Methods

Since the primary purpose of EMOTIKON is to assess and evaluate physical fitness of third graders aged 8.0 to 9.0 years in a state-wide effort, our aim was to develop a test battery that is suitable for the physical education setting. Physical education is characterized by specific conditions such as limited space, equipment, and time. Therefore, all tests should be economical, practicable, and should require only minimal school specific equipment (e.g., stopwatch, measuring tape, medicine balls, pylons). Furthermore, the tests should cover different components of physical fitness in order to provide a holistic evaluation of children’s physical fitness status. Due to these circumstances together with long-lasting experiences from the EMOTIKON study (2006-2009), six previously published physical fitness tests (mostly from the German Motor Test) were included in a physical fitness test battery. 

Until 2015, the specific test battery comprised six tests for the assessment of cardiorespiratory endurance (i.e., 6 min run test), change-of-direction speed (i.e., star run test), speed (i.e., 20-m linear sprint test), flexibility (i.e., stand and reach test), proxies of lower (i.e., standing long jump test), and upper limbs muscle power (i.e., ball push test). In 2016, the one-legged balance test was included in the test battery because of strong statistical correlations between balance, cognitive function and injury risk in children. At the same time, the stand and reach test was excluded from the test battery. However, the stand and reach test can still be carried out voluntarily. 

More detailed information in regards of the different physical fitness tests are illustrated in the test manual and in short video clips.