Physical Fitness Normative Values Among School Going Children
Condition: Physical Fitness; Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Physical fitness is state of health and wellbeing, it determines ability of body to perform
      sports or daily physical activities. Physical fitness is related to our cardiorespiratory
      fitness level, as cardiorespiratory fitness levels used for decreasing chronic diseases,
      promoting overall cardiovascular and general body health, decreasing the chance of developing
      disorders due to poor physical fitness. Different tests will be used for the measurement of
      physical fitness in school going children such as 1. height and weight, 2.waist
      circumference, 3.triceps skinfold thickness, 4.subscapular skinfold thickness, 5.standing
      long jump test, 6.handgrip strength test, 7. 20 m shuttle run test, 8. 4x10 m shuttle run
      test.

      This study will be Cross-sectional study and will be conducted in schools in order to
      determine physical fitness level in school going children and adolescents between age
      10-17-year-old. Data will be collected by non-probability convenience sampling technique.
      Early determination of physical fitness level in school going children will be helpful, to
      promote their health status and to prevent the incidence of cardiovascular disorders.
    

Detailed description: 
      Evidence shows that low physical fitness level and cardiorespiratory level are strongly and
      independently associated with high risk of cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, mental health,
      stroke other risk factors and comorbidities. In children and adolescents, peak oxygen uptake
      (VO2peak) is the most researched physiological variable in pediatric exercise physiology for
      its association with cardio-metabolic risk factors and other health-related variables .
      Children's health and well-being is highly correlated with their physical fitness. Recently
      published studies indicate that low levels of physical fitness (e.g., cardiorespiratory
      fitness, muscular endurance/power) are associated with an elevated risk of developing adverse
      physiological events (e.g., unbalanced body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood
      pressure, plasma glucose, lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin resistance) in school-aged
      students.

      Physical fitness is usually determined in school-aged children using health-related physical
      fitness batteries (i.e., field tests). Compared to more sophisticated laboratory-based test
      equipment, field tests are easy-to-administer, involve minimal equipment and personnel,
      demonstrate good validity and reliability and a large number of subjects can be tested in a
      relatively small amount of time. Normative data derived from field tests have previously been
      used to identify subjects for health/talent promotion or to provide current objective
      recommendations for the assessment of physical fitness during physical education.

      In this study investigator will determine physical fitness normative values in school going
      children, in order to determine present health status which will reduce the incidence of
      future occurrence of cardiovascular disorders. Present health status is strong predictor of
      future cardiovascular disorders.
    

Observational model: Ecologic or Community
Time perspective: Cross-Sectional
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Physical fitness will be measured by ALPHA health related fitness test battery in children
        and adults. Following tests will be used to determine normative values of physical fitness
        such as,

          1. Morphological components

          2. Waist circumference

          3. Subscapular skinfold

          4. Triceps skinfold.

          5. Musculoskeletal component

          6. Standing broad jump

          7. 4x10 m run test

          8. 20m shuttle test
      
Keywords: Normative values; Cardiorespiratory Fitness; School Going Children