Associations among Musculoskeletal Fitness Assessments and Health Outcomes: The Lisbon Study for the Development and Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Fitness Standards in Youth

This study summarized protocols in the "Lisbon Study for the Development and Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Fitness Standards in Youth" and assessed associations between fitness assessments and health outcomes. The sample was 529 children and adolescents (10 to 18 yr). The fitness assessments included handgrip, vertical jump, long jump, plank, and lower body power. The health outcomes were total body and hip bone mineral content, hip bone mineral density, and total body lean tissue mass. Correlation analyses examined associations unadjusted and adjusted for size and maturity. After adjustment, in females, vertical jump, long jump, and lower body power were associated with all health outcomes (r = 0.22 to 0.55, p < 0.05). In males, all fitness assessments were associated with all health outcomes (r = 0.17 to 0.64, p < 0.05). Musculoskeletal fitness assessments including non-invasive and easy-to-measure field assessments are associated with important muscle and bone health outcomes in youth.