Evaluation of Health-Related Physical Fitness Profiles of Turkish Students in Urban and Rural School Districts

Abstract

Physical fitness (PF) is an important element for overall health. The scope of the current study was to investigate the level of physical fitness of 12-14 aged students in urban and rural school districts and it's relation to the rate of physical activity participation. A total of 214 students (100 boys and 114 girls) were enrolled in this research, respectively. PF was assessed using five tests from the Fitnessgram Test Battery. According to Fitnessgram health-related fitness standards the prevalence of percent body fat (NI-Health Risk: 22.8% vs. 11.5%; NI: 43.3% vs. 19.5; HFZ: 33.1% vs. 69.0%; Very Lean: 0.8% vs. 0%); BMI (NI-Health Risk: 4.7% vs. 2.3%; NI: 17.3% vs. 5.7%; HFZ: 67.7% vs. 78.2%; Very Lean: 10.2% vs. 13.8%) and VO2max (NI: 12.6% vs. 0%; HFZ: 87.4% vs. 100%) were found in the overall sample in urban and rural school districts, respectively. As stated in Kruskal-Wallis H test results, the students in the urban school districts had significantly higher body weight ( x 2 (1) =20.44, p=0,000), percent body fat( x 2 (1) =20.49, p=0.000), BMI( x 2 (1) =15.45, p=0.000) and significantly lower VO2max ( x 2 (1) =11.21, p=0.001), curl-ups ( x 2 (1) =54.77, p=0.000), 90 o push-ups ( x 2 (1) =5.09, p=0.024) and PA participation rates ( x 2 (1) =85.02, p=0.000) compared to  counterparts in the rural school districts. In conclusion, the physical activity participation levels of the overall students were positively associated with the school district, VO2max, curl-up, and push-up. However, it was negatively correlated with body weight, percent body fat, and BMI in urban and rural school districts.