ERIC Number: EJ1281197
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Feb
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1356-336X
EISSN: N/A
Students' Attitudes towards and Experiences of the Youth-Fit Health-Related Fitness Test Battery
O'Keeffe, Brendan T.; MacDonncha, Ciaran; Donnelly, Alan E.
European Physical Education Review, v27 n1 p41-56 Feb 2021
The aim of this study was to examine secondary school students' attitudes towards and experiences of a student-centred health-related fitness test battery. A total of 795 adolescents (403 boys, 50.7%; 392 girls, 49.3%) aged 13.2 years (±0.39) from 20 secondary schools in the Republic of Ireland participated in the study. Schools were stratified for gender, location and educational (dis)advantage. Students completed the test battery in small groups (n = [less than or equal to] 6) and each test item was administered by a trained senior student facilitator. Testing took place during physical education lessons. Test items included: body mass index; 20 m shuttle run; back-saver sit and reach; hand-grip strength; standing long jump; isometric plank-hold; 90° push-up; 4 x 10 m shuttle run; and blood pressure. Following participation in the test battery, students completed an instrument with valid scores for measuring attitudes towards fitness tests. Students' experiences of each test item were also analysed. Overall, students had a positive attitude towards fitness testing (M = 3.9, ±0.59) on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Although both positive, the mean attitude score for boys (M = 4.05, ±0.59) was significantly higher than girls (M = 3.79, ±0.59; p < 0.01, t-test). Most students (n = 690, 86.8%) agreed or strongly agreed that the senior student facilitator made it easier for them to perform the tests. In conclusion, students had positive attitudes towards and experiences of the Youth-fit test battery. Physical education teachers should consider implementing a small-group and senior student-facilitated approach when administering fitness tests.
Descriptors: Student Attitudes, Student Experience, Secondary School Students, Adolescents, Health Related Fitness, Tests, Physical Education, Body Composition, Physical Activities, Positive Attitudes, Gender Differences, Single Sex Schools, Disadvantaged Schools, Student Centered Learning, Facilitators (Individuals), Foreign Countries, Testing
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Ireland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A