@article{01GTH562F6TH0YC2KJ8N9368DV,
  abstract     = {{Objectives (1) To develop reference values for health-related fitness in European children and adolescents aged 6-18 years that are the foundation for the web-based, open-access and multilanguage fitness platform (FitBack); (2) to provide comparisons across European countries.Methods This study builds on a previous large fitness reference study in European youth by (1) widening the age demographic, (2) identifying the most recent and representative country-level data and (3) including national data from existing fitness surveillance and monitoring systems. We used the Assessing Levels of PHysical Activity and fitness at population level (ALPHA) test battery as it comprises tests with the highest test-retest reliability, criterion/construct validity and health-related predictive validity: the 20 m shuttle run (cardiorespiratory fitness); handgrip strength and standing long jump (muscular strength); and body height, body mass, body mass index and waist circumference (anthropometry). Percentile values were obtained using the generalised additive models for location, scale and shape method.Results A total of 7 966 693 test results from 34 countries (106 datasets) were used to develop sex-specific and age-specific percentile values. In addition, country-level rankings based on mean percentiles are provided for each fitness test, as well as an overall fitness ranking. Finally, an interactive fitness platform, including individual and group reporting and European fitness maps, is provided and freely available online ().Conclusion This study discusses the major implications of fitness assessment in youth from health, educational and sport perspectives, and how the FitBack reference values and interactive web-based platform contribute to it. Fitness testing can be conducted in school and/or sport settings, and the interpreted results be integrated in the healthcare systems across Europe.}},
  author       = {{Ortega, Francisco B and Leskošek, Bojan and Blagus, Rok and Gil-Cosano, José J and Mäestu, Jarek and Tomkinson, Grant R and Ruiz, Jonatan R and Mäestu, Evelin and Starc, Gregor and Milanovic, Ivana and Tammelin, Tuija H and Sorić, Maroje and Scheuer, Claude and Carraro, Attilio and Kaj, Mónika and Csányi, Tamás and Sardinha, Luis B and Lenoir, Matthieu and Emeljanovas, Arunas and Mieziene, Brigita and Sidossis, Labros S and Pihu, Maret and Lovecchio, Nicola and Konstabel, Kenn and Tambalis, Konstantinos D and Štefan, Lovro and Drenowatz, Clemens and Rubín, Lukáš and Gontarev, Seryozha and Castro-Piñero, José and Vanhelst, Jérémy and O’Keeffe, Brendan and Veiga, Oscar L and Gisladottir, Thordis and Sandercock, Gavin and Misigoj-Durakovic, Marjeta and Niessner, Claudia and Riso, Eva-Maria and Popovic, Stevo and Kuu, Saima and Chinapaw, Mai and Clavel, Iván and Labayen, Idoia and Dobosz, Janusz and Colella, Dario and Kriemler, Susi and Salaj, Sanja and Noriega, Maria Jose and Bös, Klaus and Sánchez-López, Mairena and Lakka, Timo A and Tabacchi, Garden and Novak, Dario and Ahrens, Wolfgang and Wedderkopp, Niels and Jurak, Gregor}},
  issn         = {{0306-3674}},
  journal      = {{BRITISH JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE}},
  keywords     = {{Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation,Orthopedics and Sports Medicine,General Medicine,physical endurance,physical fitness}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{5}},
  pages        = {{299--310}},
  publisher    = {{BMJ}},
  title        = {{European fitness landscape for children and adolescents : updated reference values, fitness maps and country rankings based on nearly 8 million test results from 34 countries gathered by the FitBack network}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2022-106176}},
  volume       = {{57}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}

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