Reliability of Health related Fitnessgram Tests for Aerobic Capacity and Strength in Greek

Schoolchildren Ages 10-12

George Lapousis, Konstantinos Laparidis, & Elisavet Petsiou

Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Hellas

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the reliability of a set of health-related physical fitness tests of Fitnessgram, designed to assess the aerobic capacity and strength among Greek school children 10-12 years of age. A set of physical fitness tests was performed by the same researchers twice, 3 weeks apart, in the study sample. Aerobic capacity was assessed using the 1 mile run-walk test, abdominal strength/endurance was assessed using the curl up test and upper arm and shoulder strength/endurance was assessed using the 90 push-up test. A total of 259 school children (124 males and 135 females) randomly selected participated in the study. The reliability of the 1 mile run-walk test, the curl up test and the 90   push-up test was determined by the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Also the paired sample t-test was used to examine the differences between groups for all depended variables (p< .05). Results revealed that reliability in 1 mile run-walk test, was ranged from excellent to very good, in 90ο push up test reliability was ranged from very good to low and in the curl up test from excellent to low. Results also revealed, that there were no significant differences (p<0.50), between the initial and the remeasurement in both sexes and all ages. In conclusion our findings suggest that there is acceptable reliability in 1mile run-walk test, curl up test and 90ο push up test, which can be used to evaluate the physical fitness levels in students of these ages.

Key words: Aerobic capacity, battery tests, endurance, reliability, strength.