira Argenio (0000-0001-8272-2565, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene), Kevin Konty (0000-0002-7156-7034, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene), Sydney S Dougan (Berkeley Public Health Division), Emily D'Agostino (Duke University), Cody D Neshteruk (0000-0002-0516-6873, Duke University), Brooke E Wagner (0000-0002-8969-3653, Duke University), Hannah R Thompson (0009-0009-6874-9556, Berkeley Public Health Division)
Year2026
Volume14
Pages1682913-1682913
Publication date2026-02-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2026.1682913
PMID41788529
OpenAlexW7130351683
LanguageEN
References cited45

Background Systematically monitoring youth fitness over time is critical for designing and implementing policies and interventions to maintain/increase youth fitness and reduce the burden of non-communicable disease. This study describes trends in student fitness over school years 2006/07–2018/19, the longest period for which US-based data are available. Methods This observational, longitudinal study uses 13 years of population-weighted data from the New York City (NYC) FITNESSGRAM from 2,272,575 unique students (8,523,877 student-year observations) in 4th−12th grades from 1,721 public schools. Sex-and age-specific performance was assessed using healthy fitness zones (HFZ), validated performance standards indicating whether individual fitness was sufficient for good overall health. Adjusted generalized estimating equations determined the prevalence of being in the HFZ for aerobic capacity, push-ups, and curl-ups for all students, and by student sex, grade level, race/ethnicity, and home neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES). Results In 2006/07, 24.7% of students were in the HFZ for aerobic capacity, 55.3% for push-ups, and 65.0% for curl-ups. By 2018–19, 35.6% were in the HFZ for aerobic capacity (a relative increase of 44.1% from baseline; p < 0.001); 56.1% (SD = 0.56) for push-ups (1.4% relative increase; p < 0.001); and 70.5% (SD = 0.54) for curl-ups (8.5% relative increase; p < 0.001). Stratified models demonstrated persistent differences in the proportion of students in the HFZ by sex, school level, and home neighborhood SES. Gaps between non-Hispanic White compared to non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic students grew slightly. Conclusion Thirteen years of data from the largest school district in the nation demonstrate overall improvements in student fitness performance on all three tests, with the largest gains seen for aerobic capacity. However, continued work is necessary to address persistent disparities in NYC youth aerobic capacity and muscular strength and endurance by sex, grade level, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status

Aerobic capacity · Aerobic exercise · Physical fitness · Physical strength · Psychological intervention · Public health · School district · Socioeconomic status · Body Composition Measurement Techniques · Children's Physical and Motor Development · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet

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