Effects of body mass index and extracurricular sports activities on physical fitness in school-aged children
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22090769 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bartosz Aniśko (0000-0002-1688-7684, Wyższa Szkoła Biznesu w Gorzowie Wielkopolskim, corresponding author), Kacper Bernatowicz (The Jacob of Paradies University), Małgorzata Wójcik (0000-0002-8950-3119, Wyższa Szkoła Biznesu w Gorzowie Wielkopolskim) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Pages | 1578304-1578304 |
| Publication date | 2025-04-25 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1578304 |
| PMID | 40352849 |
| OpenAlex | W4409826568 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 42 |
Background: We are seeing a steady decline in children's physical fitness. Along with overweight and obesity, low physical fitness is one of the most serious disorders in child development. One solution to these problems is additional physical activity. It was investigated whether reduced physical fitness is associated with an increased body mass index and whether children who participate in extra-curricular sports activities have better physical fitness. Methods: The study involved 201 children (101 girls, 100 boys) aged 10 ± 2 (grades 1-8 of the primary school). Half of the participants reported participating in extra-curricular sports activities, while half did not participate in any sports activities. The children were assessed for body mass index, grip strength, balance, strength, speed and reaction time. Results: Significant differences in fitness test results were observed between active and inactive students. Significant differences were also found between students with different body mass index. The 4 months of schooling had a positive effect on most of the fitness characteristics assessed. Grip strength appeared to be a determinant of the other fitness scores. Conclusion: The hypotheses that both additional physical activity and BMI will influence children's fitness, and that 4 months of schooling will have a positive effect on improving students' fitness, were confirmed. Hand-grip strength was found to be a determinant of better performance in almost all other fitness tests
Body mass index · Physical activity · Physical fitness · Physical therapy · World Wide Web · Body Composition Measurement Techniques · Children's Physical and Motor Development · Computer Science · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Gerontology
WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour for children and adolescents aged 5–17 years
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance — United States, 2017
Global trends in insufficient physical activity among adolescents
Body mass composition analysis as a predictor of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents
Relationship between age and handgrip strength
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Study on Sports, Extracurricular Activities, Electronic Device Usage Factors Associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Taiwanese Preschoolers
The Level and Factors Differentiating the Physical Fitness of Adolescents Passively and Actively Resting in South-Eastern Poland—A Pilot Study
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Children’s Perceived and Actual Physical Activity Levels within the Elementary School Setting
The Impact of Obesity on the Fitness Performance of School-Aged Children Living in Rural Areas—The West Attica Project
Anthropometric Parameters, Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Executive Functions among Primary School Children
Relationship between body mass index and physical fitness of children and adolescents in Xinjiang, China
Attendance in physical education classes, sedentary behavior, and different forms of physical activity among schoolchildren
Influence of body build on hand grip strength, simple reaction time and strength of the abdominal muscles in prepubertal children
| Highly cited | No |
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