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Purpose <p>Physical fitness (PF) is a key marker of health in adolescents, yet data from underrepresented regions such as northern Mozambique remain scarce. The present study examined PF levels in adolescents from northern Mozambique and explore the influence of sex, age, and environmental factors, including area of residence and province.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted with 919 adolescents (13–17&#xa0;years) from Nampula, Cabo Delgado, and Niassa provinces. PF was assessed using selected tests from the ALPHA-Fitness battery, covering body composition, musculoskeletal fitness, motor fitness, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Multivariate general linear models were used to analyze the effects of sex, age, area of residence, and province.</p> Results <p>Male adolescents outperformed females in most PF components, whereas females had higher weight, body mass index, and waist circumference. Age influenced PF more strongly in boys than girls. Province significantly affected PF, particularly musculoskeletal and motor fitness, while rural–urban residence had minimal impact. Adolescents from Cabo Delgado exhibited the lowest PF levels, reflecting socioeconomic disadvantages and conflict exposure.</p> Conclusion <p>Sex, age, and province are key determinants of PF among northern Mozambican adolescents. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to support adolescent health and context-specific reference standards in underrepresented regions.</p>

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Determinants of physical fitness in adolescents from Northern Mozambique: the role of age, sex, residential area, and province

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月28日

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  • Domingos Carlos Mirione,
  • João Francisco de Castro Silveira,
  • María Rúa-Alonso,
  • Nuria Garatachea,
  • Anelise Reis Gaya

摘要

Purpose

Physical fitness (PF) is a key marker of health in adolescents, yet data from underrepresented regions such as northern Mozambique remain scarce. The present study examined PF levels in adolescents from northern Mozambique and explore the influence of sex, age, and environmental factors, including area of residence and province.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 919 adolescents (13–17 years) from Nampula, Cabo Delgado, and Niassa provinces. PF was assessed using selected tests from the ALPHA-Fitness battery, covering body composition, musculoskeletal fitness, motor fitness, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Multivariate general linear models were used to analyze the effects of sex, age, area of residence, and province.

Results

Male adolescents outperformed females in most PF components, whereas females had higher weight, body mass index, and waist circumference. Age influenced PF more strongly in boys than girls. Province significantly affected PF, particularly musculoskeletal and motor fitness, while rural–urban residence had minimal impact. Adolescents from Cabo Delgado exhibited the lowest PF levels, reflecting socioeconomic disadvantages and conflict exposure.

Conclusion

Sex, age, and province are key determinants of PF among northern Mozambican adolescents. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to support adolescent health and context-specific reference standards in underrepresented regions.