Health-related fitness in Hmong youth
Abstract
This study investigated the health-related fitness of Hmong
youth (male and female), grades 6-11 in the Ila Crosse School
District using the presently implemented physical fitness
test battery. Subjects were 2,674 students, including 302
Hmong. The subjects were split into 2 groups, Hmong (H) and
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all others (AO), then subsequently divided into 3 age
categories: 13 years and under, 14-16 years, and 17 years
and over. All subjects performed the following tests: sit
ups (SU), mile run (MR), sit and reach (SR), flexed arm hang
(FAH) or bench press (BP), and skinfold measures (SF). The
results were analyzed by t-tests to determine significant
differences between H and A0 (p .05). Current fitness
levels were compared to health-related criteria for each
component of fitness. Sit up scores for H females, across
all age groups, fell into the suboptimal category and were
significantly different from A0 females in each age group.
Mile run scores for both H and A0 fell into the good or
marginal fitness category. No significant differences were
found between groups for any age classification. Sit and
reach scores in all cases (except H females, 14-16 years), H
were significantly different from A0 and fell into the above
optimal category. Flexed arm hang scores H (males and
females) 13 years and under were below optimal. Skinfold
scores for all subjects (except H males 13 years and under)
were within the optimal category for health-related fitness.
This research identifies the current health-related fitness
levels of students in a Midwestern school district and
suggests cultural differences that may influence that
fitness status. Recommendations are made for practical
application and future research.
Subject
Hmong American teenagers - Health and hygiene
Hmong American children - Health and hygiene
Physical fitness for children - Cross-cultural studies
Physical fitness for children - Testing