text:
European fitness landscape for children and adolescents: updated reference values, fitness maps and country rankings based on nearly 8 million test results from 34 countries gathered by the FitBack network
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2001-1121Francisco B Ortega1,2,3,
Bojan Leskošek4,
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7200-894XRok Blagus4,5,6,
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0723-876XJosé J Gil-Cosano1,7,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6931-3932Jarek Mäestu8,
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7601-9670Grant R Tomkinson9,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7548-7138Jonatan R Ruiz1,3,10,
Evelin Mäestu8,
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9822-0308Gregor Starc4,
Ivana Milanovic11,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1771-3977Tuija H Tammelin12,
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6835-1438Maroje Sorić4,13,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5376-3197Claude Scheuer14,15,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5103-6236Attilio Carraro16,
Mónika Kaj17,
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2037-9217Tamás Csányi17,18,19,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6230-6027Luis B Sardinha20,
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3906-1137Matthieu Lenoir21,
Arunas Emeljanovas22,
Brigita Mieziene22,
Labros S Sidossis23,
Maret Pihu8,
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4115-0833Nicola Lovecchio24,25,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9673-8469Kenn Konstabel26,27,
Konstantinos D Tambalis28,29,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7705-7801Lovro Štefan13,30,31,
Clemens Drenowatz32,
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4920-1113Lukáš Rubín33,34,
Seryozha Gontarev35,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7353-0382José Castro-Piñero36,37,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0570-1522Jérémy Vanhelst38,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4590-3460Brendan O'Keeffe39,
Oscar L Veiga40,
Thordis Gisladottir41,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5443-6518Gavin Sandercock42,
Marjeta Misigoj-Durakovic13,
Claudia Niessner43,
Eva-Maria Riso8,
Stevo Popovic44,45,
Saima Kuu46,
Mai Chinapaw47,
Iván Clavel48,49,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4334-3287Idoia Labayen50,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2425-4932Janusz Dobosz51,
Dario Colella52,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3384-7940Susi Kriemler53,
Sanja Salaj13,
Maria Jose Noriega54,
Klaus Bös43,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0217-0623Mairena Sánchez-López55,56,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9199-2871Timo A Lakka57,58,59,
Garden Tabacchi60,
Dario Novak13,
Wolfgang Ahrens61,
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9660-6618Niels Wedderkopp62,
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4269-0970Gregor Jurak4
the FitBack, HELENA and IDEFICS consortia
1Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Department of Physical and Sports Education; Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), CIBERobn Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, Granada, Spain
2Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
3Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
4Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
5Institute for Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
6Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška, Slovenia
7Department of Communication and Education, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Dos Hermanas, Spain
8Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
9Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
10Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, ibs.Granada, Granada, Spain
11University of Belgrade, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Belgrade, Serbia
12JAMK University of Applied Sciences, School of Health and Social Studies, LIKES, Jyväskylä, Finland
13University of Zagreb, The Faculty of Kinesiology, Zagreb, Croatia
14European Physical Education Association (EUPEA)
15Department of Education and Social Work, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
16Faculty of Education, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Brixen, Italy
17Hungarian School Sport Federation, Budapest, Hungary
18Department of Physical Education Theory and Methodology, Hungarian University of Sports Science, Budapest, Hungary
19Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Primary and Pre-School Education, ELTE, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
20Exercise and Health Laboratory, CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, 1499-002 Cruz-Quebrada, Portugal
21Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
22Lithuanian Sports University, Department of Physical and Social Education, Kaunas, Lithuania
23Mediterranean Lifestyle Medicine Institute and Department of Kinesiology and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, USA
24Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
25Confederation of Italian Associations of Physical Education Teachers (Capdi & LSM), Venezia, Italy
26Department of Chronic Diseases, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
27Institute of Psychology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
28Harokopio University, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Athens, Greece
29National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Athens, Greece
30Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
31Recruitment and Examination (RECETOX), Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
32Division of Sport, Physical Activity and Health, University of Education Upper Austria, Linz, Austria
33Institute of Active Lifestyle, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
34Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Science, Humanities and Education, Technical University of Liberec, Liberec, Czech Republic
35Faculty of Physical Education, Sport and Health. Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
36GALENO Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Cadiz, Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain
37Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz (INiBICA), Cádiz, Spain
38Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Inserm U1153, Inrae U1125, Cnam, Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (EREN), Centre of Research in Epidemiology and Statistics - University of Paris Cité (CRESS), Bobigny, France
39Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
40EstiLIFE Research Group. Department of Physical Education, Sport and Human Movement, Faculty of Teaching Training and Education, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
41Center of Sport and Health Sciences, School of Education, University of Iceland, Reykjavik Iceland
42School of Sport Rehabilitation and Exercise Science, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
43Institute of Sports and Sports Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
44University of Montenegro, Faculty for Sport and Physical Education, Niksic, Montenegro
45Western Balkan Sport Innovation Lab, Podgorica, Montenegro
46Tallinn University, School of Natural Sciences and Health, Tallinn, Estonia
47Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
48Galician Sport Foundation, General Sport Secretariat, Galician Government, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
49Performance and Health Group, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of A Coruña, Coruña, Spain
50Research Institute for Innovation & Sustainable Food Chain Development, Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
51Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Poland
52Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
53Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
54Department of Physiology & Pharmacology University of Cantabria, Cantabria, Spain
55Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Health and Social Research Center, Cuenca, Spain
56Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, School of Education, Ciudad Real, Spain
57Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, Finland
58Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
59Foundation for Research in Health Exercise and Nutrition, Kuopio Research Institute of Exercise Medicine, Kuopio, Finland
60Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
61Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS, Bremen, Germany
62The Pediatric Research Unit, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
Correspondence to Francisco B Ortega; ortegaf{at}ugr.es; Gregor Jurak; Gregor.Jurak{at}fsp.uni-lj.si
Objectives (1) To develop reference values for health-related fitness in European children and adolescents aged 6–18 years that are the foundation for the web-based, open-access and multilanguage fitness platform (FitBack); (2) to provide comparisons across European countries.
Methods This study builds on a previous large fitness reference study in European youth by (1) widening the age demographic, (2) identifying the most recent and representative country-level data and (3) including national data from existing fitness surveillance and monitoring systems. We used the Assessing Levels of PHysical Activity and fitness at population level (ALPHA) test battery as it comprises tests with the highest test–retest reliability, criterion/construct validity and health-related predictive validity: the 20 m shuttle run (cardiorespiratory fitness); handgrip strength and standing long jump (muscular strength); and body height, body mass, body mass index and waist circumference (anthropometry). Percentile values were obtained using the generalised additive models for location, scale and shape method.
Results A total of 7 966 693 test results from 34 countries (106 datasets) were used to develop sex-specific and age-specific percentile values. In addition, country-level rankings based on mean percentiles are provided for each fitness test, as well as an overall fitness ranking. Finally, an interactive fitness platform, including individual and group reporting and European fitness maps, is provided and freely available online (www.fitbackeurope.eu).
Conclusion This study discusses the major implications of fitness assessment in youth from health, educational and sport perspectives, and how the FitBack reference values and interactive web-based platform contribute to it. Fitness testing can be conducted in school and/or sport settings, and the interpreted results be integrated in the healthcare systems across Europe.
Data may be obtained from a third party and are not publicly available. This article includes data from more than 100 datasets. Data sharing permission should be requested to the researchers of each individual dataset. References for each dataset can be found in online supplemental table 1.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2022-106176
Fitness testing in youth is important from health, educational and sport points of view.
The European Union-funded ALPHA project reviewed the existing evidence and proposed a selection of field-based fitness tests that showed the highest test–retest reliability, criterion/construct validity and health-related predictive validity among available tests.
The FitBack project provides the most up-to-date and geographically diverse reference fitness values for Europeans 6–18 years of age.
This study introduces the first web-based, open-access and multilingual fitness reporting platform (FitBack) providing interactive information and visual mapping of the European fitness landscape.
HOW THIS STUDY MIGHT AFFECT RESEARCH, PRACTICE OR POLICY
From a health perspective, very low fitness levels are a non-invasive indicator of poor health at both individual and group levels (eg, school and region), which have utility for health screening and may guide public health policy. There are already examples of regional and national fitness testing systems that are integrated into healthcare systems.
From an educational perspective, fitness testing is part of the school curriculum in many countries, and the FitBack platform offers physical education teachers an easy-to-use tool for interpreting fitness test results by sex and age.
From a sport perspective, these reference values can help identify young individuals who are talented in specific fitness components.
Robust and consistent evidence supports that physical fitness is a powerful marker of health in children and adolescents.1 2 Among the different fitness components, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF, used in the literature and this article interchangeably with aerobic fitness) and muscular strength (used in the literature and this article interchangeably with muscular fitness) have shown the strongest and most consistent health-related associations and are therefore considered to be the main health-related fitness components.3 4 Other fitness components include flexibility, motor fitness and body composition/anthropometry (height, body mass, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference). Recently, data from large registries have added compelling evidence linking both CRF and muscular strength in late adolescence with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular-specific and cancer-specific mortality in later life.5–8 In addition, these two fitness components predict severe, chronic and irreversible all-cause disease 30 years later as indicated by granted disability pensions,9–12 and also specifically cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurological and psychiatric diseases granted by a disability pension.9–12 Particularly, CRF is the most well-studied and strongest predictor of future health.2 Indeed, a position stand from the American Heart Association has highlighted the clinical value of CRF in youth and recommended that it be regularly assessed.13 In addition to the well-documented associations between fitness and physical/mental health among youth,1–4 14 emerging evidence supports that better fitness is related to better cognition, academic performance, and healthier structural and functional brain outcomes.15–29 For example, recent observations from the ActiveBrains project have shown that total brain size, as well as total grey and white matter volumes, is larger in fit compared with unfit children with overweight/obesity.30 This is important because total brain size is positively associated with intelligence.31 These findings are in line with those from Chaddock and colleagues, who included children also with normal weight, and found that fitter kids had larger grey matter volumes in subcortical brain regions such as hippocampus17 and dorsal stratium.19
The evidence hereby presented about fitness as a powerful marker of health in youth supports the relevance of fitness assessment at the individual and population levels. However, the availability of different fitness batteries/tests leads to a lack of consistency and comparability across studies. To address this problem, the European Commission funded the ALPHA project. By conducting a set of systematic reviews2 32 33 and methodological papers, the ALPHA consortium aimed to identify the field-based fitness tests that demonstrated the highest test–retest reliability, criterion/construct validity and health-related predictive validity (see ALPHA summary article34). Anthropometry and body composition are known to be tightly linked to fitness performance and health and were therefore considered as fitness components in the ALPHA project. The final output of the project was the ALPHA-fitness test battery for children and adolescents, which in its high-priority version (a shorter, more suitable version for school-based use) recommended using: the 20 m shuttle run test for assessing CRF; the handgrip and standing long jump tests for assessing muscular strength and power; and BMI and waist circumference as indicators of total and central obesity, respectively. A year later and after following a similar systematic review process, the US Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Medicine) recommended these same tests for the assessment of youth physical fitness,35 36 strengthening the recommendation of using the ALPHA fitness test battery.
As the next step to the ALPHA project, the European Commission funded the FitBack consortium (www.fitbackeurope.eu), representing the European Network for the Support of Development of Systems for Monitoring Physical Fitness of Children and Adolescents. The major goal of the network is to take an important step toward the implementation of fitness surveillance and monitoring across Europe as an educational tool for physical literacy.37 The final output of the FitBack project has been the development of a web-based, open-access and multilanguage fitness platform which allows the results of fitness testing to be automatically and interactively interpreted based on sex-specific and age-specific reference values and is supported by user-friendly visual feedback and tips for improvement. For this purpose, we gathered available fitness data on European children and adolescents. Previous fitness reference values published were mostly from individual countries (see references in online supplemental table 1) or multicentre EU projects (eg, IDEFICS - Identification and prevention of Dietary- and lifestyle-induced health EFfects in Children and infantS - and HELENA - Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence - projects38 39) collecting data in one to two cities per country. The study by Tomkinson and colleagues provided the first European reference values that included numerous countries and covered a wide age demographic (subjects 9–17 years old).40 However, until now, European reference values have not covered all school-age children (primary, secondary and high school) from age 6 years to 18 years. Also, the writing group was aware of nationally representative fitness monitoring systems and large datasets not included in Tomkinson's study, indicating the need to update existing reference values. There was also a pressing need to develop an automated, freely accessible web platform containing these normative values to facilitate the interpretation of sex-specific and age-specific fitness test results.
[bjsports-2022-106176supp001.pdf]
The aim of this article is to develop health-related fitness reference values for European children and adolescents aged 6–18 years. Additionally, we provide European fitness maps and country ranking for the main health-related fitness components, all together as part the new, free-access, FitBack web platform (www.fitbackeurope.eu). Since paediatric obesity is being comprehensively monitored by other organisations (eg, World Obesity Federation, www.worldobesity.org/; WHO-Europe www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/nutrition/activities/who-european-childhood-obesity-surveillance-initiative-cosi), the focus of this article is mainly on CRF and muscular strength. Nonetheless, we also provide reference values and European maps for anthropometric measures (body height, body mass, BMI and waist circumference) as online supplemental material.
Data search and pooling
A systematic review of existing datasets including fitness tests in children and adolescents was previously performed by Tomkinson et al and details of the search have been published.40 These data were included in the FitBack dataset, with Monte Carlo simulation used to produce pseudo data (from reported means and SDs) when raw data were unavailable. In addition to this, the authors of the FitBack network conducted a centralised narrative search based on fitness terms to identify new datasets not included in the Tomkinson et al review.40 For inclusion, valid data on sex, age and at least one of the ALPHA fitness tests (high-priority version) was required. In the previous study by Tomkinson et al, the age range was 9–17 year old, whereas in this study, we widened the age demographic to include subjects aged 6–18 years old. It is important to note that our search strategy was focused on fitness, and specific searches on adiposity, BMI or waist circumference were not conducted for pragmatic reasons (eg, the very large number of studies including these key words). Therefore, it is possible that we missed relevant anthropometry-specific datasets. This, together with the fact that other organisations are comprehensively monitoring paediatric obesity, is the reason why we primarily focused on CRF and muscular strength, and reported results for anthropometric measures (body height, body mass, BMI and waist circumference) as online supplemental material.
The FitBack network involved numerous experienced researchers working in paediatric fitness across Europe, which helped to identify unpublished fitness datasets that were pooled with gathered data. Moreover, large datasets from existing surveillance systems in Europe such as SLOfit,41 NETFIT42 and Fitescola43 were also included. Further, we excluded older datasets if a more recent and more representative dataset was available for certain countries. The ambition was to use the most recent available data for each country, which in some cases was a single large dataset, while in others was the accumulation of several studies or datasets covering different geographical regions within a country. Sources used for generating the reference values are available on the FitBack website (www.fitbackeurope.eu/en-us/fitness-map/sources) as well as in online supplemental table 1.
Physical fitness measures
The FitBack dataset was compiled for studies that used the ALPHA fitness test battery2 32–34 since these tests have shown to be feasible, reliable, valid, and scalable for children and adolescents. Moreover, some of them are used in well-established European national fitness surveillance and monitoring systems like SLOfit,41 NETFIT42 and Fitescola.43 Specifically, CRF was assessed using the 20 m shuttle run test.44 The number of completed stages was used as an indicator of CRF. However, different studies had expressed the result of the 20 m shuttle run test in other units, such as completed laps (shuttles) or speed at the last completed stage, and there are at least three known protocols/versions of this test.45 All data were converted and harmonised into completed stages according to the original Léger protocol,44 as described elsewhere.45 Muscular strength was assessed by the handgrip strength (ie, upper-limb muscular strength) and standing long jump tests (ie, lower-limb muscular strength). Total and abdominal adiposities were assessed by BMI and waist circumference, respectively, following standardised procedures. For handgrip, most studies collected data from both hands, with the average of the best performance from both hands used in our analyses. Two studies had handgrip strength data only for the dominant hand, which is known to be systematically higher compared with the non-dominant hand. Exploratory analyses on Spanish data in children46 showed a 0.6 kg mean difference between hands, and thus, we applied a –0.3 kg correction factor to these two studies to estimate the average score.
We applied different cleansing procedures to the data. First, data were trimmed to remove values outside the probable lower and upper limits. The limits were defined based on authors' experiences working with previous large datasets. The limits used were 20 m shuttle run (0–21 stages), handgrip strength (0–80 kg), standing long jump (15–330 cm), body height (80–220 cm), body mass (0–200 kg), BMI (7–60 kg/m2) and waist circumference (40–130 cm). Second, outliers were identified and removed as follows. For each fitness measure, herein referred to as the test, a multivariate regression model including the test as the dependent variable and age (modelled as a cubic spline with 5 degrees of freedom (df)), sex and their interaction as independent variables was fitted. Studentised residuals were obtained, and then 0.01% of the subjects with the smallest and largest studentised residuals were removed from further analysis. Weights were computed via iterative poststratification (aka iterative proportional fitting)47 to match the sample joint distributions by age, sex and country to population data. Country-specific population values were obtained from EUROSTAT. The sample weights were trimmed to avoid excessively large sampling variances.47
Percentile curves and reference values were developed using generalised additive models for location, scale and shape (GAMLSS).48 Several continuous (Box-Cox Cole and Green (BCCG), Box-Cox power exponential (BCPE), Box-Cox-t (BCT), generalised inverse Gaussian) distributions were fitted to the data, optimising the df for P-splines fit for all parameters of the respective distributions using Schwarz Bayesian criterion (SBC); appropriate link functions were used for the parameters. BCCG is routinely used in the lambda mu sigma (LMS) method.49 BCPE and BCT are extensions of LMS adding an extra parameter, ν, to allow modelling (positive or negative) kurtosis (with
BCPE and BCCG (LMS) coincide). In all the models,
were used for the power transformation of age. Separate analyses were performed for boys and girls. The final model for each test and sex was determined by using SBC. The analysis was performed using R language for statistical computing (R V.3.6.3)50; GAMLSS were fitted using R package GAMLSS51; poststratification weights were obtained using R package survey.51 The best fitting model for each test is presented in online supplemental table 2.
After cleaning and removing outliers, 7 966 693 test results were available, including 1 026 077 for the 20 m shuttle run; 787 966 for handgrip strength, 1 345 159 for standing long jump, 1 466 821 for body height, 1 466 295 for body mass, 1 464 795 for BMI, and 409 580 for waist circumference. These data came from 106 datasets belonging to 34 European countries, on children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years. We originally aimed to collect data as recent as possible to obtain up-to-date reference values, preferably since 2000. Most (69%) datasets (representing 95% of all test results) were collected post-2000; however, pre-2000 data were included when post-2000 were unavailable at the country level. Using these data, we developed CRF and muscular strength reference values (tables 1–3) and corresponding percentile curves (figure 1). Reference values for body height, body mass, BMI and waist circumference are presented in online supplemental tables 3-6 and online supplemental figures 1 and 2. Percentile curves for CRF and muscular strength are higher for boys compared with girls across all ages, with differences increasing with age. The age-related increase in fitness performance tends to stabilise from age 14 years to 15 years onwards. Variation between the fittest (eg, percentiles 90–99) and least fit (eg, percentiles 1–10) is larger for boys compared with girls, particularly for the 20 m shuttle run and handgrip strength tests.
Percentile curves for cardiorespiratory and muscular strength tests among European children and adolescents. Smoothed percentiles were calculated using the generalised additive model for location, scale and shape method, and weights were applied according to country population. Data sources are available online (https://www.fitbackeurope.eu/en-us/fitness-map/sources) and in online supplemental table 1.
Reference values (percentiles) for cardiorespiratory fitness as assessed by the 20 m shuttle run test (expressed in completed stages as a decimal) in European children and adolescents (N=1 026 077)
Reference values (percentiles) for muscular strength as assessed by the handgrip strength test (expressed in kg, average of the maxima for both hands) in European children and adolescents (N=787 966)
Reference values (percentiles) for muscular strength as assessed by the standing long jump test (expressed in cm) in European children and adolescents (N=1 345 159)
Mean country-level percentiles and rankings are shown in table 4. Country-level rankings based on mean percentiles are provided for each fitness test, as well as an average estimate for each fitness component (CRF, muscular strength) and the overall European fitness ranking. The top 5 most aerobically fit countries were Iceland, Norway, Slovenia, Denmark and Finland, and the top 5 physically strong countries were Denmark, Czech Republic, The Netherlands (only one muscular strength test available), Slovenia and Finland. Online supplemental tables 7 and 8 show the corresponding country-level mean percentile and ranking positions for body height, body mass, BMI and waist circumference.
Mean percentile and ranking position of each country according to the pooled EU reference values
Country comparisons according to mean percentiles are also graphically represented in figure 2, with European fitness maps for each test shown separately. The traffic light colour code was used to represent country-specific percentile ranks, with red indicating lower fitness levels, yellow indicating intermediate fitness levels and green indicating higher fitness levels. The corresponding European maps for BMI and waist circumference are presented as online supplemental figure 3. These maps are available in an interactive mode at the FitBack web platform (www.fitbackeurope.eu/en-us/fitness-map) for boys and girls, together and separately. Visual inspection of the fitness maps shows that Southern European countries and the UK generally performed the worst. The correlation between country-level CRF and muscular strength rankings was moderate (r=0.59) and is graphically represented in figure 3. Shaded areas represent those countries ranked in the top 10 for CRF, muscular strength or both.
European fitness maps for cardiorespiratory and muscular strength in children and adolescents. Sex-specific and age-specific percentile values were calculated using available country-level data and were averaged across sexes and ages to obtain the mean percentile for each country compared with the EU reference values. Smoothed percentiles were calculated using the generalised additive model for location, scale and shape method, and weights were applied according to country population. Separate European fitness maps for girls and boys for these tests (as well as those for the obesity markers of body mass index and waist circumference) are available online (www.fitbackeurope.eu/en-us/fitness-map). The website map is interactive so that detailed information for each country is shown with the mouseover function. Not all countries have representative data, and therefore, caution should be paid when interpreting country comparisons presented in this study and in the platform. Data sources are available online (www.fitbackeurope.eu/en-us/fitness-map/sources) and in online supplemental table 1. EU, European Union.
Country average ranking in muscular strength and CRF in European children and adolescents. CRF in European children and adolescents. The ranking for muscular strength was computed as the average of the country ranking position in HGS and SLJ tests, while ranking for CRF directly reflects the country ranking position in the 20mSRT. Grey shaded areas indicate countries ranked in the top 10 for either muscular strength, CRF or both. This figure was created based on the data presented in table 4. Four countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Luxembourg and The Netherlands) were not included since they had either missing muscular strength or CRF data. Not all countries have representative data and therefore caution should be paid when interpreting country comparisons presented in this study and in the platform. Data sources are available online (www.fitbackeurope.eu/en-us/fitness-map/sources) and in online supplemental table 1. 20mSRT, 20 m shuttle run test; CRF, cardiorespiratory fitness; HGS, handgrip strength; SLJ, standing long jump.
Main findings in the context of previous literature
This article provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive reference values for the health-related fitness of European children and adolescents aged 6–18 years. We also provided country-level mean percentiles for each fitness component. Our overall country-level fitness rankings suggest that Northern (Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway) and Central Eastern European countries (Slovenia, Czech Republic and Slovakia) have the fittest children and adolescents, while Southern European countries (Spain, Italy and Greece) and the UK are comparatively less fit. Interestingly, we observed a moderate positive correlation between country-level CRF and muscular strength, indicating that despite being different fitness components, countries having higher CRF levels generally also had higher muscular strength levels. A major contribution of the present study is that it comes together with the FitBack interactive web platform (www.fitbackeurope.eu), which is free, multilingual (English, Spanish, French, German and Italian) and ready to be used by researchers and practitioners in physical education, sport and health, as well as by policy makers across Europe. FitBack can be useful and informative even for other continents temporally until they develop their own normative values and similar web platforms. The FitBack platform provides individual and group-based fitness reports supported by educational materials for implementation of fitness monitoring to support fitness education (ie, to help understand why fitness and fitness testing are important, how to interpret fitness test results, how to set exercise goals, how to improve fitness levels, etc) and improve physical literacy, as well as interactive European fitness maps based on our reference values.
To date, the largest and best available fitness reference values for European children and adolescents were those published by Tomkinson et al in 2018.40 Our study updates such work by adding new data and expanding the age range from 9 years to 17 years to 6–18 years.40 It is challenging to directly compare the previous and current reference values, given between-study differences in included studies, countries, ages and sexes. Nevertheless, as an example, the 50th percentile values for the 20 m shuttle run ranged from 3.4 to 4.1 stages in girls aged 9–17 years and from 4.4 to 7.7 stages in boys aged 9–17 years in Tomkinson's study, with the corresponding FitBack values ranging from 2.9 to 3.8 in girls and from 3.6 to 6.6 in boys. For handgrip, the corresponding values were 13.6–28.4 kg in girls and 15.3–45.0 kg in boys in Tomkinson's study and 14.1–28.6 kg in girls and 15.4–44.6 kg in boys in FitBack. Further, the corresponding values for the standing long jump test were 123.9–156.4 cm in girls and 133.8–205.8 cm in boys Tomkinson's study, and 122.7–156.8 cm in girls and 133.4–207.8 cm in boys in FitBack. Thus, the median fitness levels in the FitBack study are slightly lower than those in Tomkinson's study for the 20 m shuttle run, and nearly identical for handgrip strength and the standing long jump. These between-study differences are likely because the included datasets differ in sample size, collection time frames, country representation and sample representativeness. Tomkinson's reference values for the 20 m shuttle run were based on 445 092 data points from 24 countries (see table 9 of Tomkinson et al study40), whereas the FitBack reference values were based on 1 026 077 data points from 30 European countries. The corresponding sample sizes for handgrip strength and standing long jump are n=203 295 vs 787 966 and n=464 900 vs 1 345 159 for Tomkinson et al's study versus FitBack, respectively.
Usefulness and practical implications of fitness testing and monitoring
Our reference values, when integrated into the interactive FitBack web platform, have practical utility and implications. First, fitness testing and monitoring is extremely important from a public health and clinical point of view, as recently acknowledged by the American Heart Association13 and others.52 Measuring cardiometabolic risk factors from blood samples is invasive and ethically questionable for youth at the population level. Likewise, mental and cognitive health assessments are often complex, sensitive and time consuming. Since physical fitness has repeatedly and consistently been shown to be a powerful marker of physical, mental and cognitive health in youth, fitness testing and monitoring will provide valuable insights into the health status of youth at individual and group levels. However, clinicians may not have the time, resources, facilities or expertise to conduct fitness testing (eg, the 20 m shuttle run test) in clinical settings. Therefore, we believe that the most feasible alternative and future goal is that population-level fitness testing be conducted in schools, with test results and interpretation incorporated into the healthcare system databases and forming part of an individual's medical records that can be viewed by paediatricians and school doctors/nurses. This might be even more relevant in low-to- middle-income countries. Such practice has been implemented at the regional level in Galicia, Spain,53 and at the national level in Slovenia40 and Finland.54 In addition, our article and the interactive FitBack website provide a valuable and cost-effective solution for establishing fitness monitoring at the school, community, regional and national levels. For instance, policy makers at education, sport and health institutions can obtain valuable information about regional differences or temporal trends by monitoring fitness levels over time and use these reference values and the FitBack tool for proper sex-specific and age-specific interpretation. Indeed, the use of fitness surveillance to inform decision making is one of the top-ranked priorities in paediatric fitness according to international experts.55 As a timely example, fitness monitoring can flag a sudden decline in fitness, and therefore health, due to unique/unexpected situations, such as COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdowns and the substantial, rapid declines in youth fitness levels reported in countries with fitness surveillance systems.56 57 Thus, interventions for specific target groups can be implemented to prevent worse deterioration of fitness levels.
Second, fitness monitoring is part of physical education curricula in many European countries, but most European teachers do not currently have access to an easy-to-use and automatic tool for interpreting sex-specific and age-specific fitness test results. With our article and the FitBack platform, we aimed to contribute to an extensive implementation of fitness monitoring across European schools. In this context, the FitBack platform also provides information to avoid undesirable practices, such as grading students based on their fitness levels and fitness competitions among students, by using fitness testing as an educational tool to facilitate learning and understanding about fitness and its importance to health and sport and setting individual goals for improvement. Such an approach to fitness testing should help improve physical literacy among European youth. Physical literacy can be defined as 'the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value, and take responsibility for, maintaining purposeful physical pursuits/activities throughout the life course".58 Despite some debate how fitness and its monitoring correspond to the physical literacy paradigm,59 the FitBack consortium supports the interpretation that fitness and motor skills collectively represent physical competence, which is a key component of physical literacy. In line with this, some physical literacy assessment tools (eg, Canadian Assessment for Physical Literacy and Passport For Life) assess motor skills and physical fitness for physical competence.59 In this context, fitness testing should be much more than just 'one more school assessment'. Schools are in a unique position to positively affect the lifelong physical activity and physical fitness levels of their students by instilling values and developing skills that will help children throughout their lives. Moreover, the FitBack network has recently been granted by Erasmus+Sport programme with a new project called 'FitBack4Literacy', which aims to design and test a physical literacy toolkit including the FitBack reporting system. In the next 3 years (2023–2025), this toolkit will be developed and provided in 15 European languages and made freely available on the FitBack platform. Thus, the FitBack platform will have greater potential to be transformed in pedagogical practice by physical education teachers as well as generalist teachers who also conduct physical education classes in the early schooling years. Thus, enhancing physical fitness through goal setting and an appropriate physical activity programme and tracking individual changes through fitness monitoring may improve students' physical literacy journey. Those with better fitness education may be more attuned to their body and what is required for good function, and may be able to foster lifelong physical activity habits.
Third, our reference values can be used for sport/athletic profiling and monitoring, as well as talent identification and development.43 60 Youth who have fitness levels above the 90th percentiles may be considered talented in certain fitness components, and sports participation could be promoted to them and their family. Likewise, changes in fitness levels in response to a lifestyle intervention could be tracked against our sex-specific and age-specific percentile bands to identify expected, better than expected or worse than expected developmental changes.
Limitation and strengths
While the FitBack network gathered roughly 8 million test results for the development of new health-related reference values, the included data are not representative of all European youth. Some countries such as Slovenia, Hungary and Portugal (www.fitbackeurope.eu/en-us/monitoring-fitness/best-practice) have established fitness monitoring systems that cover all school ages and all country regions. Other countries such as Greece61 and Poland62 have conducted nationally representative fitness testing at particular points in time, while most European countries do not have nationally representative fitness data available. This implies that our country-level comparisons should be taken cautiously, given that not all data are representative of their source populations. Our ambition was to identify the best available and most recent data (using the ALPHA fitness tests) for each country to update existing CRF and muscular strength reference values, and to strengthen the evidence supporting the FitBack platform. Unfortunately, included fitness data were collected at different times, and temporal trends in fitness may have biased our results. To minimise the potential for bias, old data collected in the 1980s were excluded from our analyses (see online supplemental table 1). Only harmonised cross-country testing at the same time will provide the most accurate comparisons. While not nationally representative, the HELENA study collected harmonised fitness data in 2005–2008 across 10 European cities, and the results suggested that adolescents living in Southern Europe (Spain, Italy and Greece) had lower levels of CRF and muscular strength, as well as more total and central adiposities, than their peers living in Central Northern Europe.63 These findings are consistent with the FitBack results hereby presented and are in line with previous reports.64 65 Another limitation of our study is the protocol variation across studies. In order to improve this moving forward, we recommend researchers use the ALPHA fitness test battery manuals of operations and explanatory videos that are freely available (http://profith.ugr.es/alpha-children available in English and Spanish), and which have been incorporated into the FitBack platform (www.fitbackeurope.eu/en-us/make-report/about-testing). Finally, while we obtained data from 77% (34/44) of European countries (https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/countries-in-europe/), additional data are required from the remaining countries to paint a complete European fitness picture. On the other hand, there are some important strengths/contributions from our study and the FitBack network, including (1) the development of the largest and most up-to-date fitness reference values for school-age Europeans; (2) increased awareness of the importance of fitness surveillance and monitoring; (3) the identification of countries that have access to large fitness databases and those which do not, and (4) to facilitate fitness testing and interpretation through the FitBack platform, which we hope will improve the amount, quality and availability of future fitness data. All these points can add to ongoing international initiatives such as country report cards to support the Active Healthy Kids Global Matrix (https://www.activehealthykids.org/global-matrix/), which now includes physical fitness as a core indicator.
There is overwhelming evidence supporting the importance of fitness testing from a health, educational and sport point of view. Further, the EU-funded ALPHA project identified the most reliable and valid fitness tests, providing the methods (manuals of operations and videos) needed to evaluate youth health-related fitness levels in a standardised manner across Europe. Now, the FitBack project provides the scientific and practitioner communities with the steps needed for the implementation of youth-based fitness assessment and interpretation in school or sporting settings across Europe. Our sex-specific and age-specific reference values have practical implications and are the foundation of the FitBack platform for interactive individual and group-based interpretation of fitness levels. These reference values should be revisited in the future as more countries introduce national surveillance systems to reflect the updated fitness levels of European youth. The FitBack network, therefore, welcomes new members and is searching for missing and new fitness data.
This study involves human participants. The entire Fitback procedures for pooling together existing fitness data were evaluated and approved by the ethics committee in sports science at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (the University coordinator the FitBack project). The participants gave informed consent to participate in the study before taking part.
The authors acknowledge the support of all FitBack network members who provided data on physical fitness of children and adolescents (see www.fitbackeurope.eu/en-us/fitness-map/sources and online supplemental table 1), including also large European Union-funded consortium projects such as HELENA and IDEFICS. We thank D Mayorga-Vega for his assistance on obtaining the fitness data from Poland.
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Twitter @ortegaporcel, @gil_cosano, @ruizruizjonatan, @BrendanOK_, @GRHSANDERCOCK, @clavelivan, @Idoialabgo1, @SportEdu1
Contributors Designed research, contributed to the conception and interpretation of the analyses: FBO, BL, RB, JJG-C, JM, GRT, JRR, EM, GS, IM, TT, MS, CS, AC, MK, TC, LBS and GJ. Statistical analysis: BL and RB. Drafted the manuscript. FBO. Participated/responsible for fitness data collection: FBO, JM, JRR, EM, GS, IM, MS, MK, TC, LBS, ML, AE, BM, LSS, MP, NL, KK, KDT, LS, CD, LR, SG, JC-P, JV, BOK, OLV, TG, GS, MM-D, CN, E-MR, SP, SKuu, MJMC, IC, IL, JD, DC, SK, SS, MJN, KB, MS-L, TAL, GT, DN, WA and NW. All authors critically revised the manuscript and approved the final version of the manuscript to be submitted. FBO and GJ are the guarantors of this article, and therefore accept full responsibility for the work and/or the conduct of the study, had access to the data and controlled the decision to publish.
Funding This research was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Sport Programme of the European Union within the project FitBack No 613010-EPP-1-2019-1-SI-SPO-SCP and Slovenian Research Agency within the Research programme Bio-psycho-social context of kinesiology (number P5-0142). FBO, JJG-C, JRR and IL are supported by the University of Granada, Plan Propio de Investigación, Visiting Scholar grants and Excellence actions: Units of Excellence; Unit of Excellence on Exercise, Nutrition and Health and by the Junta de Andalucía, Consejería de Conocimiento, Investigación y Universidades and European Regional Development Fund (SOMM17/6107/UGR) and CIBERobn Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition.
Map disclaimer The inclusion of any map (including the depiction of any boundaries therein) or of any geographical or locational reference does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of BMJ concerning the legal status of any country, territory, jurisdiction or area or of its authorities. Any such expression remains solely that of the relevant source and is not endorsed by BMJ. Maps are provided without any warranty of any kind, either express or implied.
Patient and public involvement Patients and/or the public were not involved in the design, conduct, reporting or dissemination plans of this research.


The first step to success in college is being in courses where you can thrive. To help us place you in the right courses, Hartwick requires new students to complete placement exams.
As a new student, you'll complete the Writing Placement during Welcome Weekend Orientation.
Writing placement results determine your starting writing sequence course level and may result in an adjustment to your Fall Term course schedule. Note that writing placement scores range from 1 to 4; all students must achieve a level 4 before graduation as a component of the LAiP general education curriculum requirements by completing a sequencing of courses based on their initial writing level score. For more information, visit the Writing Competency Requirement webpage.
All students must complete the online Math Placement. Results of the placement are used to establish your math level; it does not mean that you must enroll in a math course. Math placement results, which range from 1-5, determine the level of math-related course-work for which you are able to enroll, ensuring your level of preparedness for success in the course. Several courses throughout the academic departments have such math level requirements.
Log in to the Hartwick College D2L platform – you will need your Hartwick network username and password. If you have trouble logging in, contact the Technology Resource Center at 607-431-4357, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Once logged in, click My Courses, and then Math Placement Exam 2019. Next, click on Quizzes on the top navbar. Under Current Quizzes, you will see Math Placement 2019 Exam – click on it and follow instructions. When you complete the exam, click Go to Submit Quiz.
If you do not finish the exam within the time limit, be sure to submit what you have completed. Good luck!
College offers great opportunities for enhancing foreign language skills. All students prior to enrolling at Hartwick should complete the online placement in the language they wish to study to assist us in planning your courses. Also, be sure to indicate on your Academic Course Planner if you would like to continue studying the language you have had experience in or whether you prefer to branch out to start a new language.
New students who are enrolled in Chemistry 107 their first semester will complete the Chemistry Placement exam during Welcome Weekend Orientation. This placement test does not affect your ability to take Chem 107; however, those who earn a high score are invited to take Chemistry 109, an accelerated course.
Students with documented disabilities who require testing adjustments during placement exams should contact AccessAbility Services.


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International Women's Day: HFFG praises women leading the Coronavirus response
Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), has asked Ghanaians to use this year's International Women's Day (IWD) to highlight and celebrate the contributions of women in the national COVID-19 response.
International Women's Day is globally marked on March 8th every year to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day is also used as a call to action to accelerate gender parity across all levels. The theme for International Women's Day 2021 is "Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world".
In line with this theme, HFFG in a press statement is advocating that the day should be used to applaud the efforts of many women, both young and old, who have dedicated themselves as frontline health workers and care-givers in the fight against COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the already existing gender inequalities with substantial implications for women.
"Several briefing notes by the United Nations have bemoaned the socio-economic and health impact of COVID-19 on women. However, the pandemic has also shown the resilience and strength of the Ghanaian woman, be it providing care at various health facilities, participating in risk communication in communities, participating in high level decision-making on resources for health and keeping homes together as wives and mothers," the statement said.
"The theme is perfect looking at the critical role women are playing in our communities. Women make up a majority of front-line workers. In our health facilities, they are administering vaccines and medications. So if there is any better time for women to be appreciated, it is surely now," the Executive Director of HFFG, Mrs Cecilia Senoo, stressed.
HFFG has also called on state institutions, civil society, traditional leaders and faith-based organizations to continue to push for the active involvement of women in national development and an end to all forms of violence against women and girls.
"Pandemics such as COVID-19 compound prevailing gender inequalities and vulnerabilities, increasing risks of abuse. We equally join the United Nations and other international and national stakeholders to call for safety and dignity for women in all spheres of life."
The statement also urged the government of Ghana to put women and girls at the heart of the national COVID-19 recovery efforts since women are harder hit by the impact of COVID-19.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Right about four weeks ago, my wife informed me that Travis Wilson had passed away. The ever thoughtful and considerate Dr. Hammons had figured a way to soft-land the news this tragic loss. Travis was my boss for a good part of my tenure at the job I held for the longest so far in my work life.
When I began my IT career in the mid 90s, I was as green as they come. My first boss was a soft-spoken, mild-mannered, kind-hearted, moustached gentleman named Howard Hoover. Howard was simply a genius. He seemed to know everything and was in my view a benevolent IT god! I was able to learn very much from Howard because he allowed himself to be approachable and accessible and instructed in a manner that was not in any way condescending as some would've been under the same circumstances. He encouraged me incessantly and let me know I wouldn't always get it right, but to make sure I don't repeat mistakes. When I asked him how he came to know everything, the very humble Howard smiled and told me the smartest people were oftentimes just simply the ones who knew where to look. He was just an overall great guy. So you can imagine my grief when one day, Howard suddenly had to leave to take advantage of an irresistible opportunity. I was like the bereaved. I had just lost a father fi gure. I cherished the short time I had under his tutelage while at the same time resigned to the fact that i'd never again be privileged to meet one like Howard. And then I met Mr. Travis Wilson!
First of all, compared to Travis, most IT people, even the seasoned ones, are green. Dark green! Travis was everything Howard, plus, like they say, a bag of chips! If the man had an ego, then he clearly performed an Oscar-worthy act to keep it at bay! There's not a single prideful bone in that man. Travis was a genius, not only because of his God-given abilities, but also because he worked really hard at his craft! He always diligently invested the time and effort to investigate and understand new and upcoming technologies in such a way as to be able to disseminate it to us, mere IT mortals, like a bird feeds its young. Travis was a man of and for the people and availed himself to any and everybody, such that oftentimes there was a queue of knowledge seekers right outside his office. I kid you not! Dr. Hammons repeatedly admonished and counselled him on the need to "just say no" every now and again – all to no avail.
Travis was kind and loyal to a fault. He made a conscious effort to deflect the glory and own the snafus. He didn't see any low-performing employee that wasn't redeemable. He was always very protective of his people. The gentle giant didn't take kindly to his people being harassed or bullied. He was a consistent shield from external assaults! And I don't even want to make any mention of his punctuality. Ok, you asked for it! Travis was on seat 4am every working day and worked 12-hour days, where 8 hours would've sufficed. And he didn't do that just for the heck of it. No. He was way too deliberate for that. He showed up in the wee hours so he could delve into the lingering problems from yesterday and set the groundwork for today. And also for the equally important purpose of providing us all with the very latest and best weather and traffic advisories – better than the local channels combined!
So you see, Travis was indeed a father figure to many!
And an avid family man – a doting father to his lovely son Austin and a loving husband to his beautiful wife Sheila.
A casual reader might be tempted to wonder, "can this Travis guy be for real"? Or "could this just be a kind eulogization to the departed"? But I make bold to say this; there are perhaps many things you can manufacture about a man. Character and integrity aren't two of them! Donald Trump will pass one day and nobody will say of him that "there goes a modest and humble man"! Nor would they say of Ted Cruz "oh what a malleable and friendly lad he was".
Travis is too good to be true and yet is true. A fairy tale, except it's for real!
You marvelous former colleagues who have had the pleasure of sharing oxygen with Travis, I commiserate with ou, especially you, Mr. B.C, a true brother to Travis. And same to you, my boss of bosses, Dr. Hammons. You have lost a gem. The industry has lost a gem. The world has lost a gem. And that is why he must live on. We all must arise and scream from our laptops and shout from the rooftops, at the top of our lungs and tell the story of Travis, for ourselves and for posterity. So that we can bear testimony to our descendants, to take heed and be in remembrance, that the world needs Hoovers, that the world needs Travises. And there's no reason it can't be them!
Travis Wilson died on March 15, 2016, due to complications resulting from a stroke he suffered a few months earlier. He was just 45.


We have launched a new website and with that, a new e-Newsletter. This newsletter will include our usual updates on events and news at Silverton, with the option of clicking for more details.
We are always happy for feedback and it is a work in progress, so please bear with us as we make adjustments.
Here are a range of YouTube Clips from events and around Silverton.


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 Swatara Township, un township du comté de Dauphin, en Pennsylvanie.
 Lower Swatara Township, un township du comté du Dauphin, en Pennsylvanie.
 , un township du comté de Lebanon en Pennsylvanie.

Cours d'eau
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Navire
 , un sloop à hélice en bois, lancé en 1865, démantelé en 1872.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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>> skip contents | x-forums | about us | back issues | this month
>> search (coming soon)
Miyazaki's greatest story was told quite some time ago. Fans of the imaginative creator who have only recently discovered his talent may be surprised to hear that there is a work that surpasses even the wondrous Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, but it exists, and its name is Nausicaä.
by Patrick King
pg.2
Monster: Dying for life
The animated version of Naoki Urasawa's manga tells a story of corruption, violence, and the evil that we are all capable of. How can a man live with himself when every time he saves a life, someone else has to die?
by Maria Lin
Kyou Kara Maou: Shounen-ai on high
This campy little anime pokes fun at the entire boy's love genre, while still managing to add a neat little plot and some romance to the pot. For fans of cute shounen-ai titles, this might just be the next big thing.
Star Wars: Force of the Samurai?
George Lucas' universe of Star Wars is popular just about everywhere, with Japan as no exception -- Ridwan analyzes the fascinating parallels between Jedi lore and traditional Japanese samurai custom.
by Ridwan Khan
Street Fighter II: Back in U.S. comic form
Before Tekken, Virtua Fighter, Soul Caliber and Mortal Kombat, there was Street Fighter II -- not the first fighting game ever, but arguably the most influential. Now a decade and a half later, we're getting a new comic book series based on the franchise, and it's time to rejoice.
no. 2004/06
Currently Viewing: pg.1
Life on the Fringe: Big Game Hunting
Patrick's a big fan of video games, but he hates the way some of the best titles of yesteryear disappear, only to be procured from some obscure vendor for an obscene price. Within, discover Pat's solution to this aggravating problem, and become a gamer with a mission!
Galaxy Express 999: The Soul Train
Tickets, please... Though decades old, Leiji Matsumoto's Galaxy Express 999 endures as one of the classic milestones in anime and manga, and, as Aaron explains, one of the most thought-proviking as well.
by Aaron Bynum
Oddtype: Late Night with Wufei
Tonight's guest: Edward from Full Metal Alchemist! (note: Nielsen ratings results and subsequent replacement with a late night Flowbie infomercial pending)
by Basil Berchekas III
Saikano Vol. 1
Mouse Vol. 1
A Little Snow Fairy Sugar Vol. 6
A Story of Floating Weeds
The Samurai Trilogy
Negima Vol. 1
Marionette Generation Vol. 5
Lament of the Lamb Vol. 1
Top Speed Vol. 1
Comic Party Vol. 1
La Pucelle: Tactics
Manga Shorts
by Ridwan Khan, Patrick King and Maria Lin
pg.21
Mail Desk
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ISSN 1705-3692. Copyright © 1999-2004 Animefringe. XHTML / CSS. <<
privacy policy / legal | contact us <<


I met Mark and Julia this past August at our church in Nashville. They met while in college at Murray State, and had just moved to Nashville over the summer. After a few months of becoming good friends, I had the great honor and pleasure of photographing their wintery proposal in the woods in early January. We waited for the endless Nashville winter to subside and took to Percy Warner Parks in May for this engagement session. There were lots of laughs, lots of running through the fields, and the most beautiful summer sunset. Mark and Julia, you two are gems, and I can't wait for your special day!!


Match Borussia Dortmund II vs SC Wiedenbruck results and Live score on footlive.com. Borussia Dortmund II - SC Wiedenbruck match for Germany: Regionalliga West starts on 16/02/2019 at 13:00 UTC/GMT. With footlive.com you can follow Borussia Dortmund II results and SC Wiedenbruck results. Live results, Goal Scorers , Half Time result, Full-Time result, 2nd Half result, h2h, head to head, line ups, goals, red cards, yellow cards, statistics, betting, follow the game with foot live.


Vinyl Flooring is a popular selection for homeowners because it's durable, low-maintenance and stylish. You can find vinyl in tiles or sheets and in a variety of colors and styles. Vinyl can be designed with patterns to mimic any material such as stone or wood, so the possibilities are endless. Especially great for moisture-prone areas like the kitchen and bathroom, vinyl is water and stain resistant and manages to stay comfortable while holding up to heavy traffic.
You might be wondering - at what point should I hire a carpenter?
Let's be honest: There's only so much you can do yourself. Sometimes you need to call the pros!
In short, carpenters work with any remodeling or construction project involving wood. Our carpenter's skills range from building furniture and cabinets to large homes from the frame to the roof. Carpenters are at the center of what we do in the remodeling business.
Not only do carpenters use muscle and heavy equipment, they are highly educated in mathematic s. A carpenter uses many formulas on every project to assure correct measurements of lengths and angles. So if you've been putting off hiring one, remember it's about more than the physical aspect of the project. You might have the tools in your garage, but how well do you recall the Pythagorean Theorem? Getting the project done right the first time will save you a lot of hassle down the road, not to mention save you money. We stand by our work and offer guarantees and warrantees that you simply don't get when you do-it-yourself.
We have been in the construction and remodeling industry for over 35 years. When you work with carpenters here at Sanders Remodel, their experience will show when planning out your project with attention to detail and skilled design drawings. Our knowledgeable team can give you tips and product recommendations, plus provide suggestions to better your design or help your budget. Our carpenters confidently provide estimates for the cost of projects and stay up to date with national and local building codes to ensure no delays or detours in your remodel. We promise to deliver clear communication during planning and throughout the project.
We believe no job is too small - An expert carpenter is only a call away!
When you want to add space to your house - and we're talking square footage, not just storage - there's one clear option: building an Addition.
When it comes to building them, you can go upward or outward. There are pros and cons to both strategies. If you're building out, you run the risk of losing yard space. On the other hand, when building up it can be more of a challenge to make them blend seamlessly with the rest of the house. Never underestimate the value of curb appeal!
During our initial consultation, we will give you recommendations with property value in mind, but we also suggest consulting your real estate agent. We'll talk about the scale of the project, estimated timeframe, and potential issues. You'll be seeing a lot of us during the project, but on the bright side that means you don't have to vacate your home while we work. We promise to always be friendly and mindful of cleaning our workspace.
You might be wondering, 'Why are they so costly?' or 'Why do they take so long?' Remember that most new structures will need to be functional to be utilized, meaning they need all the makings of your current house such as insulation, electrical, plumbing, foundation and roof. Also, permits are required more often than not.
Give us a call today - we are here to answer any questions you may have about building an Addition.
If it sounds intimidating, that's perfectly normal. They are no small feat. They require multiple phases of planning and countless details. Master suites, bathrooms, and sunrooms: These are not the kind of projects that are easily undone. An Addition is one of the most costly home remodeling projects. You want to work with the experienced carpenters here at Sanders Remodel. Trust us!
If you're thinking about Window Replacement for your home, you've come to the right place. Whether this is a need or a want, you probably have a lot of questions. We have the knowledge and experience to show you everything there is to know about windows.
If you are dealing with any of the above scenarios, Window Replacement is definitely a need. Not only are you likely paying too much for utilities, there is potential damage to your home from windows leaking which causes mold and mildew. The cost might seem daunting at first, but remember that better windows mean you'll be saving on energy. For example, Energy Star claims that you can save up to $500 a year on heating and cooling by adding Energy Star-rated windows. You may also qualify for tax and utility credits. This is the best kind of upgrade, one that pays for itself! New windows are a true investment.
An added benefit to modern windows that we like to consider here in Washington is the noise reduction quality. Being in close proximity to SeaTac international airport as well as McChord Air force Base, we constantly deal with loud exterior noise. Installations typically take one day (after being thoroughly measured and planned) and are done from the outside of the home. Every home is unique, so give us a call today and we'll get started!
You'll be pleasantly surprised by the peace and quiet in your home after your Window Replacement.
Our Remodeling Contractors have spent years in the construction business, gaining knowledge and experience is their trades. We have team members with specialties in carpentry, plumbing, framing, masonry and more. Any project, big or small, we will get it done professionally and timely! Working with Sanders Remodel gets you access to a whole team of workers dedicated to crossing everything off your to-do list.
Our team here at Sanders Remodel is comprised of excellently trained contractors who can handle projects big or small, from drywall and electrical to painting and optimizing garages. Every member of our crew has his or her own specialty in home maintenance and is licensed and insured for safety. Each individual is at the top of their craft and contributes to our reputation for high quality, safety and professionalism.
If you're new to hiring Handyman Services, we try to keep the process straight-forward. You can schedule one visit to handle a specific task, or we can provide a free consultation and develop a plan with you that could occur over multiple visits. You can expect to pay a reasonable hourly rate plus material cost.
We promise to complete work in a clean and timely manner, provide honest recommendations for your projects, and prioritize between major and minor fixes. All it takes is one call. We will listen to your wants and needs, and attempt to see your vision. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have. No job is too small - even if it's a project you've started but not been able to finish. Contact us today to let our professional Handyman Services conquer your to-do list.
Even if you have the tools and skills, sometimes there's just not enough time in the day to tackle all of the projects that come with being a homeowner. That's why we're here! Sanders Remodel has the Handyman Services you need at an affordable price. With over 35 years in the industry, we provide quality work that you can count on. Check our BBB standing, reviews online, and talk to our customers. They'll tell you they keep coming back because of our commitment to friendly customer service and detailed workmanship.
Sanders Remodel is proud to carry the full line of Trex Decking: The world's #1 decking brand.
We'll let you in on a little secret: the dream can quickly become a nightmare if you don't invest in quality materials and a professional installation. What if you build a gorgeous deck, but it's not treated properly, and the next year you find termite damage? What if you paint your deck, but find that next summer your pets or the weather have faded or peeled the color?
Trust us, a deck is an investment in your home and you want to do it right the first time. For those who are looking for the industry leader, you want Trex Decking!
Trex is termite resistant and will not warp, rot or split. Also the material is fade and stain resistant, making it the longest lasting deck on the market. Trex decks are mold and mildew resistant, only requiring soap and water to be cleaned. How is this possible? These decks look like regular wood but are actually a unique composite. Trex Decking is comprised of 95% recycled wood, sawdust and plastic film. This earth-friendly formula creates a bold statement with a small carbon footprint you can be proud of.
The line comes in a variety of styles, colors, and protection levels to fit any budget. Our TrexPro Installer is ready and waiting to build the deck of your dreams.
Water damage, second only to natural disasters, is one the most dreaded scenarios a homeowner can go through. If that's your situation, Sanders Remodel is here for you. We know it can be upsetting, but it's important to stay calm and act fast! Give us a call and we will respond immediately to assess your home for the water damage restoration process.
The process begins with a detailed inspection of your property with water sensing equipment such as probes and other infrared tools in order to determine the source of the damage, and provide a damage assessment. The water must be stopped before the drying process can begin. We must first identify and stop the water source, and then we develop a plan of action to restore the damage.
Water damage restoration services are performed to dry, sanitize, and deodorize the affected areas and materials.
Equipment including but not limited to, air movers, air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, wood floor drying systems, and sub floor drying equipment is left to do the bulk of the work unsupervised. After 3-5 days, we examine your home to ensure the drying process is working and troubleshoot any issues that might come up.
We will bring safety matters to your attention throughout the Water Damage restoration procedure. If there are any safety concerns in your home such as asbestos or lead, please share those with us ahead of time.
Remember, you've got less than 48 hours to take action against damage from water. Wait any longer and damage could be permanent. We will take care of you!


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Why the 'Hard Sell' Should Die a Slow Death
There's a reason why the hard sell is hard. But it doesn't have to be that way.
By Molly St. LouisCreative executive@MollStLouis
I grew up in the late 80s--when door-to-door salesmen ran rampant through the streets of my neighborhood with their Tupperware tubs of housecleaning supplies, hawking "magic" products to housewives. No one was safe. Least of all my mother--who was an ultra-polite midwestern woman. I remember one particular salesman who came to the door, trying to convince mom she needed a feather duster.
Mom hated feather dusters--they never worked well for her. She found a rag and some lemon Pledge were very effective, but she listened politely as not to offend the salesman. After his speil, she tactfully declined to buy. "You're crazy!" he said. "I'm giving you a great price!" And then he launched into a diatribe about how feather dusters the most effective way to clean your bookshelf--he acted it out and everything.
The salesman didn't seem to read the fact that my mom was subconsciously slowly closing the door to signal she had made her decision not to buy. Even at five, I knew this was a horrible pitch, but my mom was a supportive lady and didn't want him to feel bad. His fast talk became faster and sweatier, he threw in a shammy, and an hour later--mom had not one, but TWO feather dusters.
Congratulations man, you made a sale! But what happened AFTER that?
Those feather dusters laid around the house. Well, except for the time my brother and I pretended to be ostriches and stuck them into the back of our pants while we raced through the backyard. But did they ever clean the house? No. In fact, mom cringed when she saw them and vented to her friends about how she got sucked into buying the stupid things (if we had social media back then, Ma would be tweeting up a storm!). And whenever she'd see that salesman making his neighborhood rounds with his new products, she'd frantically call us inside the house. "Kids! Quiet down, turn off the lights, and close the curtains! It's that man again!"
Times have certainly changed. You don't see many door-to-door salesmen nowadays, but the hard sell is still very much alive in both B2B and B2C situations. Unfortunately, it's generally not the most effective way to sell and can also be a very narrow approach.
You can't blame the salesman in my mom's story--he was trying to do a good job and make a living. Just like modern salespeople all over the country. You also have to commend him for his drive, passion, and conviction: getting the door slammed in your face is not fun, whether you're selling feather dusters, insurance, technology, sponsorships, or business partnerships.
There's a reason why the hard sell is HARD. And it's usually because the entity being sold is not the best fit for the buyer. Making sure the entity being sold is a natural fit for the buyer is pure gold. Here's are some ways to make those opportunities happen:
Get to Know Your Audience
You've heard this a million times: Know your audience. And at the point of sale, it's not enough to infer "my target demographic is housewives between the ages of 25-35 and well, you fit that demographic, so you need my product, dammit!"
If you're selling direct to an person (whether it be a B2B or B2C transaction), treat them like an individual. Genuinely get to know them--it not only helps make the initial sale, but also increases the chances of a repeat customer.
If you are a larger business with a marketing budget, you can give yourself an advantage by investing in a predictive marketing tool to score your leads by how likely they are to buy (based on in-depth information about the way their business runs). This arms your sales team with knowledge, so that they can make a good case with potential customers.
If you are a startup and can't afford something like this, do as much research as possible before you make a call, so you can be as prepared as possible. Once you do make contact, ask questions and really try to figure out if you have the solution to your potential customer's problem. If you don't really have what the customer needs, then don't try to fit a square peg in a round hole or you'll spend a lot of time spinning your wheels with a dead-end lead. Your time is more efficiently spent talking to a stronger potential customer.
Look at the Big Picture
Don't focus on the one sale you're trying to make--focus on creating a repeat customer.
In the instance of my mom and the salesman, she told him upfront that she didn't like feather dusters. He disregarded her thoughts because it didn't fit his agenda and immediately launched into why she was wrong. This ultimately created a bad feeling around the transaction.
He would have gotten further with her if he had respected her opinion and asked her if there were other cleaning problems she had trouble solving. By opening a dialogue and showing a genuine care in solving her problems, he would have begun to develop a nice relationship. Who knows? He might have even sold her on the feather duster that day, but with a much more warm-fuzzy feeling. Or more likely, he might not have made a sale that day, but by showing that kind of care--he would have opened the door to make many more sales for things she did want when he got his next shipment. Instead, he made one sale and burned a bridge.
Also, think of this in terms of selling a business partnership. Creating a great case for a merger and having to work hard to get the other side to see your point is not a hard sell if there are striking reasons why it should work. There's a difference between being passionate and strong-arming someone. If you try to force a partnership that is not equally beneficial and happen to succeed, you're starting off that business relationship with a bad feeling. This could eventually lead to disaster.
Build a Pipeline
It's easy to get desperate as a salesperson when things aren't going your way--especially if your compensation depends on it. But potential customers can spot desperation from a mile away and it almost never goes well.
It's hard to walk away from a nice customer if a sale is not the best fit. But it's worth the wait. It's not a defeat--if you asked the right questions, you gathered clues to get yourself to more future sales. Keep those notes, follow up, and personalize your discussions. It's true that building a pipeline of potential customers can take time and patience, but certainly pays off when those sales eventually hit.
The hard sell may have been effective at one time, but these days, folks know that they have a plethora of choices. Generally, they want to work with people that they like--whether it's a salesperson or a potential business partner. I even wager to say they want to enjoy the sales process. Who doesn't love to brag to their friends that they got this amazing deal or talk about how excited they are about a new business venture with their awesome new partner? You WANT people to talk about you in a good way--particularly in the age of social media.
Business is always changing. Sell accordingly!
Published on: Feb 19, 2015