A Comparison of Fitness Test Administrative Measures.

A study was conducted to determine how fitness scores may be affected by varying the method of administration. Five fitness tests were administered to 426 children in grades 1-3. The children were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: traditional instruction, competition, and encouragement. The testing team administered five fitness tests: 40-yard dash, sit-ups in 60 seconds, shuttle run, standing long jump, and flexed arm hang. Results indicated that fitness scores were affected by altering the testing environment. Significant findings include: (1) when comparing a combination of the three grades, both the competition and encouragement groups achieved better results than the traditional instruction group in each fitness test; (2) the method of administering the 40-yard dash is immaterial until third grade when either competition or encouragement can improve scores; (3) encouraging first-grade children during a sit-up test or a shuttle run can improve performance; and (4) by third grade, using either competition or encouragement as a motivator can dramatically improve scores in a 40-yard dash, sit-ups, shuttle run, and flexed arm hang. It appears that physical fitness educators can influence fitness scores by the method used to motivate children before and during testing. (IAH)