Physical performance of young adult females from different racial groups in Singapore

The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that physical performance differs in females from distinct racial groups in Singapore and to examine possible reasons for any differences. Performances of pre-university and junior college (institutions) females in the National Aerobics Physical Fitness Award (NAPFA) test battery were analysed. The test items comprised of sit-ups, sit and reach, standing broad jump, inclined flexed-arm hang, shuttle run and the 2.4 km run. The sample consisted of 427 females (171 Chinese, 138 Indians and 156 Malays) between the ages of 16 to 21 years. The selection of both the institutions and subjects were randomised. The NAPFA test results were analysed by racial groups and institutions and compared with the Ministry of Education's (MOE) 1982 norms. Questionnaires were devised to obtain information about attitude towards physical activities, in and out of schools, from subjects and teachers' qualification and ECA details. These were analysed and compared with the test results. There were significant differences (P