Normative Values for Muscular Fitness for Chinese Children and Adolescents Aged 7–18 Years

Yi Sun, Xiaojian Yin, Yuqiang Li, Cunjian Bi, Ming Li, Xiaofang Yang, Ting Zhang and Feng Zhang
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Yi Sun: College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Xiaojian Yin: College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Yuqiang Li: College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Cunjian Bi: College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Ming Li: College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Xiaofang Yang: College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Ting Zhang: College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Feng Zhang: College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 15, 1-14

Abstract: The primary aim of this study was to establish sex and age-specific muscular fitness (MF) norms for Chinese children and adolescents aged 7–18 years old. The secondary aim was to compare their MF values with those of children and adolescents in other countries and regions. The MF of 93,755 participants from China was evaluated by handgrip strength (upper limbs strength), sit-ups (trunk strength) and a standing broad jump (lower limbs strength), with a total of 90,424, 90,281 and 90,663 data values, respectively. The Lambda-Mu-Sigma (LMS) method was used to calculate smooth curves and table data. The MF of Chinese boys was higher than that of girls in all age groups. After the age of 11, the growth rate of boys accelerated while that of girls slowed down. Age-related changes were larger for boys than for girls. In the international comparison, all the MF indicators of Chinese children and adolescents were lower than those of their Japanese peers but were higher than those of their European peers, with the exception of handgrip strength. The results of this study can be used to evaluate, monitor and apply interventions that improve MF. They can also be used to compare trends across countries and regions.

Keywords: handgrip strength; sit-ups; standing broad jump; percentile curve; muscular fitness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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