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Abstract
The sit-up is widely used in fitness testing. The purpose of this study was to investigate an alternative to the full sit-up testing for middle school physical education. Ninety-four subjects (45 males, 49 females) performed two one-minute half sit-up tests (HSI and HS2) and a one-minute full sit-up test (FS). Percent body fat and flexibility were measured to test any relationship with HSI, HS2, or FS. Results included a high test-retest reliability of HSI and HS2 (intraclass R = .96), even though there was a significant difference between HSI and HS2 (p < .05). The relationship between FS and HSI and HS2 were moderate (HSI, r = .59; HS2, r = .61). Percent body fat revealed extremely low relationships with HSI (r =-. 12) and HS2 (r=-. 16). Flexibility had low relationships with HSI (r =. 15) and HS2 (r= .22). The half sit-up was reliable and should be considered as an alternative to the full sit-up for fitness testing in middle school physical education programs.
Introduction
A lack of physical activity has been linked to a number of health problems. There is evidence that over 11 million American youth are obese and that obesity has been linked to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, joint stress, and other health problems (Strand, Scantling, & Johnson, 1997). Physical activity can help reduce obesity levels as well help to benefit healthier lives. Children and youth in the United States are not participating in the recommended amounts of physical activity to lower health risks (Corbin & Pangrazi, 1996). There has been more of an emphasis for physical education programs to be more health related. By incorporating health related fitness into the physical education program, children can get the recommended levels of physical activity required to lower health risks. The Healthy People 2000 Objectives for the Nation (U.S. Public Health Service, 1991) is a document of objectives that are specifically aimed at improving the health of United States children and youth. These objectives are helping to push physical education programs to be more fitness oriented.
One area of physical activity that is incorporated in the physical education program is abdominal strength and endurance. The abdominal muscles are important because they help to promote good posture (Troup...