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 ! 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.