Physical fitness norms of upper body among army Reserve Officer Training Unit (ROTU)

Abstract

The study aims to establish physical fitness norms for upper body among Army Reserve Officer Training Unit Cadet Officers (ROTU) at National Defence University of Malaysia (NDUM). The fitness norms is an important tool for evaluating physical fitness and motivate the military officers to maintain good physical health for the readiness of physical combat. This study was conducted on (n=212) respondents consisting of male cadet officers ROTU of National Defence University of Malaysia (NDUM). Population and sample surveys were selected purposively in which all the samples were the population of ROTU male cadet officers at the NDUM. This study uses two physical fitness test batteries as a research instruments. The study was quasi-experimental with the design of a one-group pre-test-post-test. Descriptive statistical analysis of mean, standard deviation, percentile, frequency and percentage were used in this study. This study also used t-test to analyse the differential pre and post-test of the three fitness test battery that used in this study. The result showed that mean and standard deviation for respondents’ physical fitness norms aged 19 to 21 years were, (m=56.30, SD=11.64) for one-minute push up test for upper body and (m=47.70, SD=9.96) for one-minute sit up test for middle upper body and. Results of the t-test of the repeated measurements between pre and post test showed that physical fitness achievement for two physical fitness test batteries was significant (p<0.05). Implication of this study, this built in physical fitness norms can provide guidelines for defence and security forces in measuring the physical fitness level of defence and security personnel in Malaysia.