Is Standing Long Jump Performance More Strongly Associated with Health-Related Outcomes than Maximal Isometric Handgrip Strength in Adolescents?
Journal
Children
Date Issued
2026-02-24
Author(s)
Montalva-Valenzuela, Felipe
Castillo-Paredes, Antonio
Concha-Cisternas, Yeny
Garcia-Carrillo, Exal
Escobar Ruiz, Natalia
Yañez-Sepúlveda, Rodrigo
Molina-Márquez, Iván
Guzmán-Muñoz, Eduardo
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/children13030314
Abstract
Background: Muscular fitness is an important marker of current and future health in adolescents. However, comparisons are lacking that show which tests are most consistently associated with health-related outcomes during adolescence. Objective: This study aimed to analyze whether performance in the SLJ is more strongly associated with health-related outcomes than maximal isometric handgrip strength (MIHS) in secondary school students in Chile. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 113 adolescents (77 males and 36 females, mean age 15.90 ± 1.77). Muscular fitness was assessed using the SLJ and MIHS tests. Health-related outcomes included body mass index (BMI), physical activity level, aerobic capacity, sprint performance, flexibility, sleep quality, and psychological well-being. Pearson correlation analyses and multiple linear regression models adjusted for sex and age were performed to examine associations between muscular fitness tests and health-related outcomes. Results: SLJ showed moderate-to-strong associations with several health-related outcomes, including physical activity (r = 0.42, p < 0.001), aerobic capacity (r = 0.60, p < 0.001), sprint performance (r = −0.74, p < 0.001), and body mass index (r = −0.30, p = 0.001). In contrast, handgrip strength demonstrated weaker and less consistent associations. In adjusted regression models, SLJ remained a significant predictor of most outcomes (β range: 0.27–0.56, p < 0.05), whereas handgrip strength provided limited additional explanatory value. Conclusions: SLJ appears to be a more sensitive and consistent indicator of health-related outcomes in adolescents than MIHS. These findings support the use of SLJ as a practical, low-cost, and easily implementable tool for health and fitness screening in school and community settings.
Facultad