Normative health‐related fitness values for French children: The Diagnoform Programme

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to establish sex‐ and age‐specific physical fitness percentiles for French children. The secondary aim was to assess sex, weight status, and age differences for physical fitness levels in French children. A sample of 31 484 children (16 023 boys, 15 461 girls) aged 6‐11 years participated in the Diagnoform programme. Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular endurance, speed, flexibility, and agility were assessed in this national programme. Percentile values were estimated as a function of age stratified by sex using a parametric method providing smooth centile curves and explicit formulae for the centile estimates. Values from the 10th to the 90th percentile are reported. The influence of body weight according to sex on the physical fitness level was also examined using an analysis of covariance adjusted for age. Physical fitness levels were slightly better in boys, except for agility and flexibility, in which girls performed better (Cohen's coefficient, 0.20‐0.45; P < .001). All physical fitness tests were significantly associated with age (P < .0001). In general, overweight and obese children had a significantly poorer physical fitness level compared with their normal‐weight counterparts (P < .05). No difference was found between thin and normal‐weight boys and girls, except for agility (P < .05). Reference values provide normative data for French children, and these data should be useful for identifying special needs for appropriate intervention programmes.

Relationship between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Body Composition with Physical Fitness Parameters in a Young Active Population

“…Thus, higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness along with muscular strength and body composition during childhood and adolescence is associated with a healthier cardiovascular profile and a lower risk of death later in life [10]. Improvements in muscular fitness and speed/agility have a positive impact on bone health, cardiovascular levels and the muscular fitness itself [11]. Therefore, following and controlling balanced eating habits together with a good level of PF are important factors for present and future health [10,12].…”

Évaluation de la condition physique durant l’enfance dans le nord de la France : le programme Diagnoform

“…L'objectif principal de notre étude était d'évaluer l'évolution du niveau de la condition physique chez des enfants dans le nord de la France, et de situer leurs niveaux de condition physique par rapport aux normes françaises préexistantes [22].…”

“…La condition physique a été évaluée par l'intermédiaire de la batterie Diagnoform (DiagnoKid), incorporant également certains tests de la batterie Eurofit (https://irfo.fr/programme-diagnoform/diagnoform-kid/) [22,24]. Elle a été évaluée selon 4 composantes: endurance cardiorespiratoire, force musculaire (membres inférieurs), la…”

“…L'objectif principal de notre étude était donc d'évaluer l'évolution du niveau de la condition physique chez des enfants dans le nord de la France. L'objectif secondaire était de situer les niveaux de condition physique de ces enfants par rapport aux normes françaises préexistantes [22]. Les normes nationales proposées se déclinent en fonction d'une échelle spécifique, exprimées en percentile pour chaque composante de la condition physique.…”

Eating Behaviour and Physical Fitness in 10-Year-Old Children Attending General Education and Sports Classes

“…Higher levels of cardio-respiratory performance, along with muscle strength and body composition in childhood and adolescence, are associated with a healthier cardiovascular profile and lower risk of death later in life. Therefore, adhering to and controlling balanced eating habits along with good physical activity levels are important factors for current and future health [ 7 ].…”