Abstract
Background: Adolescence is a pivotal stage for physical, emotional, and social development. Assessing health-related fitness during this period is essential for promoting well-being and identifying athletic potential. Despite its importance, no standardized fitness norms or battery tests exist for Lebanese adolescents. This study aimed to establish gender- and development-specific norms for key health-related fitness components and develop a tailored fitness index score. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 391 Lebanese adolescents (205 boys, 186 girls; aged 15–17 years) assessed health-related fitness components, including cardiorespiratory endurance (beep test), upper body strength (push-ups), core endurance (sit-ups), and flexibility (V sit-and-reach test). The 5D methodology was used to develop performance norms, and MANOVA was employed to analyze gender and developmental stage differences. Results: Boys in late adolescence demonstrated significantly higher upper body strength (p < 0.05) compared to middle adolescents, while girls in late adolescence showed significantly lower cardiovascular endurance than their younger counterparts (p < 0.01). Flexibility showed no significant changes across genders or stages, while age-related improvements were observed in boys' strength and endurance. Conclusion: This study provides the first standardized health-related fitness norms and fitness index score for Lebanese adolescents. The results offer a practical tool for assessing health status and identifying athletic talent, facilitating targeted interventions in educational and sports settings. Future studies should validate the index and explore broader applications.
Published Version
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