Physical fitness tests

August 27, 2019 Educator's Corner

Physical fitness is one’s ability to execute daily activities with optimal performance, endurance, and strength with management of disease, fatigue and street and reduced sedentary behavior (Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine, Marc D. Gellman et.al.)

The definition implies that physical fitness is a personal matter and must be viewed within the context of an individual’s daily activities. People are different from one another they differ in age sex preference as well as their occupation and lifestyle.

People are considered to be physically fit when they can perform their daily work efficiently and effectively and with alertness and vigor.

In schools, Physical fitness tests are incorporated in the curriculum. This test enables teachers to gauge a student’s level of fitness while encouraging him/her to work on sports in which he or she is good about. This physical fitness test guides a student to discover his or her hidden potential. It is one way in which he or she can discover his truly love sport.

In order to have a uniform or standard way of gauging students and even adults’ fitness, researchers conducted numerous studies. One of which is Kenneth cooper. The revised physical fitness test he created was conceived based from the finest books written by distinct experts. The Fit Kids(1999), authored by Kenneth Cooper and the American College of Sports Medicine(ACSM), are the sources of the revised physical fitness test.

On the other hand, a, Filipino, Aparecio Mequi, the author of the revised physical fitness test manual, made some modifications on the different fitness test item to conform with the lifestyle of the Filipino children.

Body mass index(BMI), used by the food and nutrition research institute(FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to evaluate the nutritional status of students, enable teachers to know the fitness level of each student and discover his potential in sports.

After knowing their strength and weaknesses, using these tests, teachers can determine what sport is best for their students. Students who have multiple talents in sports can be guided or advised to concentrate on a definite sport which is best for him based on the result of the test.

The definition of physical fitness also states that after a day’s work, one still has sufficient energy to enjoy leisure and is still ready to meet unforeseen emergencies.

Wagner P. Dionisio, PhD.
Pines City National High School