Physical Fitness Of New Zealand Youth To Be Tested

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 August 1949, Page 4

Physical Fitness Of New Zealand Youth To Be Tested

WELLINGTON, This Day (P.A.). —The greatest caution in the drawing of general conclusions from the physical examination of Army recruits at Trentham was urged by the annual conference yesterday of the National Council of the Physical Education Society of New Zealand. A list of suitable tests will be, drawn up. The council ’pointed out that no valid conclusions of a general nature would be drawn from data obtained in the examination of such small numbers and it set up a committee to compile a list of tests which might be used as a valid, reliable and objective method of measuring ■ the physical condition of the boys in the 17 and 18-year-old groups. After these tests have been decided upon, the council will seek the cooperation of the Education Department in applying tests to a sufficient number of upper form boys in postprimary schools, and training college entrants, to provide a large sample of New Zealand youth. The data thus obtained should, the council believed, give a reasonably accurate estimate of the physical ntwhat line of action should be taken, what line of action sholud be taken. The urgent need for more trained specialists in physical education and recreation in New Zealand was also emphasised by the conference. The Government, it was stated, had expressed concern over the poor physical condition of young people, but was doing very little to train persons to help in the schools and the community with that vital work.