Abstract
The studies have reported that the health-related fitness of current elementary school students was significant decreased comparing with that of 10 years ago in Taiwan. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting health-related fitness in Taiwanese elementary school. Methods: A total 741,329 elementary school students (third to sixth grade) participated in this study. Body mass index (BMI), sit-and-reach, bent-leg curl-ups, standing long jump, 800 m run were measured as indicators for health-related fitness. Variables of the affecting health-related fitness in this study were urban-rural, school size, sport field and gymnasium, and exercise after class. Results: Elementary students attending rural schools showed higher (p < .05) BMI, sit-and-reach, bent-leg curl-ups, standing long jump than those attending urban one. But elementary students from rural schools had lower (p < .05) 800 M run than those form urban one. Elementary students from larger and middle size schools have better health-related fitness than those from smaller ones. Students in elementary school with sport field or a gymnasium performed well among indicators of health-related fitness. In addition, elementary students engaging exercise after class indicated better health-related fitness than those failing to engaging exercise after class. Conclusion: Variables of urban-rural, school size, sport field and gymnasium, and exercise after class could be the factors of affecting health-related fitness in Taiwanese elementary school.