Maciej Kochman

Introduction: The nutritional status of adolescents is a crucial determinant of their overall health and physical fitness. The study's primary aim was to determine the differences in physical fitness levels among adolescents with different nutritional statuses. The secondary aim was to explore the relationship between nutritional status and self-reported physical fitness, attitudes toward physical activity, and sleep duration. Materials and Methods: A total of 235 adolescents aged 16–17 were recruited in the study. The study employed the Zuchora Physical Fitness Index and a self-designed nine-item questionnaire.Results: Individuals with normal nutritional status showed higher levels of physical fitness (p<0.05) and reported better results in physical education at school (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the perceived value of physical activity in daily life, sleep duration, self-reported physical fitness, and opinion about the role of physical activity in someone’s daily life depending on nutritional status (p>0.05). Significant differences were observed in physical fitness depending on sleep duration, self-reported physical fitness, and opinions on physical activity in human life, but only for individuals with normal nutritional status (p<0.05). For individuals with underweight, physical fitness varied depending on self-reported physical fitness (p<0.05). A weak-to-moderate positive correlation was observed between the perceived value of physical activity and physical fitness (p<0.05).Conclusion: Keeping normal nutritional status is related to better physical fitness and school performance in physical education, irrespective of perceptions about the importance of physical activity or sleep duration.

Introduction. Physical fitness is defined as the ability to undertake motor tasks in various life situations. Its development is determined by genotype, health, and lifestyle, but also by many socio-economic and environmental factors. The aim is to determine the environmental factors affecting motor abilities and physical fitness in adolescents. Material and Methods. The authors enrolled 235 high school students aged 16-17 years to participate in this study. The study procedures included Zuchora’s Physical Fitness Index and a survey containing questions regarding general personal information and social-, family- and environment-related factors. Results. No differences occurred in motor abilities and physical fitness between adolescents according to the place and type of residence. In girls, a positive correlation appeared between the number of working people in the family with abdominal muscle strength and general physical fitness. In boys, a positive correlation occurred between arm strength and the number of family members, the number of working people in a family, and the number of children in a family. There was also a positive correlation between the number of children in a family and general physical fitness. In boys with different levels of activity in childhood, differences were found in speed, jumping ability, arm strength, and general physical fitness. In girls with different levels of physical activity in childhood, differences occurred in abdominal strength and general physical fitness. Conclusions. The number of family members, working people and children in a family, and childhood activity seem to be factors determining motor abilities and physical fitness in adolescents while living conditions such as place and type of residence and sharing the bedroom do not.