Global Comparisons of Age, Gender and Socioeconomic Status Differences of Physical Fitness Health Risk in South African Primary School Children: Longitudinal Data from the NW-CHILD Study

Xonné Muller (), Anita E. Pienaar, Barry Gerber, Colin N. Moran and Naomi E. Brooks
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Xonné Muller: Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation Focus Area, Faculty of Health Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
Anita E. Pienaar: Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation Focus Area, Faculty of Health Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
Barry Gerber: Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation Focus Area, Faculty of Health Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
Colin N. Moran: Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Scotland FK9 4LA, UK
Naomi E. Brooks: Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Scotland FK9 4LA, UK

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 12, 1-21

Abstract: Global physical fitness (PF) levels have declined over the past 50 years, contributing to early health risks in children although it is still unclear how age, gender and socioeconomic status (SES) impact PF risk. This study aimed to identify unique health risks related to age, SES and gender that might influence muscular fitness (MF) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels of primary school children in South Africa. Children ( N = 349, boys = 165; girls = 184) of low ( n = 201) and high SES ( n = 148) underwent three time point measurements at 6, 9 and 12 years spanning seven primary school years. MF was assessed with the strength sub-test of the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2) and CRF with a 20 m shuttle run. Relationships between biographical data, anthropometric data and PF were analysed using mixed linear regression models. After controlling for covariates, findings from unadjusted interaction models were used, revealing significant ( p < 0.05) two-way age and SES interactions in standing long jump (SLJ), push-ups, wall-sit, sit-ups and VO 2 max and age and gender interactions ( p < 0.001) in sit-ups, push-ups and VO 2 max. Universal cut-points are considered valid monitoring guidelines of PF risk in South African school children. For comparison, standardised global protocols for sit-ups and push-ups should be prioritised and intervention strategies should focus on improving PF in girls, older children from the age of 9 and children from low SES backgrounds.

Keywords: physical fitness; health risk factors; muscular strength; primary school children; aerobic capacity; cardiorespiratory fitness; muscular fitness; criterion reference standards (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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