Physical fitness of Tibetan adolescents at different high altitudes in Tibet, China: A comparative study

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveHigh altitude hypoxic environment has a certain negative impact on physical fitness of adolescents. We aimed to understand the physical fitness status of Tibetan adolescents in different high‐altitude areas in Tibet, China.MethodsPhysical fitness items, such as grip strength, standing long jump, sit and reach, 50 m dash, 1000 m run for boys, and 800 m run for girls were tested on 3806 Tibetan adolescents by using stratified whole group sampling method in class units. The mean age of the participants was (15.51 ± 1.69) years for Tibetan males and (15.54 ± 1.69) years for females. One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and other methods were used to make cross‐sectional comparisons of physical fitness performance of Chinese Tibetan adolescents in different high‐altitude regions.ResultsThe standing long jump scores of boys (203.37 ± 28.36) were higher than that of girls (152.97 ± 19.46) and the lowest standing long jump scores of adolescents in Shigatse region (166.39 ± 35.04). The highest level of sit and reach was found among boys (10.69 ± 5.34) in Nyingchi and the lowest level of sit and reach was found among girls (8.42 ± 5.84) in Shigatse. Shigatse region adolescents had the lowest performance in 50 m dash (9.09 ± 1.72) while the best performance in 1000 m run (266.23 ± 35.82) and 800 m run (245.40 ± 27.92).ConclusionThere is variability in the physical fitness of Tibetan adolescents in different high‐altitude regions of Tibet, China. Targeted physical fitness interventions should be carried out for Tibetan adolescents in different high‐altitude regions. The focus should be on improving the endurance quality of Tibetan adolescents in Lhasa and the lower limb muscle strength, flexibility, and speed quality of adolescents in Shigatse.