2-Minute Kra Dot Yang Test: A New Field-Based Testing of Cardiorespiratory Fitness for Children Aged 10 to 12 Years

Tongterm T, Chimphali K, Kaewma J, Thanatrai W, Sukdee N. 2-Minute Kra Dot Yang Test: A New Field-Based Testing of Cardiorespiratory Fitness for Children Aged 10 to 12 Years. JEPonline 2023;26(4):117-132. The objective of this study was to design and develop a field-based test to assess cardiorespiratory fitness in children aged 10 to 12 years, using Thai folk games. A research and development model, along with a cross-sectional study design, was employed in three steps. Firstly, a field-based cardiorespiratory fitness test using a Thai traditional game, rubber jumping, was developed for children aged 10 to 12 years. A sample of 35 children participated, and content validity was assessed by five experts. Secondly, the quality of the test items was evaluated using a sample of 60 children aged 10 to 12 years. Concurrent validity was determined by establishing the correlation coefficient between the results of the 2-Minute Kra Dot Yang Test developed by the research team and the results of the 600-Yard Run/Walk Test, with statistical significance set at 0.01. Evaluator reliability was assessed by retesting participants after a one-week interval using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) model. The ICC (3, 1) estimates the inter-observer reliability by finding the intra-class correlation coefficient from the ICC model (3, K). Thirdly, normative scores for the test items were established by the research team, considering sex and age variables, based on a sample of 600 children aged between 10 and 12 years. Normative score tables were constructed using percentiles. The findings revealed that the 2-Minute Kra Dot Yang Test demonstrated high content validity (IOC = 1) and concurrent validity (r = -0.79, P < 0.01), good intra-rater reliability (r = 0.79, ICC: 0.61-0.88), and very good inter-rater reliability (r = 0.90, ICC: 0.84-0.94). Furthermore, a physical fitness norm for children was established based on the 2-Minute Kra Dot Yang Test, categorized by gender (male or female) and age groups (10, 11, and 12 years old). The study concludes that the developed 2-Minute Kra Dot Yang Test program exhibited academic correctness, ease of use, availability of measuring equipment, safety in testing, and the ability to encourage children to participate in the test. Key Words: Children, Norms, Physical Fitness, Physical Fitness Test, Thai Folk Games