Monitoring fitness levels and detecting implications for health on a large scale of the general population

Abstract : Objective: To analyze the physical fitness level of 31 133 French citizens aged between 8 and 60 years old and represent the performances through a bi-exponential model. Methods: We collected data from 231 events that took place in French regions between 2006 and 2010 and analyzed participation and physical fitness using a simple series of tests. We assessed outcome measures in relation to age and BMI using Spearman Rho, a one way ANOVA and a bi-exponential model. Results: Our major results showed higher performances for men and for subjects with normal BMI at all age groups except for the flexibility test. Body mass index is strongly correlated across all ages with physical fitness p < 0.0001. Those results are in accordance with the literature. Furthermore, through a biexponential model, a mean peak performance was identified at 26.32 years old for men and 22.18 years old for women. Conclusion: Physical fitness assessment using simple tests is applicable on the general population and is correlated to age, BMI and health status. The application of a bi-exponential model offers a global approach to monitor public health.