Özet:

Physical fitness (PF) is an important element for overall health. The scope of the current study was to investigate the level of physical fitness of 12-14 aged students in urban and rural school districts and it's relation to the rate of physical activity participation. A total of 214 students (100 boys and 114 girls) were enrolled in this research, respectively. PF was assessed using five tests from the Fitnessgram Test Battery. According to Fitnessgram health-related fitness standards the prevalence of percent body fat (NI-Health Risk: 22.8% vs. 11.5%; NI: 43.3% vs. 19.5; HFZ: 33.1% vs. 69.0%; Very Lean: 0.8% vs. 0%); BMI (NI-Health Risk: 4.7% vs. 2.3%; NI: 17.3% vs. 5.7%; HFZ: 67.7% vs. 78.2%; Very Lean: 10.2% vs. 13.8%) and VO2max (NI: 12.6% vs. 0%; HFZ: 87.4% vs. 100%) were found in the overall sample in urban and rural school districts, respectively. As stated in Kruskal-Wallis H test results, the students in the urban school districts had significantly higher body weight (x2(1) =20.44, p=0,000), percent body fat(x2(1) =20.49, p=0.000), BMI(x2(1) =15.45, p=0.000) and significantly lower VO2max (x2(1) =11.21, p=0.001), curl-ups (x2(1) =54.77, p=0.000), 90o push-ups (x2(1) =5.09, p=0.024) and PA participation rates (x2(1) =85.02, p=0.000) compared to  counterparts in the rural school districts. In conclusion, the physical activity participation levels of the overall students were positively associated with the school district, VO2max, curl-up, and push-up. However, it was negatively correlated with body weight, percent body fat, and BMI in urban and rural school districts.

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