Abstract
Objectives (1) To develop reference values for health-related fitness in European children and adolescents
aged 6–18 years that are the foundation for the web-based, open-access and multilanguage fitness platform (FitBack); (2) to provide comparisons across European countries.
Methods This study builds on a previous large fitness reference study in European youth by (1) widening the age demographic, (2) identifying the most recent and representative country-level data and (3) including national data from existing fitness surveillance and monitoring systems. We used the Assessing Levels of PHysical Activity and fitness at population level (ALPHA) test battery as it comprises tests with the highest test–retest reliability, criterion/construct validity and health-related predictive validity: the 20 m shuttle run (cardiorespiratory fitness); handgrip strength and standing long jump (muscular strength); and body height, body mass, body mass index and waist circumference (anthropometry). Percentile values were obtained using the generalised additive models for location, scale and shape method.
Results A total of 7 966 693 test results from 34 countries (106 datasets) were used to develop sex-specific
and age-specific percentile values. In addition, country-level rankings based on mean percentiles are
provided for each fitness test, as well as an overall fitness ranking. Finally, an interactive fitness platform,
including individual and group reporting and European fitness maps, is provided and freely available online (www.fitbackeurope.eu).