What school environment characteristics influence the physical fitness of low-income schoolchildren?
Introduction: Physical fitness (PF) is a key health determinant, linked to cardiometabolic risk, cognitive performance, and mental health. Objective: This study examines how school environment characteristics, physical structures, and policies influence PF in children and adolescents from vulnera...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
FEADEF
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Retos: Nuevas Tendencias en Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://207.180.252.49/index.php/retos/article/view/114142 |
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| Summary: | Introduction: Physical fitness (PF) is a key health determinant, linked to cardiometabolic risk, cognitive performance, and mental health.
Objective: This study examines how school environment characteristics, physical structures, and policies influence PF in children and adolescents from vulnerable contexts.
Method: A total of 1,359 students (707 boys), aged 5–15 years, from 12 public schools in Lagoa do Carro, Pernambuco, Brazil, were assessed. PF was measured using 20-m shuttle run, handgrip strength, sit-and-reach, standing long jump, 20m-dash and shuttle run tests. School environmental characteristics (e.g., physical structure of school and policies and practices related to physical activity and sports) were also obtained. One-way MANOVAs were performed using PF tests as dependent variables, with age, sex, and body mass index as covariates.
Results: Urban students outperformed rural peers in handgrip strength and standing long jump. Student from schools with courtyard pillars showed better performance in the 20-m dash, shuttle run, and handgrip strength. The absence of physical obstacles and the presence of larger playgrounds (>50 m²) were associated with superior handgrip and SLJ scores. Intermediate-sized playgrounds (30–49 m²) favored 20-m dash performance. Schools offering extracurricular activities, sports programs, or inter-school competitions consistently exhibited higher aerobic endurance, muscular strength, and agility among students.
Conclusion: Physical and policy-driven characteristics of school environments significantly influence PF outcomes in vulnerable youth. Findings highlight the importance of targeted investments in school infrastructure and structured physical activity programs to reduce health and fitness disparities.
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| ISSN: | 1579-1726 1988-2041 |