PHYSICAL AND MOTOR FITNESS LEVEL OF INDIAN SCHOOL-GOING BOYS

A cross-sectional study of physical and motor fitness measurements was undertaken on 629 healthy Indian (Bengalee) school-going boys of 9-18 years. The study brought to light gradual increase in physical and mo tor fitness measurements with the advancement of age except physical f itness score. Major increments were recorded between 13 and 15 years o f age. All the fitness test scores showed significant positive correla tions with age, height and weight but Dash, Shuttle Run and PFI showed significantly negative relationship. Indian boys of the present study were superior in Sit and Reach and inferior in Vertical Jump to the B elgian boys of comparable ages. These boys showed higher values in Ver tical Jump than American boys after the age of 13. Dash and Shuttle Ru n test scores of Indian boys fall between 15th to 25th and 30th to 45t h percentiles of American Standard respectively. Besides, American boy s are superior in Grip Strength to Indian boys. Percentile values of p hysical and motor fitness test scores of Indian (Bengalee) boys are, t herefore, useful for determining their present fitness status and pote ntiality in that particular community for specific sports activity.