Physical Fitness as a Parallel Protective Factor Against Sedentary-Related Non-Communicable Disease Risk in Adolescents: A Comprehensive Evidence Synthesis
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.62255/mjhp.v4iSuppl%201.324Abstract
Background: The escalating global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) originates increasingly during adolescence, driven by sedentary, screen-dominated lifestyles. Whether physical fitness mitigates this risk remains conceptually ambiguous.
Objective: To synthesize evidence evaluating physical fitness as a protective factor against sedentary-related NCD risk in school-aged adolescents.
Methods: A comprehensive synthesis of observational studies, cohorts, reviews, and interventions focusing on adolescents (10–19 years). We distinguished total sedentary time from screen-based behavior and evaluated cardiorespiratory (CRF) and muscular fitness against cardiometabolic, adiposity, and mental health outcomes.
Results: Higher CRF consistently correlates with lower adiposity and clustered cardiometabolic risk. However, fitness does not formally buffer sedentary harm; screen-based behavior remains independently detrimental. Muscular fitness offers targeted metabolic protection, notably against insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia. Substituting sedentary time with vigorous physical activity yields the strongest protective effects. School interventions improve CRF but require multidisciplinary components to alter metabolic biomarkers.
Conclusion: Physical fitness provides parallel, rather than moderating, protection against sedentary-related NCD risk. Public health frameworks must concurrently target fitness enhancement and specific screen-time reduction.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Tisnalia Merdya Andyastuti, Moch Yunus, Sendhi Tristanti Puspitasari, Dinda Arisetya Purwadi, Muhammad Revi Purnomosidi
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