VIII.4.3. NETFIT
The research of Hungarian School Sport Federation (MDSZ) provided the instruments to determine the fitness level of the students in 2013. The primary aim of the project is to revise and regulate the content of PE classes. Strategic Actions for Health – Enhancing Physical Education 2020 is a planning that defines strategic aims as well as the related measures allowing the establishment to achieve quality physical education. These aims involve human resources, infrastructure, curriculum and qualification. The conception of this project is to offer each school a unified program, which also intends to serve as a means of prevention. Strategic Actions for Health is a criterion orientated complex test system containing standard assessment methods and techniques. These tests are also differentiated according to age and gender. They satisfy the needs of the Hungarian physical education on the long term, and allow the evaluation of health enhancing physical fitness of students. The test kit with its profiles provides information about students’ body composition, aerobic fitness, musculo-skeletal fitness as well as their flexibility so that students become aware of what level and segment of their fitness should be developed or changed. NETFIT (Hungarian National Student Fitness Test) offers innovative software that allows data management and the operation of a personal assessment report. The main segments of measurement are body composition, aerobic fitness, musculo-skeletal fitness and flexibility. The project also expects to use and gain data about PE classes based on questionnaires and health-diagnostic lab tests.
NETFIT test types:
- Measurement of body composition and nutritional status, weight index and percent body fat
- Scheduled abdominal muscle test – power of abdominal muscles and force-stamina
- Torso lifting test – trunk extensor force and stretching power
- Scheduled push-up test – upper body muscle strength
- Measurement of hand grip strength – maximal grip strength of the hand
- Long jump from standstill position – knee flexor muscle force
- Shuttle run test (20 m – 15 m) – aerobe capacity
It is suggested that students should do the tests in pairs. In this way they will learn the process and have some idea of what competencies and capabilities are measured, and in their daily routine what kind of capabilities they will need. NETFIT has been designed for evaluating elementary and grammar school children’s physical fitness. Although lower grade children’s maximal physical performance is not the aim of the project, but it can also be done. Validity and reliability are important factors, but the test must also be simple to perform, require minimal resources, and be motivational for students, although the aim of this test in these age groups is not to assess maximal performance and achievement.