Regression of physical fitness in pre-adolescent: is it a real trend?

Problem Statement: A decline in fitness capacities (cardiovascular, muscle strength, speed-agility and power) was reported in multiple studies of the last decades. Further, in support of this hypothesis, literature suggested that the increase of sedentary lifestyle, the use of electronic devices and other factor, such as industrialization, negatively influenced the fitness over the time in children and adolescent. Approach: 280 pre-adolescents of both gender (between 13- and 14-year-old) attending the first year of middle school course in northern Italy were assessed from 2005 to 2011. Four physical fitness components were evaluated using field tests of the Eurofit test battery (sit and reach test (SAR), standing broad jump (SBJ), 12min run test, 30m sprint test). Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the trend in the physical fitness of Italian adolescents across six years. Results: Our results suggested a difference from 2005 to 2011 in both genders. In SAR, there were decreases only for boys (p=0.025). SBJ performance decreased in both genders but significantly only for girls (p< 0.001). Also, 12min run test performance showed a decrease in both gender (p<0.001). Finally, 30m Sprint speed-agility decreased in girls (p<0.001) while boys had an inverse trend. Conclusions: Overall, the results of this study showed a slight decline of the physical fitness, and in some cases, not even significant (SBJ, SAR, 30m sprint). In authors opinion, excessive alarmism was created about the regression of motor fitness performance in the developmental age.