ArticlePloS one2025
Physical Fitness Index and body mass index: A cross-sectional study based on 1.3 million college students.
Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed.
- Effects of progressive-versus constant-intensity high-intensity functional training on health-related physical fitness in untrained female university students: A randomized controlled trial.Journal of exercise science and fitness · 2026Article
- Association Between Body Mass Index and Physical Fitness Among University Students in a Sub-Plateau Region of Gansu Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study.Life (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Limited Association Between Body Mass Index and Selected Components of Physical Fitness in Higher Education Physical Education Students: A Sex- and Country-Specific Analysis.Sports (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Associations between body composition and physical performance in Chinese male adults: a cross-sectional study.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Physical fitness indicators and physical activity behind self-determined motivation in Emirati female college students.Frontiers in sports and active living · 2026Article
- Temporal trends and developmental trajectories of physical fitness among university students: a 13-year accelerated longitudinal study.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundTo explore differences in physical fitness levels among different grade groups and identify the association between body mass index (BMI) and physical fitness index (PFI).
methodsThis study collected data from 1307857 participants (600999 females & 706858 males) who were undergraduate students aged from 18 to 24 years old. PFI was calculated using the z-scores of 5 sex-specific physical fitness items, namely sit-and-reach, broad jump, pull-up/sit-up, 50-meter dash, and 800/1000-meter run. BMI was classified into 4 categories based on the Asian standards recommended by the WHO: (1) BMI < 18.5 kg/m2; (2) 18.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 23 kg/m2; (3) 23 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m2; (4) BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. ANOVA was used to detect variations in PFI among BMI categories and differences in physical fitness levels within grade groups. Finally, quadratic models were constructed to explore the association between BMI and PFI.
results(1) An inverted "J" shape association was identified between BMI and PFI. (2) Both boys and girls in higher grades had higher PFI than those in lower grades.
conclusionsThe association between BMI and PFI is non-linear. Physical development and physical activity engagement may assist in improving the physical fitness level of college students. Therefore, colleges should foster a more physical activity-friendly environment to reduce overweight and obesity rates, thereby enhancing fitness levels.
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