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

<b>Objective</b>: 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. <b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional design was used with a s...

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Main Authors: Alvaro Pano-Rodriguez, Saül Aixa-Requena, Abraham Batalla-Gavaldà, Jose Vicente Beltran-Garrido, Isaac López-Laval, Vicenç Hernández-González, Carme Jové-Deltell, Enric Conesa-Milian, Joaquin Reverter-Masia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/2/175
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author Alvaro Pano-Rodriguez
Saül Aixa-Requena
Abraham Batalla-Gavaldà
Jose Vicente Beltran-Garrido
Isaac López-Laval
Vicenç Hernández-González
Carme Jové-Deltell
Enric Conesa-Milian
Joaquin Reverter-Masia
author_facet Alvaro Pano-Rodriguez
Saül Aixa-Requena
Abraham Batalla-Gavaldà
Jose Vicente Beltran-Garrido
Isaac López-Laval
Vicenç Hernández-González
Carme Jové-Deltell
Enric Conesa-Milian
Joaquin Reverter-Masia
author_sort Alvaro Pano-Rodriguez
collection DOAJ
description <b>Objective</b>: 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. <b>Methods</b>: 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. <b>Results</b>: 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 (<i>p</i> > 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 (<i>p</i> > 0.05). This suggests that shared athletic environments may reduce typical sex-based disparities. <b>Conclusions</b>: 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.
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spelling doaj-art-062a701928264e2d9dd0f049713b73bc2025-08-20T03:27:26ZengMDPI AGJournal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology2411-51422025-05-0110217510.3390/jfmk10020175Self-Perceived Fitness in Young Athletes: Associations with Anthropometric Markers and Lipid Profile as Cardiometabolic Risk Factors—COR-SCHOOL StudyAlvaro Pano-Rodriguez0Saül Aixa-Requena1Abraham Batalla-Gavaldà2Jose Vicente Beltran-Garrido3Isaac López-Laval4Vicenç Hernández-González5Carme Jové-Deltell6Enric Conesa-Milian7Joaquin Reverter-Masia8Faculty of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Department of Specific Didactics, University of Lleida, 25003 Lleida, SpainFaculty of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Department of Specific Didactics, University of Lleida, 25003 Lleida, SpainUniversity School of Health and Sport (EUSES), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43870 Amposta, SpainPhysical Exercise and Performance Research Group, Department of Education Sciences, School of Humanities and Communication Sciences, Universidad Cardenal Herrera—CEU, CEU Universities, 12006 Castellón de la Plana, SpainFaculty of Health and Sport Science, Department of Physiatry and Nursing, University of Zaragoza, 22001 Huesca, SpainFaculty of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Department of Specific Didactics, University of Lleida, 25003 Lleida, SpainFaculty of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Department of Specific Didactics, University of Lleida, 25003 Lleida, SpainFaculty of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Department of Specific Didactics, University of Lleida, 25003 Lleida, SpainFaculty of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Department of Specific Didactics, University of Lleida, 25003 Lleida, Spain<b>Objective</b>: 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. <b>Methods</b>: 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. <b>Results</b>: 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 (<i>p</i> > 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 (<i>p</i> > 0.05). This suggests that shared athletic environments may reduce typical sex-based disparities. <b>Conclusions</b>: 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/2/175physical fitness perceptionanthropometric variablesbiochemical parameterssex differencesyouth athletes
spellingShingle Alvaro Pano-Rodriguez
Saül Aixa-Requena
Abraham Batalla-Gavaldà
Jose Vicente Beltran-Garrido
Isaac López-Laval
Vicenç Hernández-González
Carme Jové-Deltell
Enric Conesa-Milian
Joaquin Reverter-Masia
Self-Perceived Fitness in Young Athletes: Associations with Anthropometric Markers and Lipid Profile as Cardiometabolic Risk Factors—COR-SCHOOL Study
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
physical fitness perception
anthropometric variables
biochemical parameters
sex differences
youth athletes
title Self-Perceived Fitness in Young Athletes: Associations with Anthropometric Markers and Lipid Profile as Cardiometabolic Risk Factors—COR-SCHOOL Study
title_full Self-Perceived Fitness in Young Athletes: Associations with Anthropometric Markers and Lipid Profile as Cardiometabolic Risk Factors—COR-SCHOOL Study
title_fullStr Self-Perceived Fitness in Young Athletes: Associations with Anthropometric Markers and Lipid Profile as Cardiometabolic Risk Factors—COR-SCHOOL Study
title_full_unstemmed Self-Perceived Fitness in Young Athletes: Associations with Anthropometric Markers and Lipid Profile as Cardiometabolic Risk Factors—COR-SCHOOL Study
title_short Self-Perceived Fitness in Young Athletes: Associations with Anthropometric Markers and Lipid Profile as Cardiometabolic Risk Factors—COR-SCHOOL Study
title_sort self perceived fitness in young athletes associations with anthropometric markers and lipid profile as cardiometabolic risk factors cor school study
topic physical fitness perception
anthropometric variables
biochemical parameters
sex differences
youth athletes
url https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/2/175
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