Physical fitness level of Central European children and adolescents 100 years ago and today

Background: In 2023, exactly 100 years have passed since the first nationwide testing of the physical fitness level among youth in the territory of the former Czechoslovakia.

Purpose: As part of this unique and unrepeatable opportunity, the main aim of the study was to conduct repeated cross-sectional research based on historical methodology and to compare objectively measured physical fitness data in 11–19-year-old children and adolescents from Central Europe between 1923 and 2023.

Methods: The research was carried out according to contemporary methodology from 1923. The repeated cross-sectional research in 2023 included a sample of 4,741boys and girls selected from 15 Czech and 5 Slovak schools. Research methods included both somatic measurements (body height, sitting height, and body weight) and motor tests (standing broad jump, standing small ball throw, pull-ups, speed running, and endurance running).

Results: All somatic characteristics increased after 100 years. For example, the average increase in body height is 9.8 cm for 18-year-old boys and 9.6 cm for girls of the same age. The average increase in body weight is 11.6 kg for boys and 7.1 kg for girls. The development in motor performance is inconsistent. Compared to historical data, current results are significantly better in standing broad jump or speed running and worse in standing small ball throw or pull-ups. In endurance running, values differ according to age category (younger children have today better results than 100 years ago, older adolescents vice versa).

Conclusions: The findings showed an increase in all somatic characteristics in Central European children and adolescents after 100 years, most progressively in body weight. Motor performance is generally at a similar level.

Practical implications: Long-term monitoring of physical fitness is an important indicator of health in the pediatric population.

Funding: This study was supported by the research grant of Technical University of Liberec (SGS-2023-4397).