Self-Perceived Fitness in Young Athletes: Associations with Anthropometric Markers and Lipid Profile as Cardiometabolic Risk Factors—COR-SCHOOL Study

Pano-Rodriguez, Alvaro ; Aixa-Requena, Saül ; Batalla-Gavaldà, Abraham ; Beltran-Garrido, Jose Vicente ; López-Laval, Isaac (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Hernández-González, Vicenç ; Jové-Deltell, Carme ; Conesa-Milian, Enric ; Reverter-Masia, Joaquin

Resumen: Objective: This study analyzed the relationship between self-perceived physical fitness and anthropometric and biochemical variables in young athletes from extracurricular sports programs in northeastern Spain. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with a sample of 673 young athletes. Data collection included self-reported physical fitness and objective anthropometric and biochemical measurements. The analysis explored associations between perceived fitness dimensions and physical/biochemical variables, with attention to sex differences. Results: Fat mass showed significant inverse associations with all perceived fitness dimensions: general fitness (OR = 0.62, 95% CI [0.41, 0.94]), cardiorespiratory fitness (OR = 0.56, 95% CI [0.37, 0.83]), muscular strength (OR = 0.61, 95% CI [0.41, 0.91]), speed/agility (OR = 0.59, 95% CI [0.39, 0.88]), and flexibility (OR = 0.57, 95% CI [0.39, 0.84]). Higher fat mass was consistently linked to lower perceived fitness. HDL levels were positively associated with general (OR = 1.40, 95% CI [1.13, 1.74]) and cardiorespiratory fitness (OR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.07, 1.62]), while LDL levels showed no significant effect (p > 0.05). Sex differences emerged for general fitness (OR = 0.52, 95% CI [0.33, 0.82]) and flexibility (OR = 0.51, 95% CI [0.33, 0.78]), favoring boys, but no differences were found for cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, or speed/agility (p > 0.05). This suggests that shared athletic environments may reduce typical sex-based disparities. Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the importance of considering both anthropometric and biochemical variables when evaluating perceived fitness in youth athletes. Regular athletic engagement may buffer sex-based differences in fitness perception.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.3390/jfmk10020175

Año: 2025

Publicado en: Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 10, 2 (2025), 175
ISSN: 2411-5142

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/AEI/PID2020-117932RB-I00

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Educación Física y Depor. (Dpto. Fisiatría y Enfermería)