2021, Vol. 8, Issue 1, Part B

Methods & Materials: One-hundred and fifty (age: 18–25 years; sex: 150 boys) were tested for their physical fitness (i.e., endurance [12 min run], speed [50 m sprint], lower- [standing broad jump] and upper-extremity muscle strength [shot put], flexibility [stand-and-reach], and coordination [shuttle run]). Living area (i.e., urban / rural) and sports club participation were assessed using questionnaire.

Results: Over the one year study period, urban compared to rural community showed significantly better performance development for upper- (p = 0.009, ES = 0.16) and lower-extremity strength (p < 0.001, ES = 0.22). Further, significantly better performance development were found for endurance (p = 0.08, ES = 0.19) and lower-extremity strength (p = 0.024, ES = 0.23) for the youth continuously participating in sports clubs compared to their non-participating peers.

Conclusions: This study findings suggest that sport club programs with appealing arrangements appear to represent a good means to promote physical fitness in children living in rural areas.