Physical fitness reference tables for females in the 10 to 14 age range in Chillán (Chile)

Abstract

Objective To develop physical fitness reference tables oriented towards the health of female students in the 10 to 14 year age range, in Chillán, Chile. Method The present is a cross-sectional study. The sample is composed of 250 female students in the 10 to 14 year age range. To evaluate health-related physical fitness, the following tests were used: Body mass index (BMI), Deurengerg Formula (Body fat %), Wells and Dillon's Bench (Flexibility), Sargent Jump Test (lower limbs strength, 1 Mile Test (endurance) and the 30 Seconds Sit Up Test (focalized muscular endurance). Descriptive statistics were used to develop the reference tables. From the results, 5 categories were made: very bad, bad, regular, good, and very good. Age was used as a parameter. Results This study demonstrates the low level of fitness capacity of the group evaluated when compared to national and international references. It shows low levels of cardiorespiratory endurance, strength of lower limbs, flexibility, and focalized muscular endurance. The present study also shows that being overweight is associated with low cardiorespiratory capacity, and that there was a high prevalence of this in the sample compared to the national level of overweight and obesity in females in the 10-14 age range. Conclusion The tests applied in the present study are a reliable and simple tool for assessing the level of health-related fitness capacity. They can be applied in any educational institution, since a large or complex infrastructure for its application is not required.