Title
Evaluation of physical fitness levels in children and adolescents: Establishing percentile charts for the central region of Peru
Other title
[Valoración de la aptitud física en niños y adolescentes: Construcción de cartas percentílicas para la región central del Perú]
Date Issued
01 January 2012
Access level
metadata only access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Universidad Nacional de Educación Enrique Guzmán y Valle
Publisher(s)
Instituto Nacional de Salud
Abstract
Objectives. Construct percentile charts and physical fitness (PF) reference values stratified by age and sex of children and adolescents from Peru's central region. Materials and methods. The sample was comprised of 7,843 subjects (4,155 females and 3,688 males) between the ages of 6 to 17 years old. Physical fitness was assessed using six tests developed by EUROFIT, FITNESSGRAM and AAPHERD. Percentile charts were developed separately for males and females using the LMS method calculated with LMSchartmaker software. Results. Males showed higher PF values with the exception of flexibility; a clear increase in PF with increasing age was verified. Conclusions. Inter-individual variability in both sexes is substantial. Charts and specific reference values by age and sex may be used for the assessment and interpretation of children's and adolescents' PF levels in Peru's central region. These findings may be of help to educators, public health professionals, parents, and policy-makers when assessing schools' physical education programs.
Start page
188
End page
197
Volume
29
Issue
2
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Pediatría Salud pública, Salud ambiental
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-84866865913
Source
Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Publica
ISSN of the container
17264634
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus