PHYSICAL FITNESS NORMS FOR CHILDREN AGED 10–12 YEARS USING A PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST WITH THAI TRADITIONAL GAMES

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Abstract

This research is a cross-sectional descriptive study aimed at establishing physical fitness benchmarks for children aged 10–12 years using the Thai Traditional Games Fitness Test. The sample consisted of 600 children aged 10-12 years residing in Mueang Si Sa Ket District, Si Sa Ket Province, selected through quota sampling with proportional allocation by gender. The group was divided into 300 boys (100 aged 10 years, 100 aged 11 years, and 100 aged 12 years) and 300 girls (100 aged 10 years, 100 aged 11 years, and 100 aged 12 years). The research instrument was the Thai Traditional Games Fitness Test for children aged 10–12 years. Data were analyzed using mean, percentage, and standard deviation. The physical fitness benchmarks were established by categorizing by gender and age into five levels: very low, low, medium, good, and very good, using percentile values. The study's results provided a table of physical fitness benchmarks for children aged 10-12 years using the Thai Traditional Games Fitness Test across eight criteria: the 10-meter Rot Thai Na test, 10-meter Kradot Kop test, 2-minute Kra Dot Yang test, Pao Yang test, Ling Ching Lak test, Kluai Tak test, 2-Hop Kratai Kha Diao test, and Khwang Ling test. These research findings can be used as a benchmark for comparing the physical fitness levels of children aged 10-12 years in Thailand.