Health-related physical fitness among adolescent schoolgirls in Madinah city, western Saudi Arabia

Abstract

In Saudi Arabia, health-related physical fitness components in girls have received far less attention than physical activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess health-related physical fitness components (cardiorespiratory fitness, body fat, muscle strength, and flexibility) among adolescent schoolgirls in Madinah city, western Saudi Arabia. Thirty-six female students (mean ± standard deviation, age, 17.4 ± 1.3 years; body mass, 51.6 ± 11.1 kg; height, 154.5 ± 6.9 cm) performed a Queen’s College Step Test to estimate maximal oxygen consumption. Body fat percentage was determined using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Hand grip strength was measured using a hand grip dynamometer, and flexibility was determined by using the sit and reach test. The mean (±standard deviation) of estimated maximal oxygen consumption was 39.5 ± 6.3 (ml.kg.min). The mean (±standard deviation) of Body fat percentage, right-hand grip strength, left-hand grip strength, and flexibility were 31.0 ±9.0 (%), 16.5±5.5 (kg), 17.1 ±4.9 (kg), and 10.6±4.8 (cm), respectively. We conclude that multiple health-related physical fitness components—with the exception of cardiorespiratory fitness—should be targeted, particularly body composition, muscle strength, and flexibility, to enhance health status among Saudi adolescent schoolgirls in Madinah. This may be accomplished by local schools, which should offer exercise programs to improve students’ physical fitness components.