Author(s): Hrishikesh Sinha and Dr. Arindam Ghosh

Abstract:
This study examines the impact of indigenous physical activities on motor fitness among tribal school boys in Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal. A total of 200 male students, aged 12-16 years, were selected from five rural schools and categorized equally into four age groups (12-13, >13-14, >14-15, >15-16 years) through purposive sampling. Motor fitness was assessed using the AAHPERD Youth Fitness Test, covering pull-ups, sit-ups, 50-meter sprint, shuttle run, standing broad jump, and 600-meter run. Quantitative analyses using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and Turkey’s HSD post-hoc tests revealed significant age-wise improvements (p<0.001) in all six motor fitness components. Notably, pull-up and sit-up means more than doubled from youngest to oldest group, while sprint, shuttle run, and 600-meter run times decreased markedly, signifying improved speed, agility, and cardiovascular endurance. Turkey’s HSD showed that most significant gains occurred in early adolescence, with continuous improvement across variables except for some plateauing in speed and endurance after age 15. The findings highlight the substantial benefits of regular indigenous activity for motor fitness development and recommend integration of such practices within school curricula. Further research is suggested to broaden understanding to other genders and regions.

DOI: 10.22271/kheljournal.2025.v12.i4g.3931

Pages: 434-438  |  158 Views  63 Downloads

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