Author(s): G Latha and Meera Raman

Abstract:
Adolescents are a unique group where rapid physiological changes and increased physical activity create high demands on fitness and well-being. Athletes in this age group, like soccer players, need structured training and nutritional programs to reach their best performance. The Khelo India Fitness Test is an important initiative for promoting fitness among Indian youth by testing core fitness components such as muscular endurance, abdominal strength, flexibility, speed, and stamina. This program provides a holistic development of adolescent physical capacities through athletic development. The study comprised 300 male adolescents representing three developmental stages: the pre-adolescence stage, that is, 10-12 years; 13-15 years which falls under the adolescence phase; and the post adolescence stage, representing the age group of 16-18 years. Equal numbers of participants were chosen for the control and experimentation groups. The Khelo India Fitness Test was assessed before and after the intervention session to all participants. The experimental group received an age-specific, highly nutritious diet according to the energy and nutrient requirements, whereas the control group followed standard physical routines and dietary habits. All fitness parameters showed significant improvements in the experimental group. The scores in the Push-Up Test, abdominal strength, flexibility, speed, and stamina were improved significantly. However, the experimental group had a better and more consistent progress than the control group. For example, flexibility and stamina have made significant improvements but mostly in the experimental group indicate the importance of focused intervention for the improvement of sport performance. These results thereby indicate the necessity of incorporating structured and age-specific dietary and exercise programs. The Khelo India Fitness Test and Nutrition approach by aligning age-specific interventions with requirements therefore supports better fitness and can promote a culture of high achievement in sports and well-being.

Pages: 03-07  |  57 Views  39 Downloads

Download Full Article: Click Here