Activity and social correlates of physical fitness in Lithuanian schoolchildren
Abstract Physical fitness (PF) is an important marker of health and well-being. This study aimed to quantify associations of social environment and physical activity (PA) related factors with different aspects of PF among adolescents. The cross-sectional study included 4925 (51% girls) schoolchildre...
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| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07075-6 |
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| author | Brigita Mieziene Tomas Venckunas Grant R. Tomkinson Arunas Emeljanovas |
| author_facet | Brigita Mieziene Tomas Venckunas Grant R. Tomkinson Arunas Emeljanovas |
| author_sort | Brigita Mieziene |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Physical fitness (PF) is an important marker of health and well-being. This study aimed to quantify associations of social environment and physical activity (PA) related factors with different aspects of PF among adolescents. The cross-sectional study included 4925 (51% girls) schoolchildren aged 11–18 years. Participants were tested for PF using the Eurofit battery (covering 8 aspects of PF), with their social environment (parents’ education, family’s and friends’ support for PA), personal motivation for PA, actual PA level, and sports participation status were self-reported. Age- and sex- adjusted body mass index (BMI) cut-points were used to classify weight status as overweight or normal weight. Associations were quantified using hierarchical linear regression analysis. Up to 45% of the variability in PF was explained by BMI and environmental factors. While age, sex, BMI and parents’ education associated with PF most strongly, personal motivation for PA (R2 = 0.007 on average per aspect of PF), friends’ support for PA (R2 = 0.009) and especially sports participation (R2 = 0.014) were also significant correlates of PF. However, familial support for PA and current PA level were typically non-significant correlates. In conclusion, parents’ education, sports participation, personal motivation and friends’ support for PA should be promoted to foster PF of adolescents. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-27a89a5b5c5c42e3b737b4c8d30f5fb6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-27a89a5b5c5c42e3b737b4c8d30f5fb62025-08-20T04:02:46ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511810.1038/s41598-025-07075-6Activity and social correlates of physical fitness in Lithuanian schoolchildrenBrigita Mieziene0Tomas Venckunas1Grant R. Tomkinson2Arunas Emeljanovas3Institute of Sport Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports UniversityInstitute of Sport Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports UniversityAlliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South AustraliaInstitute of Sport Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports UniversityAbstract Physical fitness (PF) is an important marker of health and well-being. This study aimed to quantify associations of social environment and physical activity (PA) related factors with different aspects of PF among adolescents. The cross-sectional study included 4925 (51% girls) schoolchildren aged 11–18 years. Participants were tested for PF using the Eurofit battery (covering 8 aspects of PF), with their social environment (parents’ education, family’s and friends’ support for PA), personal motivation for PA, actual PA level, and sports participation status were self-reported. Age- and sex- adjusted body mass index (BMI) cut-points were used to classify weight status as overweight or normal weight. Associations were quantified using hierarchical linear regression analysis. Up to 45% of the variability in PF was explained by BMI and environmental factors. While age, sex, BMI and parents’ education associated with PF most strongly, personal motivation for PA (R2 = 0.007 on average per aspect of PF), friends’ support for PA (R2 = 0.009) and especially sports participation (R2 = 0.014) were also significant correlates of PF. However, familial support for PA and current PA level were typically non-significant correlates. In conclusion, parents’ education, sports participation, personal motivation and friends’ support for PA should be promoted to foster PF of adolescents.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07075-6AdolescentMotivationRegression analysisSocial environmentExercisePhysical fitness |
| spellingShingle | Brigita Mieziene Tomas Venckunas Grant R. Tomkinson Arunas Emeljanovas Activity and social correlates of physical fitness in Lithuanian schoolchildren Scientific Reports Adolescent Motivation Regression analysis Social environment Exercise Physical fitness |
| title | Activity and social correlates of physical fitness in Lithuanian schoolchildren |
| title_full | Activity and social correlates of physical fitness in Lithuanian schoolchildren |
| title_fullStr | Activity and social correlates of physical fitness in Lithuanian schoolchildren |
| title_full_unstemmed | Activity and social correlates of physical fitness in Lithuanian schoolchildren |
| title_short | Activity and social correlates of physical fitness in Lithuanian schoolchildren |
| title_sort | activity and social correlates of physical fitness in lithuanian schoolchildren |
| topic | Adolescent Motivation Regression analysis Social environment Exercise Physical fitness |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07075-6 |
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