Hw. Marsh, THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE OF PHYSICAL-FITNESS - INVARIANCE OVER GENDER AND AGE, Research quarterly for exercise and sport, 64(3), 1993, pp. 256-273
This investigation extends the factor analytic approach pioneered by F
leishman (1964) by incorporating subsequent developments in the applic
ation of confirmatory factor analysis and the physical fitness literat
ure. Specifically, it tests the ability of an a priori factor structur
e of physical fitness to fit (i.e., account for) data based on 25 indi
cators of fitness (field exercises, technical measures, and laboratory
measures) for 2,817 boys and girls aged 9,12, and 15. An eight-factor
(Cardiovascular Endurance, Explosive/Dynamic Strength, Static Strengt
h, Flexibility/joint Mobility, Blood Pressure, Lung Function, Body Gir
th, and Skinfold) model derived from previous research fit the data we
ll for each of the six age/gender groups, considered separately. Based
on tests of factorial invariance, factor loadings and factor correlat
ions were reasonably invariant across the six groups. This important f
inding indicates that all 25 indicators are equally valid for boys and
girls aged 9, 12, and 15 and that the multidimensional structure of p
hysical fitness generalizes over gender and age.