Cardiorespiratory fitness in Chinese children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has become a significant focus in the field of public health. CRF is considered a strong predictor of health outcomes. However, cardiorespiratory fitness levels of children and adolescents are declining.Aims (1) To analyse the cardiorespiratory fitness leve...

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Main Authors: Yihan Meng, Yu Song, Hongjuan Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Annals of Human Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/03014460.2025.2459141
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author Yihan Meng
Yu Song
Hongjuan Li
author_facet Yihan Meng
Yu Song
Hongjuan Li
author_sort Yihan Meng
collection DOAJ
description Background Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has become a significant focus in the field of public health. CRF is considered a strong predictor of health outcomes. However, cardiorespiratory fitness levels of children and adolescents are declining.Aims (1) To analyse the cardiorespiratory fitness levels of children and adolescents in China, focusing on maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), maximum heart rate (HRmax), peak oxygen uptake (Peak VO2) and 20-metre shuttle run test (20 m-SRT). (2) To provide baseline data, with the goal of supporting the development of sports programs, intervention strategies, and public health decision-making.Subjects and methods A meta-analysis was conducted using 30 studies selected from five databases.Results The average performance on 20 m-SRT for Chinese children and adolescents was 34.67 laps, with a VO2max of 46.47 ml/kg/min, HRmax of 195.02 bpm, and Peak VO2 of 48.58 ml/kg/min. Boys outperformed girls in VO2max, 20 m-SRT, and HRmax, although the differences in HRmax and Peak VO2 were not statistically significant. Tibetan children showed better performance than Han children in three indicators with no significant differences found.Conclusion Cardiorespiratory fitness in Chinese children and adolescents is within a healthy range but not optimal. Boys generally perform better than girls, and Tibetan children outperform Han children.
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spelling doaj-art-aa92f75f43dd47ef97372d544e4d5cf52025-08-20T02:38:14ZengTaylor & Francis GroupAnnals of Human Biology0301-44601464-50332025-12-0152110.1080/03014460.2025.2459141Cardiorespiratory fitness in Chinese children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysisYihan Meng0Yu Song1Hongjuan Li2School of Sport Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education of Exercise and Physical Fitness, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Sport Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education of Exercise and Physical Fitness, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Sport Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education of Exercise and Physical Fitness, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, ChinaBackground Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has become a significant focus in the field of public health. CRF is considered a strong predictor of health outcomes. However, cardiorespiratory fitness levels of children and adolescents are declining.Aims (1) To analyse the cardiorespiratory fitness levels of children and adolescents in China, focusing on maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), maximum heart rate (HRmax), peak oxygen uptake (Peak VO2) and 20-metre shuttle run test (20 m-SRT). (2) To provide baseline data, with the goal of supporting the development of sports programs, intervention strategies, and public health decision-making.Subjects and methods A meta-analysis was conducted using 30 studies selected from five databases.Results The average performance on 20 m-SRT for Chinese children and adolescents was 34.67 laps, with a VO2max of 46.47 ml/kg/min, HRmax of 195.02 bpm, and Peak VO2 of 48.58 ml/kg/min. Boys outperformed girls in VO2max, 20 m-SRT, and HRmax, although the differences in HRmax and Peak VO2 were not statistically significant. Tibetan children showed better performance than Han children in three indicators with no significant differences found.Conclusion Cardiorespiratory fitness in Chinese children and adolescents is within a healthy range but not optimal. Boys generally perform better than girls, and Tibetan children outperform Han children.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/03014460.2025.2459141Cardiorespiratory fitnesschildren and adolescentsmeta-analysissystematic review
spellingShingle Yihan Meng
Yu Song
Hongjuan Li
Cardiorespiratory fitness in Chinese children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Annals of Human Biology
Cardiorespiratory fitness
children and adolescents
meta-analysis
systematic review
title Cardiorespiratory fitness in Chinese children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Cardiorespiratory fitness in Chinese children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Cardiorespiratory fitness in Chinese children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Cardiorespiratory fitness in Chinese children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Cardiorespiratory fitness in Chinese children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort cardiorespiratory fitness in chinese children and adolescents a systematic review and meta analysis
topic Cardiorespiratory fitness
children and adolescents
meta-analysis
systematic review
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/03014460.2025.2459141
work_keys_str_mv AT yihanmeng cardiorespiratoryfitnessinchinesechildrenandadolescentsasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis
AT yusong cardiorespiratoryfitnessinchinesechildrenandadolescentsasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis
AT hongjuanli cardiorespiratoryfitnessinchinesechildrenandadolescentsasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis