Physical fitness in Chilean schoolchildren: influence of sociodemographic and territorial variables
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https://doi.org/10.17979/sportis.2026.12.1.12337Abstract
Physical condition is a highly relevant factor for public health in developing countries because it is associated with the prevalence of pandemic diseases such as obesity and chronic non-communicable diseases with high public spending. The purpose of this study is to associate factors such as BMI, gender of the students, socioeconomic level, and type of school with the physical condition of Chilean students, contemplating the relevance of these factors in the optimal performance of tests that measure physical condition. A quantitative approach of descriptive and correlational methodology is used through the Chi-square test to determine the dependence or independence of the described variables. The results reveal a significant relationship between students' physical fitness and their socioeconomic dependence on educational institutions, confirming that social inequalities are also reflected in public health indicators. While no statistically significant gender differences were observed across the country's geographic regions, the findings suggest that structural and contextual factors significantly influence the physical fitness of Chilean students, reflecting the influence of the socioeconomic environment on development opportunities and physical activity.
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