A study of fitness for health standards in Maltese school children : the Eurofit Battery

Abstract

"Health-related Fitness" is a phrase which is not always understood well. In Malta few attempts have been made to study this phenomenon in children and the repercussions in adult life. The literature review tries to give a clear picture of the various components of physical fitness related to health. It also provides evidence of the need to cater for such fitness from the young age-groups. The Eurofit Test Battery took almost 20 years to establish, but as yet no Maltese data is available. Such tests will make it possible for school teachers to harmonise their efforts at fitness testing. They will also have a set of norms to work with. 1,288 children ranging from 12 to 16 years old boys and girls. underwent the tests. These came from various Junior Lyceums, Area Secondary Schools and Church schools from Malta and Gozo. Anthropometric measurements show that the problem with obesity is very real in our school children. These measurements indicate gender and age differences. The Eurofit tests also indicated a number of differences due to gender and age. Comparison with a number of European data was made. A comparison was made with Italian data (including t-tests), and a graphic comparison was made with a number of European countries. The results show that our students still have to work hard to reach the standards set by their European peers. The literature reviewed suggests that this negative situation is liable to transmit itself into adulthood unless serious steps are taken to avoid this. A number of recommendations are proposed. These are directed towards the parents, the education authorities, the health authorities, and also non-governmental organisations. It is hoped that this will act as an eye-opener to the relevant authorities so that the proposed action will be taken as soon as possible.