Book Description

This review describes fourteen factors of physical proficiency identified from previous research. Other possible factors which might be discovered were also described. A number of questions were raised regarding the structure of skill in this area and suggestions were made for future studies to answer these questions. Several things are clear. There is no such thing as general physical proficiency. The problem is a multidimensional one. It is also clear that previous studies comparing American youth with youth of other countries have assessed only a small number of the factors already identified. Eventually the development of a battery of basic reference tests which will provide comprehensive coverage of abilities in this area is anticipated. Such measures would also allow an assessment of the relative contributions of the component abilities to a variety of different, more complex, athletic performances. An outline and description of tests which might be included in such studies is presented. Some are well known tests but others are new ideas. This outline also provides an interim report of what abilities such tests probably measure.