Validity of the Squat-Thrust Test Component of the New York State Physical Fitness Test as a Measure of Cardiovascular Endurance

Abstract

Many schools require the New York State Physical Fitness Test to be administered to grades four through twelve, at the beginning and end of the school year. The squat-thrusts are used to measure endurance. The purpose of this study was to determine if the squat-thrust test component of the New York state Physical Fitness Test was a valid test of aerobic endurance. Cooper's Twelve-Minute Run/Walk Test was used as the criterion measure of aerobic capacity. Eight hundred and thirty-six students were tested on the twelve-minute run/walk test and the squat-thrust test. Twenty students stopped while taking the twelve-minute run/walk test, and their results were not used. Students tested were in the fourth grade, eighth grade, eleventh grade and twelfth grade. Data were statistically analyzed by the Pearson r. The correlation coefficient was +0.30. This correlation coefficient did not indicate a significant relationship between the twelve-minute run/walk test and the squat-thrust test. It is recommended, based on these results, that Cooper’s twelve-minute run/walk test be substituted for the squat-thrust test to measure aerobic capacity. The researcher also suggests that the squat-thrust test be assessed for suitability as a measure of anaerobic capability.