What do Physical Fitness Tests Measure?—A Review of Factor Analytic Studies 1

Bass R. I. “An Analysis of the Components of Tests of Semi-circular Canal Function and of Static and Dynamic Balance.” Research Quarterly, X (1939), 33–52.

Brogden H. Burke L. Lubin A. A Factor Analysis of Measures of Physical Proficiency. Department of the Army. Personnel Research Section, PRS Report 937, 1952.

Carpenter A. “A Critical Study of the Factors Determining Effective Strength Tests for Women.” Research Quarterly, IV (1937), 3–32.

Carpenter A. “An Analysis of the Relationships of the Factors of Velocity, Strength, and Dead Weight to Athletic Performance.” Research Quarterly, XII (1941), 34–39.

Coleman J. W. “The Differential Measurement of the Speed Factor in Large Muscle Activities.” Research Quarterly, VIII (1937), 123–133.

Cousins G. F. “A Factor Analysis of Selected Wartime Fitness Tests.” Research Quarterly, XXVI (1955), 277–288.

Cumbee F. Z. “A Factorial Analysis of Motor Co-ordination.” Research Quarterly, XXV (1954), 412–428.

Cumbee F. Z. Harris C. W. “The Composite Criterion and its Relation to Factor Analysis.” Research Quarterly, XXIV (1953), 127–134.

Cumbee F. Z. Meyer M. Peterson G. “Factorial Analysis of Motor Coordination-Variables for Third and Fourth Grade Girls.” Research Quarterly, XXVIII (1957), 100–108.

Fleishman E. A. “Dimensional Analysis of Psychomotor Abilities.” Journal of Experimental Psychology, XLVIII (1954), 437–454.

Fleishman E. A. “A Comparative Study of Aptitude Patterns in Unskilled and Skilled Psychomotor Performances.” Journal of Applied Psychology, XLI (1957), 263–272.

Fleishman E. A. “Dimensional Analysis of Movement Reactions.” Journal of Experimental Psychology, LV (1958), 430–453.

Fleishman E. A. Hempel W. E. “Factorial Analysis of Complex Psychomotor Performance and Related Skills.” Journal of Applied Psychology, XL (1956), 96–104.

Hall D. Wittenborn J. R. “Motor Fitness of Farm Boys.” Research Quarterly, XIII (1942), 432.

Harris J. E. “The Differential Measurement of Force and Velocity for Junior High School Girls.” Research Quarterly, VIII (1937), 114–121.

Hempel W. E. Fleishman E. A. “Factor Analysis of Physical Proficiency and Manipulative Skill.” Journal of Applied Psychology, XXXIX (1955), 12–16.

Highmore G. “A Factorial Analysis of Athletic Ability.” Research Quarterly, XXVII (1956), 1–11.

Hutto L. E. “Measurement of the Velocity Factor and of Athletic Power in High School Boys.” Research Quarterly, IX (1938), 109–128.

Larson A. “A Factor and Validity Analysis of Strength Variables and Tests with a Test Combination of Chinning, Dipping, and Vertical Jump.” Research Quarterly, XI (1940), 82–96.

Larson A. “A Factor Analysis of Motor Ability Variables and Tests with Tests for College Men.” Research Quarterly, XII (1941), 499.

McCloy C. H. “The Measurement of General Motor Capacity and General Motor Ability.” Supplement, Research Quarterly, V (1934), 46–61.

McCloy C. H. “The Measurement of Speed in Motor Performance.” Psychometrika, V (1940), 173–182.

McCloy C. H. “A Factor Analysis of Tests of Endurance.” Research Quarterly, XXVII (1956), 213–216.

McCloy E. “Factor Analysis Methods in the Measurement of Physical Abilities.” Supplement, Research Quarterly, VI (1935), 114–121.

McCraw L. W. “A Factor Analysis of Motor Learning.” Research Quarterly, XX (1949), 316–335.

McHone V. L. Tompkin G. W. Davis J. S. “Short Batteries of Tests Measuring Physical Efficiency for High School Boys.” Research Quarterly, XXIII (1952), 82–94. (Intercorrelation matrix for 19 tests given to 135 college students, but no factor analysis. As mentioned in the review, this matrix was factor analyzed by Dr. Delmer C. Nicks. Another factor analysis of the same matrix can be found in Cumbee and Harris, 1953.)

Metheny E. “Studies of the Johnson Test as a Test of Motor Educability.” Research Quarterly, IX (1938), 105–114.

Parker J. F. Jr. Fleishman E. A. Prediction of Advanced Levels of Proficiency in a Complex Tracking Task. Aerospace Medical Laboratory, Wright Air Development Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. WADC Technical Report. 59–255, December, 1959.

Phillips M. “A Study of a Series of Physical Education Tests by Factor Analysis.” Research Quarterly, XX (1949), 60–71.

Rarick L. “An Analysis of the Speed Factor in Simple Athletic Activities.” Research Quarterly, VIII (1937), 89–105.

Roggen A. “A Study of the Relationships between the ‘General Factor’ in Events Primarily Depending upon Strength, and the ‘General Factor’ in Four Broad Jumps, Using Spearman's Method of Analysis for ‘G’.” Supplement, Research Quarterly, VI (1935), 122–127.

Seashore H. G. “Some Relationships of Fine and Gross Motor Abilities.” Research Quarterly, XIII (1942), 260–274.

Shapiro J. J. “A Factor Analysis of Twenty Tests for Pilots Given by the Army Air Force to West Point Cadets.” Unpublished Master's thesis, Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, 1947.

Sills F. D. “A Factor Analysis of Somatotypes and of their Relationship to Achievement in Motor Skills.” Research Quarterly, XXI (1950), 424–457.

Wendler A. J. “A Critical Analysis of Test Elements Used in Physical Education.” Research Quarterly, IX (1938), 64–76. B. The following references do not include original factor analyses. However, they contain correlational, reliability, or normative data, literature reviews, or measurement suggestions relevant to this review.

Adams J. A. An Evaluation of Test Items Measuring Motor Abilities. USAF Personnel and Training Research Center. Research Report 56–55. Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, 1955. (The correlations among physical fitness measures are presented and their lack of prediction of pilot success demonstrated.)

Bookwalter K. W. “A Survey of Factor Analysis Studies in Physical Education.” The Physical Educator, II (1942), 209–212.

Bookwalter K. W. Bookwalter C. W. A Measure of Motor Fitness for College Men. Bulletin of the School of Education, Indiana University, XIX (1934), 5–16. (Intercorrelations of 17 motor ability tests, with over 900 college men as subjects.)

Brace D. K. “Studies in Motor Learning of Gross Bodily Motor Skills.” Research Quarterly, XVII (1946), 242–253.

Brown H. S. “A Comparative Study of Motor Fitness Tests.” Research Quarterly, XXV (1954), 8–19. (Includes a survey of factor analysis studies and intercorrelations of 28 physical education tests, using 208 college men as subjects.)

Bucher C. A. Thompson D. W. “The Relationship between the Physical Fitness Ratings of Aviation Cadets and Certain Early Life Experiences Pertinent to Physical Activity.” Research Quarterly, XXX (1959), 136–143.

Clarke H. H. The Application of Measurement to Health and Physical Education. New York: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1946. (Includes an intercorrelation matrix for 5 strength variables.)

Clarke H. H. “Objective Strength Tests of Affected Groups Involved in Orthopedic Disabilities.” Research Quarterly, XIX (1948), 118–147.

Clarke H. H. “Improvement of Objective Strength Tests of Muscle Groups by Cable-Tension Methods.” Research Quarterly, XXI (1950), 399–419. (Detailed directions and pictures.)

Clarke H. H. “Relationship of Strength and Anthropometric Measures to Various Arm Strength Criteria.” Research Quarterly, XXV (1954), 134–143.

Clarke H. H. “Relationships of Strength and Anthropometric Measures to Physical Performances Involving the Trunk and Legs.” Research Quarterly, XXVIII (1957), 223–232. (Includes an intercorrelation matrix of 16 strength variables.)

Clarke H. H. Bailey T. L. Shay C. T. “New Objective Strength Tests of Muscle Groups by Cable-Tension Methods.” Research Quarterly, XXIII (1952), 136–148. (Detailed directions and pictures given.)

Clarke H. H. Carter G. H. “Oregon Simplification of the Strength and Physical Fitness Indices.” Research Quarterly, XXX (1959), 3–10.

Cureton T. K. Endurance of Young Men. Society for Research in Child Development Monograph, X (1945), No. 1.

Cureton T. K. Physical Fitness Appraisal and Guidance. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby, 1947.

Cureton T. K. Larson L. A. “Strength as an Approach to Physical Fitness.” Research Quarterly, XII (1941), 391–406.

Fruchter B. Introduction to Factor Analysis. New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1954.

Gates D. D. Sheffield R. P. “Test of Change of Direction as Measurements of Different Kinds of Motor Ability in Boys of the 7th, 8th, and 9th Grades.” Research Quarterly, XI (1940), 136–147. (Description of a number of tests for change of direction, mostly dodging runs and obstacle runs, with normative data.)

Gire E. Espenschade A. “The Relationship between Measures of Motor Educability and the Learning of Specific Motor Skills.” Research Quarterly, XIII (1942), 43–56. (Intercorrelations for Brace, Iowa-Brace, and Johnson test batteries.)

Guilford J. P. “A System of the Psychomotor Abilities.” American Journal of Psychology, LXXI (1958), 164–174. (One way of classifying physical fitness and other psychomotor factors is presented.)

Hunsicker P. A. Donnelly J. “Instruments to Measure Strength.” Research Quarterly, XXVI (1955), 408–420. (Descriptions of various dynamometers.)

Hunsicker P. A. Greey G. “Studies in Human Strength.” Research Quarterly, XXVIII (1957), 109–122.

Jones L. M. A Factorial Analysis of Ability in Fundamental Motor Skills. Teachers College, Columbia University, Contributions to education, 1935. (Monograph series) (Not a factor analysis in the contemporary sense. Intercorrelations for some of the common physical fitness tests are included.)

Kennedy F. T. “Substitution of the Tensiometer for the Dynamometer in Back and Leg Testing.” Research Quarterly, XXX (1959), 179–188.

Kraus H. Hirschland R. P. “Muscular Fitness and Health.” Journal of the American Association of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, XXIV (1953), 10–17.

Kraus H. Hirschland R. P. “Minimum Muscular Fitness in School Children.” Research Quarterly, XXIV (1954), 178–188.

Larson L. A. “Some Findings Resulting from the Army Air Forces Physical Training Program.” Research Quarterly, XVII (1946), 144–164.

Larson L. A. Yocom R. D. Measurement and Evaluation in Physical Health and Recreation Education. St. Louis: C. J. Mosby, 1951.

Leighton J. R. “A Simple Objective and Reliable Measure of Flexibility.” Research Quarterly, XIII (1942), 205–216. (An application of goniometer type instruments to 13 different movements; reliabilities computed.)

Mathews D. K. Measurement in Physical Education. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co., 1958. (Summary statement about factors from factor analysis studies on page 116.)

McCloy C. H. “An Analytical Study of the Stunt Type Test as a Measure of Motor Educability.” Research Quarterly, VIII (1937), 46–55. (Describes a number of stunt type tests, nearly all taken from or adapted from the Brace battery.)

McCloy C. H. “A Preliminary Study of Factors in Motor Educability.” Research Quarterly, XI (1940), 28–39.

McCloy C. H. “The Factor Analysis as a Research Technique.” Research Quarterly, XII (1941), 22–23.

McCloy C. H. Young N. D. Tests and Measurements in Health and Physical Education. New York: Appleton Century-Crofts, 1954.

McCloy E. “Factor Analysis Methods in the Measurement of Physical Abilities.” Supplement, Research Quarterly, VI (1935), 114–122.

McCraw L. W. Tolbert J. W. “A Comparison of the Reliabilities of Methods of Scoring Tests of Physical Ability.” Research Quarterly, XXIII (1952), 73–81.

Phillips B. E. “The JCR Test.” Research Quarterly, XVIII (1947), 12–29. (Includes intercorrelations for vertical jump, chinning and dodging run for 168 entering West Point Cadets.)

Rasch P. J. “Relationship of Arm Strength, Weight and Length to Speed of Arm Movement.” Research Quarterly, XXV (1954), 328–332. (Demonstrates lack of correlation between arm strength and speed of arm movements.)

Sargent L. W. Some Observations on the Sargent Test of Neuromuscular Efficiency. American Physical Education Review, February, 1924.

Scott M. Gladys , “Measurement of Kinesthesis.” Research Quarterly, XXVI (1955), 324–341.

Shaffer G. K. “Variables Affecting Krauss-Weber Failures among Junior High School Girls.” Research Quarterly, XXX (1959), 75–86.

Taddonia D. A. Karpovitch P. V. “The Harvard Step Test as a Measure of Endurance in Running.” Research Quarterly, XXII (1951), 381–384.

Thompson M. E. A Study of Reliabilities of Selected Gross Muscular Co-ordination Test Items. Air Training Command, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Human Resources Research Center, Research Bulletin 52–29, 1952.

Thompson M. E. Thompson J. P. Dusek E. R. Tests of Gross Muscular Coordination for Use in Selection of Personnel. Final Report, Contract AMC No. AF 33 (038)-22948, Air Research and Development Command, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, 1952.

Thompson M. E. Thompson J. P. Dusek E. R. Tests of Motor Ability or Gross Muscular Coordination. Air Research and Development Command, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Human Resources Research Center, Research Bulletin, 53–25, 1953.

Thurstone L. L. Multiple Factor Analysis. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1947.

Tuttle W. W. Janney D. D. Salzano J. V. “Relation of Maximum Back and Leg Strength to Back and Leg Strength Endurance.” Research Quarterly, XXVI (1955), 96–106.

Wendler A. G. “Analytical Study of Strength Tests Using the Universal Dynamometer.” Supplement, Research Quarterly, VI (1935), 81–85.

Young Olive G. “A Study of Kinesthesis in Relation to Selected Movements.” Research Quarterly, XVI (1945), 277–287. (19 kinesthesis tests plus general motor ability batteries given to 37 women and the intercorrelations are presented.)