THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE OF PHYSICAL-FITNESS - INVARIANCE OVER GENDER AND AGE

Authors
Citation
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
Citations number
35
Categorie Soggetti
Psychology, Experimental
ISSN journal
02701367
Volume
64
Issue
3
Year of publication
1993
Pages
256 - 273
Database
ISI
SICI code
0270-1367(1993)64:3<256:TMSOP->2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
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.