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Background Several studies have assessed the fitness level of students to evaluate physical condition, compare groups with differences in social disadvantage and to define indexes for post training programs. Often, these large surveys compared groups without normative value that could define the real, practical gaps. Thus, the aim of this study was the definition of baseline values describing the fitness level of sedentary European students. Methods Standing broad jump (SBJ), sit up (SUP) and sit and reach (SAR) physical fitness tests were assessed on 31,476 students (age=11-13) from 6 European countries were collected and analyzed. Results The effect size for multiple groups ANOVA was obtained to verify the biological consistence of differences. Then, weighted-means were calculated and stratified for age and gender. Overall, boys obtained SAR scores close to zero, while girls obtained results between 2 and 7 cm. The SUP test revealed similar results between boys and girls (about 20). SBJ performances were similar among countries (over 160 cm for boys and 150 for girls). Conclusions Our results were aligned to other studies performed in other Continents or Countries and can contribute to the establishment of a large and objective reference to readily evaluate the physical fitness and health-related status of young students.

Young people performance is often used to define the well-being and physical activity level. Several studies were assessed in school environments where more sedentary students were recruitable. As such, over 3800 students were tested with Shuttle Run Test (5m x 10) and Cooper endurance test during Physical Education classes. Shuttle Run Test was assessed according to the instructions given by Eurofit battery while the endurance trial was run in the playing field of each school. All phases of the test were run by teachers who collected data. During growth, males and females followed different trends: females showed the highest peak between 11 and 12 years while males between 13 and 14 years. Between 11 and 14 females increased their weight by about 10 kgs, while males gained 16 kgs. During Shuttle Run Test, the mean time spent performing the trial was 19,27 sec (M) and 20,25 sec (F). In both sexes the 13 and 14 year-old students were quickest while the 12 year-old students were the slowest. Males performed the test between 3200 m and 810 m while females performed 1795 m (on average). Statistical differences were found only between Cooper test and gender in all age groups. Disinclination for active life style is widespread however school education programs could reach all young people and arrange the tendency of students towards sport and well being.

Physical Activity Effects in Elderly Female: Evaluation through Six-minute Walking Test Study aim. Aerobic capacity is very important for elderly. Daily living activities, such as walking, doing housework and shopping, require a good strength, but also a good aerobic endurance. The aim of this study was to verify the effects of regular training activity on a typical daily action, such as deambulation. Material and methods. Twenty-six volunteer elderly women randomly divided into two groups, group II (age = 64,5 ± 3,58 years, weight = 61,67 ± 4,25 kg, height = 1,62 ± 0,04 m; BMI = 23,67 ± 1,79 kg m-2), group I (age = 65,21 ± 4,59 years, weight = 63,36 ± 7,59 kg, height = 1,62 ± 0,06 m; BMI = 24,1 ± 1,98 kg m-2) participated in this study. Groups performed endurance training for eight weeks (2 days per week, 1 hour each, for experimental group II; 1 day per week, 1 hour each, for experimental group I). Exercises involved in many possibilities of physical expression to keeping all body in motion for at least 30 min. During the second 30 min exercises for abdominal and lower limb muscles were proposed. The physical efficacy was tested through 6 min walking test. Results. After the training all people increased the distance in the test. Group II participants significantly improved their distance (pre-training = 636.25 m, post-training = 673.75 m). Group I reported also improvements (pre = 568.21 m; post = 600 m), but with a minor level of significance. Conclusions. Specific regular physical activity provides significant benefits adopting two sessions per week but it is also important do not underestimate the possibility, where people can not, of a one training session per week. Regular and adequate levels of physical activity allow improving daily living activity helping the elderly to keep their autonomy as long as possible.

The goal of this study was to investigate the differences in physical fitness in relation to urban or rural living environment and between two countries: Italy and Croatia. Over 14,000 students were tested during physical education (PE) lessons. Croatian students were taller and heavier than Italian students, with women achieving better results in flexibility. Urban students were fitter in abdominal strength than rural students. Age seemed to be the major factor influencing the performance. This study's results indicate a trend: urban students performed “indoor” tests better than rural students; the opposite may be true for rural students. Living environment, socio-economic-status, or cultural correlation differences could be decreased during school experiences. Thus, PE programs could train all people toward an adequate, age-based fitness level.

Strength in Young Italian Students: Results from Eurofit Test and Comparison Among European Data Introduction. The health-related benefits of physical activity are well known. Participation in a physical activity could improve social well-being, as well as physical and mental health, among children and adolescents. Material and methods. Thus, during Physical Education lessons, over 1500 students were tested with the Bent Arm Hung and the Standing Broad Jump test; according to the instructions given by Eurofit battery. All phases of the test had been run by teachers that collected data relative to lower limb power and upper limbs isometric endurance strength. Results. Females jumped 150 cm (on average) while in Bent Arm Hung scored scantly results. The variability was high in both test. Males jumped over their own height with a variation smaller than females'. About isometric endurance strength the best group was the 16 years (male). Conclusion. These two tests showed in both genders a similar pattern to that of other young Europeans but future research are necessary to separate the correlation about country, rural area of origin and socioeconomic status. It may be concluded that the level of physical activity (and the possibility to play it) was a decisive factor on the level of performance.

S aim. Deambulation is a basic activity to preserve elderly independence. Indeed, a good gait leads to decrease risk of falls. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of balance and strenght training on typical dayly action. In particular, lower limb, abdominal and gluteos muscles were trained by voluntary action. Material and methods. Sixteen volunteer elderly women (age=69±5,03 years; weight=63,75±9,02 kg; height=1,60±0,06 m; BMI=25,11±3,68 kg m-2) participated in this study. The group performed strength and balance training for eight week (2 days per week, 1 hour each): training loads were increased every two week according to the subjects’ feedback. The physical efficacy was tested throught two senior fitness tests: chair stand test and 8 foot up and go test. The skills to conserve balance in static and dinamic action were tested through the widespread Tinetti test. A control group was, also, tested during the same session but no physical training was administered. Results. Balance and strength training were related to gait performance. Indeed, all people increased the Tinetti score (at least one point), their performance about stand up and sit on the chair (19%), and decreased the time spent to stand up, walking a straight path with change of sense and return to sit on the chair (from 7,84 sec to 6,33 sec). The control group showed improvement but not significative from a statistic point of view. Conclusions. The balance and strenght training allow to improve (p

In this study, the neck and head relative to the ground were more flexed, while the head relative to the neck was more extended, in the subjects who were blind than in the sighted subjects. The introduction of external (sound) or proprioceptive (mandibular position, look ahead) inputs modified craniocervical posture and relationships (extension) in both groups.

Variations in body posture were evaluated in 19 blind and 19 sighted adults by changes in the subjects’ center of foot pressure on a force plate in time in three positions. The subjects who were blind had significantly larger body sway than did the sighted subjects in all trials except those in the sound position, where they had a better control of their stance than did the sighted subjects, and their body oscillations were also reduced in the forward-looking position. Thus, sound or proprioceptive adjunctive inputs can significantly alter body sway in adults who are blind.