Comparison of Physical Fitness Levels among Semester 3 Pre-University Sports Science Students in Khir Johari High School Based on the Prudential Fitnessgram Test Battery

Abstract

This study compared health-related physical fitness levels among Semester 3 pre-university Sports Science students at SMK Khir Johari using the Prudential FITNESSGRAM test battery. A descriptive quantitative field-survey design was employed. All 39 students in the class, comprising 19 male and 20 female students, were selected through purposive sampling. Fitness was assessed using BMI, PACER, push-up, curl-up, and trunk lift tests. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, and independent-samples t-tests in SPSS version 24. Male students recorded higher mean scores than female students in the PACER test (35.57 vs 24.86), push-up test (25.58 vs 7.60), and curl-up test (26.37 vs 15.85). Trunk lift scores were similar between male (27.32) and female (28.15) students. The reported analyses indicated significant male–female differences in PACER, push-up, and curl-up performance, whereas the trunk lift difference was not significant. For BMI, 57.89% of male students and 65.00% of female students were in the normal category, while 21.05% and 10.00%, respectively, were overweight. These findings provide school-level evidence on selected components of health-related physical fitness in this pre-university cohort. They may support teachers and students in monitoring fitness and setting appropriate improvement targets. Interpretation should remain specific to the sampled class because the study involved one school and purposive sampling.