Exploring Functional Fitness in Children: Preliminary Insights From an Italian Elementary School Cohort

The concept of functional fitness describes the multifaceted nature of motor competence, combining musculoskeletal fitness, coordination, stability, and object control. This study aimed to assess functional fitness level variance across elementary school grades and analyze the relationship of functional fitness components with body mass index, maturity offset, and physical activity. Seventy-one children (mean age 8.49 ± 1.48 years) performed seven tests: Push-Up, Handgrip, Supine-to-Stand-and-Go, Standing Long Jump, Kick and Receive, Throw and Catch, and Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run. Each participant, under parental supervision, also completed the Italian version of Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance or Kruskal–Wallis tests, as appropriate. Significant differences across grades were observed in Handgrip ( p < .001, ϵ 2 = 0.50), Kick and Receive ( p = .008, η 2 = .19), and Throw and Catch ( p < .001, ϵ 2 = 0.31). Post hoc analysis revealed that Fifth-Year students demonstrated higher competency levels compared with First-Year students. Correlation matrices identified some significant associations between previous tests’ scores and body mass index, whereas maturity offset correlated significantly only with Handgrip and Throw and Catch. These results highlight the importance of accounting for individual differences in evaluating and planning for children’s holistic motor-functional development.