Abstract:
The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the American
Association for Health Physical Education and Recreation (AAHPER)
youth fitness test scores of adolescent boys in Northern and Eastern
Provinces of Sri Lanka. Adolescent boys of 14 years of age from North
(n=400) and East (n=400) were randomly selected. AAHPER youth fitness
test which included a 50 yard dash for speed, standing broad jump for
explosive power, 1.5 miles run for endurance, sit-ups for abdominal strength,
shuttle run for agility and pull-ups for arm strength were used. Cumulative
score for the test battery was calculated for each participant. Results show
that the scores were mostly below the 50th percentile in all fitness qualities
assessed. It was concluded that the adolescent boys of Northern and Eastern
provinces of Sri Lanka have poor physical fitness. Special fitness programs
should be designed and implemented to improve the fitness of adolescent
with poor fitness. National level common fitness norms should be
constructed and standardized for fitness assessment.
