A CRITIQUE OF PHYSICAL FITNESS TESTS
Abstract
This project has three purposes: (1) To analyze data from this Laboratory on physical fitness as measured by the Harvard Step Test, the Navy Step Test, the Army Ground Forces Test and the Army Air Forces Test; (2) To discuss the difficulties in definition and measurement of physical fitness; (3) To make recommendations for the improvement of present tests and for the development of new tests. None of the tests studied is satisfactory for discriminating between degrees of individual fitness. This fault differs in kind and degree among the tests. None of the tests studied is satisfactory for discriminating between degrees of individual fitness. This fault differs in kind and degree among the tests. Several of the tests are satisfactory as gross measures of fitness and permit satisfactory comparison of groups. A battery of fitness tests is a better measure than a single test. Appraisal of fitness by good line and non-commissioned officers, familiar with their men, is as good or better than fitness tests in evaluating troops. Performance tests, when competition is aroused, serve as incentives to improve fitness.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 19, 1947
- Accession Number
- AD0806395
Entities
People
- Charles R. Henderson
- Charles R. Park
- David M. Bell
- William B. Bean
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Laboratory