The development of a rasch measurement physical fitness scale for Hong Kong primary students

The development of a rasch measurement physical fitness scale for Hong Kong primary students

• Yan, Zi The Hong Kong Institute of Education

2009

Pacific Rim Objective Measurement Symposium 2009 (PROMS 2009) Hong Kong (2009: The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong, China)

• G Curriculum, Teaching & Learning: Specific Disciplines
  • GH Sport Science, Health & Welfare

• Hong Kong

• 1997.7 onwards

• Primary Education

Empirical Research Background: Traditional approaches to physical fitness assessment have two major deficiencies: the first, the high dependence on raw scores limits the validity and accuracy of the interpretation of assessment results because raw scores are not valid ―measures‖ with inferential value; the second, students have to attempt all of the separate fitness indicators in order to get the whole picture about their abilities on the different components of physical fitness. Empirical Research Aims: This study aimed to explore a new approach to physical fitness measurement by developing a Rasch Measurement Physical Fitness Scale (RMPFS) consisting of the physical fitness indicators routinely used in Hong Kong primary schools. Empirical Research Sample: Data used in this study were retrieved from the database of a Hong Kong primary school covering primary students‘ physical fitness data over academic years 2002-03 to 2006-07. Empirical Research Method: Students‘ performances on 9 physical fitness indicators, i.e, BMI, 6-minute Run, 9-minute Run, 1-minute Sit-ups, Standard Push-ups, Modified Push-ups, Sit-and-Reach, Right Handgrip, and Left Handgrip, were analyzed with WINSTEPS 3.0. The partial credit model was specified for the analysis. The fitness indicators were investigated one by one from a Rasch measurement perspective. Empirical Research RASCH: The scale development was guided by Rasch measurement principles. The fitness indicators that violated Rasch measurement requirements would be excluded from the scale. Empirical Research Results: 1) A RMPFS which integrates three components of physical fitness including cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular endurance, and muscular strengthen was successfully developed; 2) The RMPFS and its scale indicators showed fit to the Rasch model sufficient for the intended purposes of measuring overall fitness of children. Empirical Research Conclusions: The findings of this study will be informative to physical education teaching application and policy making by providing a better knowledge basis in interpreting physical fitness assessment results and give appropriate feedback to students. The successful development of the RMPFS provides strong evidence of the benefits derived from the techniques used in this research. It acts as a model practice that could be transplanted to other similar samples to build up school-based database so that more meaningful interpretation of physical fitness assessment results can be achieved.

Paper presented at the Pacific Rim Objective Measurement Symposium 2009 (PROMS 2009) Hong Kong

• English

Conference Papers

https://bibliography.lib.eduhk.hk/bibs/344f0733

2015-10-08