Muscular endurance and flexibility components of the Singapore National Physical Fitness Award

The selection of fitness tests for national fitness test batteries has been a major concern over the last decade in many countries. The present study examined muscular endurance and flexibility components of the Singapore National Physical Fitness Award (NAPFA) Scheme and compared the results with other similar fitness test protocols. A total of 286 subjects (149 males, 137 females) voluntarily participated and were divided into six age and gender groups. Significant correlations and no statistical differences (p < .05) were found between abdominal endurance using different protocols indicating that any of the alternative tests could be substituted for the NAPFA sit up test which has been classified as a contraindicated exercise (MacFarlane, 1993). In upper body muscular endurance tests, secondary age boys and all adults showed a high correlation (p < .01) with alternative test protocols. Replacement of the pull up test with the Vermont modified pull up test was recommended for primary and secondary boys because of the low number and many zero scores from the present NAPFA test. From this study it was concluded that the sit-and-reach test measured using a zero reference point from the floor could replace the present sit-and-reach test because the alternative protocol accounted for arm and leg differences. These findings provide safer and relevant alternative protocols for a national battery of field fitness assessments.