Physical fitness and quality of life among children and adolescents in four cities in China

Objective To analyze the age and gender differences and relevance between physical fitness and quality of life(QOL) in children and adolescents,and to provide bases for making appropriate intervention measures.Methods Totally 4 105 children and adolescents at age of 7-18 years in 4 cities of China were selected and the age and gender differences in physical fitness and QOL were analyzed.Results The ratio of boys with high score of physical fitness(27.2%) was significantly lower than that of the girls(35.2%).The ratio of high physical fitness score in boys and girls of high schools were the lowest(21.9%,26.8%).The scale of QOL of the boys(48.20±10.48) was lower than that of the girls(48.95±8.80).The scale of QOL of junior middle school boys and girls were the lowest(46.93±10.29,46.92±9.62).The scale of QOL of children and abolescents with high score of physical fitness(49.90±10.34) was higher than that of with moderate(48.79±9.92) and low scores(48.23±9.02) with statistical significance(P < 0.05).Conclusion There are differences between age and gender groups in physical fitness and QOL in children and adolescents.There is a close correlation between physical fitness and QOL among children and adolescents.