Exploring physical performance using Basic Fitness Test among adolescent athletes
Tarek M. El-gohary, Abdulla M. Al-Shenqiti, Mahmoud I. Ibrahim, Reda S. Eweda, Hatem A. Emara, Sameh R. Ibrahim.
Abstract
Background: Adolescent period is crucial period of life since it is accompanied by dramatic physiological and psychological changes. The sedentary life style and negative behaviours greatly affect adolescents maturation. Basic fitness test is a reliable test to explore the physical capacity and overall functional status.
Objective: The purpose of the study was to explore the physical performance of the elite adolescent athletes using the basic fitness test.
Methods& Materials: Fourteen consecutive male adolescents athletes aged between 13 and 17 years old participated in the study after getting the ethical approval. Upper and lower limbs mobility was assessed using Apleys and straight leg raise test respectively. After familiarization session, adolescents performed the basic fitness test including the flexed-arm hang, the 1000 meter run and the 11x 10 meter shuttle sprint test. The order of measurements was counterbalanced to avoid any threat to internal validity. Adolescents were naive to the outcome measurements before the analysis.
Results: There were wide variations in the outcome measurements among adolescents across the board. Seven participants (50%) were not able to touch finger tips using the Apley mobility test for upper extremities. Four participants (28.5%) could not perform the flexed-arm hang and 70% of all participants classified the test as heavy strong according to Borg rating scale of perceived exertion. All participants managed to perform the 11x 10 shuttle sprint test with having a mean value of 31.9±4.2 seconds. Also, about 96% of participants managed to complete the 1000 run test with a mean value of 31±4.2 seconds.
Conclusions: Basic fitness test should be conducted on different age strata at different geographic areas especially for adolescents to determine their physical capacity. Public health policies should promote high intensity exercises more than just regular activities to help adolescents physical maturation. Physical fitness would not only benefit physiological and psychological well-being of adolescents but their health behaviours.
Keywords: Athletes, strength, agility, endurance, mobility
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