Factors affecting running performance in 6–12-year-olds: The Health Oriented Pedagogical Project (HOPP)

Abstract

Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine factors affecting running performance in children. Method: A cross-sectional study exploring the relationships between height, weight, waist circumference, muscle mass, body fat percentage, relevant biomarkers, and the Andersen intermittent running test in 2272 children aged 6 to 12 years. Parental education level was used as a non-physiological explanatory variable. Results: Mean values (SD) and percentiles are presented as reference values. Height (β = 6.4, p < .0001), high values of haemoglobin (β = 18, p = .013) and low percentage of body fat (β = –7.5, p < .0001) showed an association with results from the running test. In addition, high parental education level showed a positive association with the running test. Conclusion: Boys display better running performance than girls at all age ages, except 7 years old, probably because of additional muscle mass and less fatty tissue. Height and increased level of haemoglobin positively affected running performance. Lower body fat percentage and high parental education level correlated with better running performance.