| Author: | Wong, Chi-yuen |
| Title: | Physical fitness for primary school children in Hong Kong |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 2007 |
| Subject: | Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations Physical fitness for children -- China -- Hong Kong Physical education and training -- China -- Hong Kong |
| Department: | School of Nursing |
| Pages: | 223 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 31 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Background: This was part of a community-based project of the Centre for Telehealth and Telecare at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The purpose of this project is to establish normative data of physical fitness in primary school-aged children in Hong Kong. Objectives: The objectives of the study were (1) to compare the differences in physical fitness parameters for children between two primary schools in Hong Kong; (2) to compare the differences in physical fitness parameters between boys and girls in Hong Kong; and (3) to find the relationship between lifestyle/health status and physical fitness parameters in order to establish normative data on physical fitness for children in Hong Kong. Method: A survey was conducted with the convenient sampling for children at any class level in a primary school with voluntary basis. Prior to measuring their individual physical fitness parameters, a lifestyle/health status questionnaire was distributed to the subjects. The measurement of their physical fitness was then carried out for six consecutive Saturdays. Standardized instruments were used in conjunction with reliability tests in each session. Main outcome measurements included body composition, flexibility, muscular power, running speed, cardiovascular endurance and respiratory function. Data analysis: The Independent samples t-Test and Mann-Whitney U test for comparison between two independent groups were used to compare the outcome measures, and logistic regression to examine the relationships between lifestyle/health status and physical fitness parameters. Results: In the six major physical fitness parameters, the results fluctuated significantly between boys and girls and between the two schools. Boys had a higher mean score in physical fitness parameters than girls except for the step test. The results between schools varied, especially within age groups. However, there were little significant relationships between lifestyle/health status and physical fitness parameters. The primary school children in the study were relatively physical fit and not obese. Conclusion: This study is the first step in providing a baseline of physical fitness for primary school-aged children in Hong Kong with a view to conducting a wider, community-based study in the future to establish a normative databank. The ultimate contribution of the study was to provide data for planning and executing physical health strategies to prevent morbidity and mortality caused by poor physical fitness. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b20809074.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 1.69 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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