Fitness Measures Among Boy Scouts Completing the Personal Fitness Merit Badge

Assessment of Physical Tests in 6-11 Years Old Children: Findings from the Play Lifestyle and Activity in Youth (PLAY) Study

The purpose was to evaluate selected physical tests in children and to compare the outcomes by sex. A cross-sectional study design was used to evaluate children 6-11 years who completed five physical tests: hand grip, vertical jump, sit and reach, Y-balance, and obstacle course (time and score). The outcome measures including test results were descriptively examined and compared by sex. The study participants consisted of 133 children (62 males and 71 females, with a median age of 7.8 years). Girls showed superior sit and reach performance (p = 0.002) compared with boys. Boys demonstrated better Y-balance scores (p = 0.007) and faster obstacle time (p = 0.042) than girls. Sex comparison within three age groups (6-<8 years, 8-<10 years, and 10-<12 years) showed that girls performed better on the sit and reach compared with boys in the in 6-<8 years (p = 0.009). Boys demonstrated higher Y-balance scores (p = 0.017) and faster obstacle time (p = 0.007) compared with girls in the 8-<10-year age group. These data will serve to guide future efforts to evaluate normative measures of physical literacy and guide targeted training interventions to promote sustained physical activity in children with deficits relative to their age and sex norms.

Description and Comparison of Health Behaviors to Fitness Measures Among Boy Scouts

The purpose of this study is to describe, compare, and correlate self-reported health behaviors (HB) to fitness test (FT) measures among boy scouts initiating the Personal Fitness Merit Badge (PFMB) requirements. A descriptive study recruited scouts ages 11-17 years using a sample of convenience. A survey of self-reported responses to physical activity, weight and nutrition, and PFMB required FTs were assessed. Descriptive statistics reported age and survey responses. A pairwise comparison examined the differences in negative and positive survey responses to FT measures; whereas the Spearman Rank correlation analyzed physical education (PE) classes and sports team participation with FT performance. Ninety-nine scouts, age 12.6 (SD 1.4) years, met inclusion criteria. Positive responses to being at a recommended weight and engaging in less screen time demonstrated significantly better performance on pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups, and one mile run (1MR) tests; whereas scouts reporting to have been physically active at least five times in the past week performed better on the push-ups, sit-ups, and 1MR tests. Improved sit and reach flexibility and sit-up tests were correlated to more days in PE; whereas team sport participation correlated to better 1MR and sit-up test performance. Nutritional practices and reduced screen time demonstrated favorable trends among scouts compared to all-male adolescence nationally; however, weight and physical activity behaviors suggest targeted interventions are warranted. Scouts initiating the requirements of the PFMB may be well-positioned to embark on targeted health behavior changes aimed at achieving long-term healthful lifestyles.