P hysical F itness C omponents Here we will discuss about measurement and evaluation of the major components of physical fitness: (i) Muscular Strength: Push-ups, Abdominal Curls and Squat Thrust (ii) Muscular Endurance: meter run/walk test (iii) Flexibility: Sit and Reach Test (iv) Assessment of Body Mass Index (BMI) (v) The Waist-Hip Ratio or Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) Muscular Strength As discussed in the previous chapter, muscular strength refers to the ability of the muscle or group of muscles of an individual to overcome or to act against the resistance. It largely depends upon a few things such as physiological factors like cross-section of the muscle, ratio of slow and fast twitch fibers in muscle, coordination between muscles (agonist and antagonist), ATP and CP store, which plays an important role in providing energy to the active muscle or group of muscles. The psychic factors or the present state of mind such as anger, aggression, motivation, emotional state, etc., have positive as well as negative correlation in muscular strength. For measuring the strength of the muscle or group of muscles, we must have the knowledge of muscles and also of the particular exercise for particular muscle and supportive muscles.
For example, while performing the pull ups, an individual lifts his body, the deltoid, latissimus dorsi, trapezius and biceps contract and produce power whereas the triceps stretch and play the supportive role. Now if we want to measure the strength of upper limb (arms), then pull-ups can be one of the test items, but if we want to measure the strength of lower limbs (legs), then we have to think of other exercises. Muscular strength can be measured with the help of one’s own body weight or with the help of equipment such as dynamometer, tensiometer, weight plates and barbell, etc. Tests related to Muscular Strength There are different types of tests to measure muscular strength.
Push-up The push-up or press up fitness test measures the upper limb muscular strength and muscular endurance. There are many variations of the push-up test, such as different placement of the hands, how far to