Are American children and youth fit?

We analyzed data from the National School Population Fitness Survey (Reiff et al., 1986) and data collected by the authors of the original study to assess the fitness of American children and youth based on the results of additional analyses. We then compared the numbers of children and youth meeting norm-referenced standards to numbers meeting recently adopted criterion-referenced health (CRH) standards for individual test items in the FITNESSGRAM (Institute for Aerobics Research, 1987) and AAHPERD Physical Best (AAHPERD, 1988) test batteries. The number of children and youth meeting CRH standards for multiple items in a test battery was also determined. Finally, data were analyzed to determine if changes in fitness have occurred among American children and youth over recent decades. Our results suggest that, with the exception of measures of arm and shoulder girdle strength/endurance, more children and youth meet criterion-referenced health standards than norm-referenced standards (50th percentile) and the majority of American children and youth meet CRH standards for individual test items. However, the majority of American children and youth cannot meet the CRH standards for a battery of items for either of the two batteries studied. A second look at decade to decade comparisons of fitness produced evidence that questions the idea that youth are less fit now than in previous years.     

我国残疾青少年体质健康标准研制的探索

我国残疾学生体质健康标准的长期缺位导致了残疾青少年体质健康评估、体力活动促进和特殊体育与健康教育等问题解决乏力。我国亟待研制适合残疾青少年的体质健康标准,评价和监测其体质健康状况及趋势,促成相关政策和措施的实施,引导社会关注残疾青少年的健康促进。在借鉴欧美国家残疾青少年健康体适能测试标准研制的基础之上,综合我国普通学生体质健康标准的实施现状,认为我国残疾学生体质健康标准的研制在理念上应与普通青少年体质健康标准应有所区别,以"健康"而不是"运动能力与素质"为目标与导向;测试内容和指标的选择应充分考虑其身体的发育和残疾特征,与其未来健康风险紧密关联;评价标准的设置应采取标准参照而不是常模参照的方式,根据健康风险标准与测试指标的关联制定标准。     

我国残疾青少年体质健康标准研制的探索

我国残疾学生体质健康标准的长期缺位导致了残疾青少年体质健康评估、体力活动促进和特殊体育与健康教育等问题解决乏力。我国亟待研制适合残疾青少年的体质健康标准，评价和监测其体质健康状况及趋势，促成相关政策和措施的实施，引导社会关注残疾青少年的健康促进。在借鉴欧美国家残疾青少年健康体适能测试标准研制的基础之上，综合我国普通学生体质健康标准的实施现状，认为我国残疾学生体质健康标准的研制在理念上应与普通青少年体质健康标准应有所区别，以"健康"而不是"运动能力与素质"为目标与导向；测试内容和指标的选择应充分考虑其身体的发育和残疾特征，与其未来健康风险紧密关联；评价标准的设置应采取标准参照而不是常模参照的方式，根据健康风险标准与测试指标的关联制定标准。     

Teachers' Use of Fitness Tests in School-Based Physical Education Programs

This study was designed to investigate the status of teachers' use of fitness tests in school-based physical education programs. Full-time physical education teachers (N = 325) in 10 states participated. A questionnaire was developed specifically for this study to collect data. Various methods were utilized to lend evidence for the reliability and validity of the items on the questionnaire. Means and standard deviations of continuous variables and Likert-type variables were computed. Frequencies of category variables were calculated and percentages of the frequencies were reported. The results were: (a) most of the teachers used fitness tests with the majority using nationally available fitness tests (among those who implemented the nationally available fitness tests, most utilized the norm-referenced test [i.e., President's Challenge, 1998] and not criterion-referenced tests [i.e., the Fitnessgram, or YMCA Youth Fitness Test Program]), (b) teachers in general implemented different approaches to prepare students for fitness testing and most teachers informed students verbally about the tests in advance, (c) helping students gain awards was the least important purpose for teachers to use fitness tests, and (d) fitness testing was not strongly associated with teachers' fitness/physical activity instruction. The data from the study suggested that fitness testing is merely an isolated part of physical education programs.     

美国《脑瘫青少年体质健康标准》的探究与启示

美国《脑瘫青少年体质健康标准》(Health-related Physical Fitness Test of Cerebral Palsy Youngster,以下简称"《CP标准》")的目标是科学评估脑瘫青少年的体质健康水平,进行健康风险预警,为制定个性化体质健康计划和健身指导做准备,其最终目的是激励和引导脑瘫青少年进行科学的身体锻炼,建立积极健康的生活方式,提高生存质量。解析美国《CP标准》对我国脑瘫青少年体质健康标准的研制、脑瘫人群的功能评估、运动干预和康复都具有积极的借鉴价值与启示意义。在内容指标上,《CP标准》尽可能地与健全青少年保持一致,指标选择与健康风险关联,力求满足脑瘫青少年生理性健康和功能健康的需求,体现科学性、有效性;《CP标准》根据不同残疾程度脑瘫青少年健康需求和个性化需要,设置了修正和专项的测试指标,体现针对性、实用性和可选择性;而缺乏平衡能力的内容指标,是《CP标准》的缺憾之处。在标准设置上,身体成分与有氧功能评价功能分区的临界值来自于与相关疾病标准的切点值;骨骼肌功能标准值则来自于专家综合健全学生骨骼肌功能的常模数据和康复医生建议的推荐值。     

Index for Volume 52 (1981)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare fitness levels of children participating in a movement education (ME) program to Illinois fitness norms (control group). The AAHPERD Health-Related Fitness test was administered to children ages 7 through 12 during May in each of the three years, 1980–83. The skinfold measures showed that the ME children had more skinfold thickness regardless of age and gender. Scores for sit-ups and sit and reach over the three years for ME children showed that the 9- and 11-year-old ME males had more abdominal strength and 11- and 12-year-old ME females, less flexibility. Times in the mile run indicated that ME children were slower than the control group. Reference scores at the 50th and 25th percentile on the Illinois norm tables were located for each fitness measurement. These references were then used to determine the percentage of ME children who fell at or above the 50th percentile and at or below the 25th percentile. Data indicated that ME children need remediation in cardiovascular activity and reduction in subcutaneous fat.     

Estimation of aerobic fitness from PACER performance with and without body mass index

Purpose: To develop models to estimate aerobic fitness (VO₂max) from PACER performance in 10- to 18-year-old youth, with and without body mass index (BMI) as a predictor. Method: Youth (N = 280) completed the PACER and a maximal treadmill test to assess VO₂max. Validation and cross-validation groups were randomly formed to develop and examine accuracy of models. Participants were classified into FitnessGram® Healthy Fitness Zone categories based on measured and estimated VO₂max and criterion-referenced validity was evaluated. Results: Multiple correlations between measured and estimated VO₂max ranged from .70 to .73, with standard errors of estimate between 6.43 and 6.68 mL·kg^?1·min^?1. Accuracy with and without BMI was nearly identical. Overall, criterion-referenced validity evidence was moderate. Conclusion: Moderately accurate and feasible models were developed. Minimal improvement in accuracy was noted when BMI was added as a predictor. The model with PACER and age as predictors has a high level of utility for youth fitness testing.     

A Multi-Method Multi-Analytic Approach to Establishing Internal Construct Validity Evidence: The Sport Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale 2

The purpose of the study was to examine the norm-referenced and criterion-referenced reliability and validity of the Back-Saver Sit-and-Reach Test (BSR; Single-Leg Sit-and-Reach; Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research [CIAR], 1999). One hundred seventy-nine elementary school children (87 boys and 92 girls), 6-12 years old participated, with 44 randomly selected participants retested on a second day. The BSR, Modified Schober (MSCH, Low Back Criterion Test), Passive Straight Leg Raise (PSLR, Hamstring Criterion Test), Active Knee Extension, True Lumbar Extension, True Lumbar Flexion, and Double-Leg Sit-And-Reach were administered in random order. Intraclass correlation coefficients (norm-referenced reliability) for the BSR were extremely high (.98-.99) for both boys and girls. Pa and Km (criterion-referenced test-retest reliability) for the right leg was .90 and .80, respectively, for boys; and .91 and .82 for girls, indicating the participants were classified consistently across days. Norm-referenced validity coefficients (Pearson product-moment correlations, r) of the BSR as a measure of hamstring flexibility were moderate for boys (.67 and .68, right and left legs, respectively) and moderately low for girls (.47 and .44, right and left legs). Correlation coefficients of the BSR as a measure of low back flexibility were extremely poor for boys and girls, with coefficients ranging from .003 to .06. Criterion-referenced validity of BSR for hamstring flexibility was low and unacceptable for right and left legs (Km: .48, .58, respectively), for both boys and girls (Km: .40, .22). The BSR appears to be similar to the Double-Leg Sit-and-Reach in that it is a test of hamstring flexibility but not low back. The criterion-referenced standards for both BSR and PSLR should be re-examined and adjusted to provide a better degree of classification agreement between the BSR and the criterion measure (PSLR).     

BMI-referenced cut-points for recommended daily pedometer-determined steps in Australian children and adolescents

The purpose of this study was to establish sex-specific criterion-referenced standards for pedometer-determined physical activity related to body mass index (BMI)-defined weight status among youth. We analyzed data from 7-16-year-old boys (n = 338) and girls (n = 337) and used pedometer-assessed physical activity and anthropometric data to derive average steps/day and BMI. Sex-specific criterion-referenced standards for steps/day relating to healthy weight and overweight/obese were determined using the contrasting groups method. Healthy weight children took more steps/day than overweight or obese (boys: 14,413 vs. 12,088, and girls: 12,562 vs. 10,114, respectively; p < .001). The optimal BMI-referenced cut-point emerging flom our sample was 16,000 steps/day for both boys and girls. Our results and those reported elsewhere suggest that youth take insufficient pedometer-determined steps/day to avoid becoming overweight.     

The Influence of Weight Change on Physical Fitness from Childhood to Adolescence

The study aimed to explore how weight changes from childhood to adolescence influenced the performances of physical fitness. The participants (N = 115) were pre-tested when they were in kindergarten, first, or second grades (mean age = 7.25). The same participants were post-tested again after 6 years. The President’s Challenge test battery was used in the study. A repeated measure multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted to examine the effects of time and body mass index (BMI) change on participants’ fitness performances. Results showed that participants who maintained normal weight made greater improvements in the performances of sit-ups, flexed-arm hang, and shuttle run tests than those who became or maintained overweight/obese weight status. Additionally, children who maintained normal weight were 6.21 times more likely to achieve healthy fitness zone (HFZ) standards for the 1-mile run post-test. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining normal body weight during elementary school years in achieving better physical fitness.     

Generalizability of the AAHPERD Health Related Skinfold Test

Abstract

Generalizability theory was utilized to investigate the amount of variation associated with various facets in the assessment of skinfolds as suggested by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) Health Related Physical Fitness Test. The facets utilized were testers, instruments, and repeated trials. Results indicate that the variation associated with the tester, instrument, and trial facets was small. Components of variance and G coefficients indicate that skinfold measures vary little depending upon the tester, instrument, or trial used. Suggestions are made for accurate assessment of the skinfolds recommended in the AAHPERD Health Related Physical Fitness Test.     

Reliability and validity of field-based fitness tests in youth soccer players

This study aimed to establish between-day reliability and validity of commonly used field-based fitness tests in youth soccer players of varied age and playing standards, and to discriminate between players without (“unidentified”) or with (“identified”) a direct route to professional football through their existing club pathway. Three-hundred-and-seventy-three Scottish youth soccer players (U11–U17) from three different playing standards (amateur, development, performance) completed a battery of commonly used generic field-based fitness tests (grip dynamometry, standing broad jump, countermovement vertical jump, 505 (505COD) and T-Drill (T-Test) change of direction and 10/20 m sprint tests) on two separate occasions within 7–14?days. The majority of field-based fitness tests selected within this study proved to be reliable measures of physical performance (ICC?=?0.83–0.97; p?p?2 (7)?=?101.646, p?相似文献   

美国学校体育与青少年体质健康促进基于技术框架的分析水

美国学校体育与青少年体质健康促进,从分析、指导、合作到评估,建立了一套科学完善的技术框架。在这一技术框架下,美国青少年体质健康促进取得了较为明显的效果。借鉴美国学校体育与青少年体质健康促进的技术框架,有助于我国将“阳光体育运动”的开展纳入规范化、科学化、制度化的轨道,深入全面地实现对我国青少年体质健康的促进．     

Cross-sectional and longitudinal relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement in Japanese adolescents

Abstract

Although cross-sectional studies regarding the relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement among Japanese children have been previously reported, no longitudinal study has yet been reported for Japanese children. The purpose of this study was to examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between physical fitness and academic achievement among Japanese adolescents. This cohort study included 1,189 seventh- and ninth-grade students from two schools. The follow-up period was 2 years. A physical fitness test involving eight test items (hand grip, sit-ups, sit and reach, side-to-side jump, 20-m shuttle run, 50-m dash, standing broad jump and handball throwing) was conducted to evaluate the fitness of the participants. Academic achievement in Japanese, mathematics and a foreign language (English) was assessed at baseline and follow-up using cumulative guidance records. Participants were classified into low–low, high–low, low–high, and high–high groups based on physical fitness test results at baseline and follow-up. Compared with the groups showing low fitness levels, those showing high fitness levels for all items of the physical fitness test expect handball throwing had increased odds of showing high academic achievement levels in all three subjects at baseline and/or follow-up compared with the low-fitness groups. Sit-ups and 20-m shuttle run in the high–high and low–high groups were related to higher academic achievement levels at follow-up compared with those in the low–low group for both boys and girls. Therefore, this study suggests that various physical fitness outcomes are positively associated with high academic achievement levels for Japanese children.     

Between-Day Reliability and Usefulness of a Fitness Testing Battery in Youth Sport Athletes: Reference Data for Practitioners

This study aimed to evaluate the between-day reliability and usefulness of a fitness testing battery in a group of youth sport athletes. Fifty-nine youth sport athletes (age = 17.3 ± 0.7 years) undertook a fitness testing battery including the isometric mid-thigh pull, counter-movement jump, 5–40 m sprint splits, and the 5–0-5 change of direction test on two occasions separated by 7 days. Usefulness was assessed by comparing the reliability (typical error) to the smallest worthwhile change. The typical error was 5.5% for isometric mid-thigh pull and 3.8% for counter-movement jump. The typical error values were 2.7, 2.5, 2.2, 2.2, and 1.8% for the 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 m sprint splits, and 4.1% (left) and 5.4% (right) for the 5–0-5 tests. The smallest worthwhile change ranged from 1.1 to 6.1%. All tests were identified as having “good” or “acceptable” reliability. The isometric mid-thigh pull and counter-movement jump had “good” usefulness, all other tests had “marginal” usefulness.     

Physical fitness percentiles for Portuguese children and adolescents aged 10–18 years

Abstract

This study aimed to produce age- and sex-specific physical fitness reference data for Portuguese youth; to report the prevalence of youth in the healthy zone of physical fitness according to the FITNESSGRAM^® criteria; to verify the agreement between the Portuguese physical fitness percentiles and the FITNESSGRAM^® healthy zones. In 2008, 22,048 Portuguese children and adolescents (10–18 years) were evaluated. Physical fitness (curl-ups, push-ups, 20-m shuttle run and modified-back-saver-sit-and-reach tests) was evaluated using the FITNESSGRAM^® Test Battery 8.0. Smoothed percentile curves were estimated using Cole’s LMS method. Boys consistently outperformed girls in every physical fitness test, except for the modified-back-saver-sit-and-reach tests. In both sexes and for all physical fitness tests, higher percentile values were observed at older ages. The 50th percentile of all physical fitness tests had the highest accuracy to discriminate between under healthy zone and healthy zone of the FITNESSGRAM^®. Portuguese schools and physical education teachers may considerer the 50th percentile for age and sex or the FITNESSGRAM^® criteria for classifying participants in the healthy zone as acceptable cut-offs, above which youth should be considered fit. These reference values can be used as normative data and for baseline values for subsequent surveillance of the physical fitness of Portuguese youth.     

Socioeconomic status and physical fitness in youth: Findings from the NHANES National Youth Fitness Survey

ABSTRACT

This study examined the associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and musculoskeletal (MSF) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in youth. The sample consisted of boys and girls between 3-15 years. SES was categorized utilizing family-income-to-poverty ratio (FIPR). All analyses were standardized for age and sex. For each test of physical fitness, SES was used to estimate mean fitness test percentile and 95% confidence intervals, controlling for race/ethnicity and physical activity. Odds ratios were calculated for the likelihood of having low fitness by SES category. In general, the high SES group had a better composite MSF, body composition, and CRF profiles than low and moderate SES groups. Statistically significant differences were identified for relative grip strength, plank, body mass index, and cardiovascular endurance time (all p < 0.05). Additionally, the odds of low/poor MSF fitness were 1.7 and 1.6 times higher in the low and moderate SES groups (respectively) compared to the children from high SES families. The moderate SES group had an odds of poor CRF 1.6 times higher than the high SES group as well. Children and adolescents from high SES families tend to have higher mean fitness and were less likely to have low/poor fitness.     

男子少年乙组背越式跳高运动员身体素质发展水平的评定方法与标准

经过几次测试指标的修正,最终确定了全程助跑摸高等4项作为评定身体素质发展水平的检查性项目。在此基础上,制订了男子少年乙组背越式跳高运动员身体素质发展水平的评定方法和评定标准。实践验证,这一方法和标准是可行的。