Reference data on anthropometrics, aerobic fitness and muscle strength in young Norwegian men and women

PURPOSE: Anthropometrics, aerobic fitness and muscle strength are measured in one-third of all 18-year-old Norwegian men and women during yearly selection for compulsory military service. The large sample size and geographical representativity make these data valuable for reference. The main purpose of this study was to present reference data for anthropometrics and physical fitness in young Norwegian men and women. METHODS: All 154,659 subjects (66% men and 34% women, 17–21 years old) who completed physical examinations at conscript selection from 2011 to 2019 were included in the study. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from height and weight measurements. Peak oxygen uptake (VO(2peak)) was estimated from performance on a maximal treadmill test. Muscle strength was measured by isometric chest and leg press, or seated medicine ball throw, standing long jump and pull-ups. RESULTS: Mean BMI (SD) was 23.1 (3.4) and 22.9 (3.3) kg·m(−2) in men and women, respectively (P < 0.001), and 24% of men and 21% of women had a BMI ≥ 25 kg·m(−2). Estimated VO(2peak) was 52.9 (4.6) and 42.7 (3.9) mL·kg(−1)·min(−1) in men and women, respectively (P < 0.001). Men performed significantly better than women on all muscle strength tests, with corresponding effect sizes varying from 1.14 for isometric leg press to 2.96 for seated medicine ball throw. CONCLUSION: The presented reference data on physical fitness in young Norwegian men and women can be used to evaluate population health, serve as reference material for future studies and describes sex differences in several physical fitness parameters. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00421-021-04784-4.