Fitness gram is a health-related fitness test that utilizes criterion-referenced standards on health-related components. Fitness gram includes a variety of health- related physical fitness tests designed to assess cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. These standards are age and gender specific and are established based on how fit children need to be for good health. Fitness gram was developed in 1982 by The Cooper Institute in response to the need in physical education for a detail and comprehensive assessment, and with the vision of helping enhance the effectiveness of school- based physical education. In accordance to the present health and reduced risk of disease, the Fitness gram standards were developed and the results were the minimal levels of fitness which is consistent.
This study aims to evaluate the interrater reliability of the FitnessGram test, a tool for physical fitness assessment, among school children in the urban area of Guwahati, North-East India with present and future risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease, skeletal health and mental health. As such the assessment of physical fitness using a specific tool has become an important part to find ou the fitness level of children and adolescence.
Author(s) Details:
Pranjal Gogoi
Department of Physiotherapy, Downtown Hospital ltd, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Nirmal C. Bhattacharyya
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Gauhati Medical College, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Recent Global Research Developments in Adolescent Fitness Test Feasibility Study
Background:
- Physical fitness is crucial for overall health and well-being. It encompasses cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular endurance, strength, flexibility, coordination, and speed.
- Assessing physical fitness using specific tools helps determine fitness levels in children and adolescents.
- The FitnessGram test, which utilizes criterion-referenced standards, has gained popularity in the United States but is less commonly used in India [1].
Interrater Reliability Study:
- Researchers conducted an interrater reliability study in Guwahati, India, involving 62 school students aged 5 to 14 years.
- Two physiotherapists assessed the students using the FitnessGram test battery, with a one-week gap between assessments.
- Outcome measures included various fitness variables.
- The study found excellent reliability for all test variables (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.91-0.95), indicating that the FitnessGram test is a reliable tool for assessing physical fitness in children [2].
Conclusion:
- Based on this study, the FitnessGram test battery can be confidently implemented for assessing physical fitness in school-age children.
- It provides valuable insights into health-related components and helps identify areas for improvement.
References
- Gogoi, P., & Bhattacharyya, N. C. (2020). Interrater reliability of fitness gram test to be used as a reliable tool for assessing physical fitness for school children in guwahati urban society of north-east india. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 8(1), 312.
- Gogoi, P., & Bhattacharyya, N. C. (2019). Interrater reliability of fitness gram test to be used as a reliable tool for assessing physical fitness for school children in Guwahati urban society of North-East India. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 8(1), 312–316. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20195928
- RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF THE FITNESSGRAM® PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ITEMS
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