THE DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH-RELATED PHYSICAL FITNESS TESTS AND NORM FOR KASETSART UNIVERSITY STUDENTS KAMPHAENG SAEN CAMPUS

Abstract

This research aimed to 1) develop health-related physical fitness tests, 2) establish norms for health-related physical fitness, and 3) evaluate the health-related physical fitness levels of undergraduate students at Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus. The study employed a research and development (R&D) design consisting of four sequential phases. Participants were 2,454 undergraduate students (1,180 males and 1,274 females), aged 18–22 years, enrolled in the 2024 academic year, selected using stratified random sampling. The research instruments were health-related physical fitness tests: leg strength, sit-up (1 minute), push-up (1 minute), 3-minute step, sit and reach, and body mass index. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, and T-score.

The findings indicated that 1) the developed test demonstrated strong alignment with the theoretical components of health-related physical fitness. The instrument exhibited excellent psychometric properties, with a validity of 1.00, reliability of 0.93, and objectivity of 0.95. 2) Sex-specific norms were established using t-scores and classified into five performance levels: very good, good, moderate, fair, and poor. 3) Health-Related Physical Fitness Assessment Results classified by gender against norms are as follows. Male students' muscular strength was rated as “needs improvement,” while female students were rated as “fair.” In other fitness components, muscular endurance (sit-up, 1 minute) and cardiorespiratory endurance for both male and female students were rated as “fair.” Muscular endurance (push-up, 1 minute) and flexibility for both genders were rated as “moderate.” For body composition, both male and female students were assessed as being within the “normal” range. When analyzed by faculty, a similar overall pattern was observed. For the majority of both male and female students, muscular strength ranged from needs improvement to fair; muscular endurance ranged from fair to moderate; cardiorespiratory endurance ranged from needs improvement to moderate; and flexibility ranged from fair to moderate. Body composition for the majority was classified as “normal.” However, students from a subset of faculties were assessed as “overweight.” In summary, the developed test and norms effectively classify fitness levels and support health promotion at the university.