Análisis de la relación entre la condición física y el consumo de tabaco en adolescentes de la Región de Murcia en función de la edad y el sexo

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between conditional physical fitness abilities and tobacco use among adolescents in the Region of Murcia, based on age and sex. A total of 1,037 subjects were selected through a multi-stage, non-probabilistic, cluster random sampling method, stratified by sex and age quotas to represent adolescents aged 14 to 17 enrolled in secondary education centers in the Region of Murcia. To measure Physical Fitness (PF), tests from the Health-Related Physical Fitness battery (COFISA) were administered. All tests in the COFISA battery were administered twice, and the best result of the two attempts was recorded, except for the aerobic endurance test, which was administered only once. Regular tobacco use was assessed through a questionnaire consisting of 11 items related to habitual tobacco consumption, categorizing participants into two groups: non-smokers and smokers.The results showed a high percentage of adolescent smokers (48.2%), with a significant positive association between smoking status and female sex. Males performed significantly better in the different physical fitness tests, except in the flexibility test, in which females performed significantly better. The average physical fitness levels recorded for females were almost half a point lower than those of males, with both non-smoking males and females scoring higher average fitness levels than their smoking counterparts. In conclusion, the results of this study may be used to develop intervention strategies that promote the continuous practice of physical and sports activities, serving as a deterrent against tobacco use.