Background: The aim of this pilot study is to explore the main social factors influencing estimated physical fitness.
Methods: During the academic year of 2014/2015, 909 students from two French universities of the Hauts-de-France region completed a study including standardized anonymous self-reported questionnaires. Data were related to age, sex, social class, physical activity, social life and sociability. Physical fitness estimation was assessed through a validated VO<inf>2max</inf> questionnaire.
Results: A total of 749 17- to 24-year-old students were included. The mean age was 19.58. The sample was composed mainly of girls (59.68%). The mean estimated VO<inf>2max</inf> was 39.30±2.29 for males and 32.79±2.56 for girls. Some significant dependence and risk factors were found between estimated PF and some sociocultural aspects.
Conclusions: Our study shows the importance of the socialization environment. The role, the age and the employment status of the parents are significant as they are a reference for the practice of sports and physical activities. The level of independence and sociability is strongly correlated to estimated physical fitness. These findings stress the need to develop a more holistic study, based on comprehensive and interdisciplinary approaches.