Background: No review to date has evaluated the association between physical fitness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in healthy children and adolescents. The aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to examine the relationship between both cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscular fitness (MF) and HRQoL in healthy subjects under 18 years of age and to describe the dimensions of HRQoL in which these relationships are more robust. Methods: The Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, SCIELO, SPORTDiscus and PEDro databases were systematically searched to collect observational studies that examined the relationship between CRF and HRQoL and between MF and HRQoL in participants under 18 years of age without any diagnosed medical condition. Pooled effect sizes (ES) were estimated for the associations between both CRF and MF and the various HRQoL dimensions. Results: The pooled ES (95% CI) estimates for the relationship between CRF and HRQoL were as follows: 0.19 (0.10 to 0.27) for physical well-being, 0.19 (0.07 to 0.32) for psychological well-being, 0.20 (− 0.14 to 0.55) for perceived health status, 0.10 (0.00 to 0.20) for self-perception/self-esteem, 0.07 (− 0.05 to 0.19) for quality of family relationship, 0.14 (0.04 to 0.25) for quality of peer relationship, 0.17 (0.04 to 0.29) for everyday functioning at school and 0.20 (0.12 to 0.28) for total HRQoL score. The pooled ES (95% CI) estimates for the relationship between MF and HRQoL were: 0.25 (0.12 to 0.37) for physical well-being, 0.11 (0.04 to 0.17) for psychological well-being, 0.08 (0.01 to 0.15) for quality of family relationship, 0.14 (0.03 to 0.25) for quality of peer relationship, and 0.09 (0.03 to 0.14) for total HRQoL score. Conclusions: Our data suggest that both CRF and MF are positively associated with HRQoL, mainly in physical, psychological and peer relationships. Moreover, CRF is positively associated with school dimensions and MF is positively associated with family relationships. Trail registration Protocol PROSPERO registration number: CRD42015025823.

Health related quality of life (HRQoL) is a subjective, multidimensional and changing over time construct. When HRQoL is decreased, a child is less likely to be able to develop normally and mature into a healthy adult. Physical inactivity is a priority public health problem. Evidence suggests how even moderate levels of physical activity or high fitness levels are associated with benefits for the health in children and adolescents. The aims of this systematic review are to examine the evidence about the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and fitness with HRQoL, and estimate the effects of interventions that have tested the effectiveness of the increase of the physical activity, the improvement of the physical fitness or the avoidance of sedentary behaviors in HRQoL in healthy subjects aged under 18 years old. This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol was conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) statement. To identify relevant studies, the following electronic databases will be searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database, Web of Science, and PEDro. Reference lists of relevant studies will be examined for links to potential related articles. The methodological quality of the observational included studies will be scored using a quality assessment checklist. For the intervention studies, the risk of bias will be estimated using The Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing risk of bias. Reviewers will determine whether a meta-analysis is possible when data have been extracted. If it is, subgroup analyses will be carried out by age and socioeconomic status, and by the different dimensions of the HRQoL. If is not possible, a descriptive analysis will be conducted. To our knowledge, this systematic review and meta-analysis will be the first that synthesizes the existing results about the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior, physical fitness, and HRQoL, and the effect of physical activity interventions on HRQoL, in healthy subjects under 18 years old. This study will clarify this relationship and will provide evidence for decision-making. Limitations may include the quality of the selected studies and their characteristics. Only studies published in English and Spanish will be included. PROSPERO CRD42015025823.

Background: Pelvic floor dysfunction encompasses conditions like urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic pain, significantly affecting women’s quality of life. Despite its prevalence, few studies have adopted a qualitative approach to understanding women’s perceptions and emotions regarding these issues. This study aims to delve into how women with pelvic floor disorders perceive their condition and its impact on their daily lives. Methods: We analyzed qualitative data from interviews with 160 women suffering from pelvic floor dysfunctions. Using inductive qualitative content analysis, we systematically examined the data to identify variations, differences, and similarities. Results: The analysis revealed four primary themes in the women’s narratives: “Physical Impacts”, “Emotional and Psychological Impacts”, “Social and Relational Impacts”, and “Sexual Health Impacts”, along with 12 subthemes. The findings predominantly highlight how pelvic floor dysfunctions detrimentally affect women’s quality of life and emotional well-being, instilling fear and insecurity in daily activities, compounded by sleep disturbances and sexual dysfunction. Conclusions: Women living with pelvic floor dysfunction face multifaceted challenges that adversely affect various aspects of their lives, diminishing their overall quality of life. This includes notable impacts on sleep, physical, and sexual activities. However, not all affected women report these issues, often due to fear of stigma, choosing instead to conceal their struggles in an effort to maintain an appearance of normalcy.

Background: The university period generally involves dropping out of sporting activities and higher levels of stress. However, studies addressing the consequences of these changes in the self‐esteem of university students are very scarce.Aim: To determine the relationship between physical activity (PA), sedentary lifestyle and self‐esteem levels in university students, and to analyse the differences according to gender.Design: Cross‐sectional online survey of 314 spanish university students.Methods: Global self‐esteem was assessed with the Rosenberg self‐esteem scale. PA was measured using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ‐SF). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) model was used to evaluate differences between total self‐esteem values by PA categories (low‐moderate‐high). Pearson's correlation was used to analyse the association of global self‐esteem with the level of total PA and with a sedentary lifestyle.Results: Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and self‐esteem scores were higher in men than in women. High levels of PA were positively correlated to self‐esteem in the total sample; and sedentary behaviour was inversely correlated to self‐esteem in the total sample and women. The differences between men and women in self‐esteem were not significant in participants that engaged in vigorous PA.Conclusions: Engaging in PA was related to better self‐esteem. A sedentary lifestyle had a greater impact on women's self‐esteem. When women engage in vigorous physical activity, their self‐esteem equals that of men. These findings could serve as a basis for developing strategies to promote mental health through physical activity.Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care: Our findings could help Mental Health Nurses, Community Health Nurses and university policymakers take steps to promote physical activity, with a gender perspective, within university curriculum enhancement strategies, with the goal of improving self‐esteem and mental health in young people during a critical period of transition to adulthood.Impact (Addressing): What problem did the study address? This study addressed the relationship between the self‐esteem of university students and their physical activity levels, emphasising the role of sedentary behaviour and gender differences. What were the main findings? The practice of PA was associated with higher self‐esteem. The differences in self‐esteem between men and women were not significant among those who participated in vigorous physical activity. Additionally, a sedentary lifestyle had a greater negative impact on women's self‐esteem. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? The implementation of physical activity programs in the university setting is a key factor in improving students' self‐esteem. These programs should be designed from a gender perspective to better address students' specific needs.Additionally, nurses, particularly those working in mental health and community health, play a critical role in promoting physical activity as a preventive and therapeutic strategy for mental health issues. Integrating physical activity recommendations into routine health assessments and university‐based interventions could facilitate the early identification of students at risk of low self‐esteem and associated mental health challenges.From a nursing perspective, structured exercise programmes, active breaks during classes and active learning methodologies that incorporate physical movement with academic content could contribute to creating a healthier university environment and improving students' psychological well‐being.Reporting Method: This study adhered to the reporting guidelines for observational studies according to the STROBE (Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) statement.Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution.