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Physical Fitness in Upper Austrian Children Living in Urban and Rural Areas: A Cross-Sectional Analysis with More Than 18,000 Children

Author

Listed:
  • Clemens Drenowatz

    (Division of Physical Education, University of Education Upper Austria, 4020 Linz, Austria)

  • Franz Hinterkörner

    (Olympic Training Center Upper Austria, 4020 Linz, Austria)

  • Klaus Greier

    (Division of Physical Education, Private Educational College (KPH-ES), 6422 Stams, Austria
    Department of Sport Science, Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

Abstract

Physical fitness is an important component in the development and health of children and adolescents. Given the equivocal results of previous research regarding the influence of the living environment on physical fitness, this study examined differences in physical fitness in urban and rural elementary school children in Upper Austria. A total of 18,168 (51% male) children between 6 and 11 years of age participated in anthropometric assessments and completed eight fitness tests that assessed cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular power, speed, agility, flexibility, and ball handling skills during a single test session in the school’s gymnasium. Urban living environment was associated with higher body weight ( p = 0.01) and lower physical fitness ( p < 0.01), except for flexibility, which was better in urban children ( p < 0.01) and upper body strength (no difference), even after accounting for differences in body weight. Furthermore, it was shown that urban–rural differences in physical fitness are more pronounced in normal weight children and that these differences increase with age. These results highlight the potential of the living environment for the promotion of an active lifestyle that enhances physical fitness. The availability of safe spaces that facilitate unstructured and structured physical activity, as well as active transportation provide viable options for the promotion of physical fitness in children.

Suggested Citation

  • Clemens Drenowatz & Franz Hinterkörner & Klaus Greier, 2020. "Physical Fitness in Upper Austrian Children Living in Urban and Rural Areas: A Cross-Sectional Analysis with More Than 18,000 Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:3:p:1045-:d:317562
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Peter Collins & Yahya Al-Nakeeb & Alan Nevill & Mark Lyons, 2012. "The Impact of the Built Environment on Young People’s Physical Activity Patterns: A Suburban-Rural Comparison Using GPS," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-21, August.
    3. Stella K. Muthuri & Lucy-Joy M. Wachira & Allana G. Leblanc & Claire E. Francis & Margaret Sampson & Vincent O. Onywera & Mark S. Tremblay, 2014. "Temporal Trends and Correlates of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Physical Fitness among School-Aged Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-33, March.
    4. Casey Gray & Rebecca Gibbons & Richard Larouche & Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter & Adam Bienenstock & Mariana Brussoni & Guylaine Chabot & Susan Herrington & Ian Janssen & William Pickett & Marlene Powe, 2015. "What Is the Relationship between Outdoor Time and Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Physical Fitness in Children? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-20, June.
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    1. Qing Jiang & Xin Huang & Di Cui, 2023. "Rural–Urban Differences in Physical Fitness and Overweight Prevalence of Children and Adolescents from Central South China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-15, January.

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