Abstract

This study looked at cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and body composition among junior secondary school students in Nigeria, comparing students in urban and semi-urban communities. With physical activity declining and adolescent overweight and obesity becoming more common, there is growing concern about cardiometabolic health in young people. However, local evidence that reflects Nigerian school settings is still limited. Using a cross-sectional design, 612 students aged 11–14 years were recruited from public secondary schools in one metropolitan city and two semi-urban local government areas. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured with the 20-m shuttle run test. Muscular strength was assessed using handgrip dynamometry and the standing broad jump. Body composition was assessed using body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and multivariate regression models. Overall, students in semi-urban settings recorded significantly better cardiorespiratory fitness and performed better in the standing broad jump than students in urban schools. Handgrip strength did not show a clear or consistent difference between settings. In contrast, students in urban schools had higher average BMI and WHtR, and a larger proportion were classified as overweight or centrally obese. Across the full sample, better cardiorespiratory fitness was linked to lower BMI and WHtR. Muscular strength showed smaller but generally positive associations with healthier body composition. When results were examined by sex, boys demonstrated higher muscular strength, while girls showed slightly higher adiposity indicators, regardless of whether they lived in urban or semi-urban areas. These findings suggest meaningful urban–semi-urban differences in fitness and body composition among Nigerian adolescents. The pattern likely reflects differences in daily movement opportunities, including habitual physical activity, active transport, and environmental supports for being active. The study points to the need for context-sensitive school-based physical education and public health strategies that strengthen cardiorespiratory fitness and prevent obesity, especially in rapidly urbanizing areas. Routine fitness monitoring in schools, better access to safe spaces for physical activity, and stronger Human Kinetics-informed curricula could help support healthier adolescent development and reduce future risk of non-communicable diseases.