General Motor Fitness Test:
Barrow’s Three-items General Motor Ability Test Motor abilities play a very vital role in achieving apex position in games and sports. Motor fitness involves speed, agility, power, coordination, strength and so on. These components of fitness are necessary for competing at top levels.
For measuring general motor fitness, the three-item test battery of Barrow is used. In this test, a battery of three items such as standing broad jump, zig-zag run and medicine ball throw is used to measure the general motor ability of an individual.
The details of administration of these tests are described below:
1. Standing Broad Jump (for measuring leg strength)
Equipment and material: A mat of 5 × 12 feet and a measuring taps, if the mat is unmarked.
Procedure: A take-off line is marked on the ground. The subject stands just behind the take-off line with the feet several inches apart. The subject swings the arms and bends the knees to take a jump in the long jump pit. Three trials are given to the subject. The distance is measured from the take-off line to the heel or another part of the body that touches the ground nearest to the take-off line. All jumps are measured and the best one is recorded.
2. Zig-Zag Run (for measuring agility and speed)
Equipment and material: Stopwatch, five obstacles and space enough to accommodate the 16 × 10 feet course.
Procedure: The subject begins from a standing start on the command to run. The subject runs the prescribed pattern stated to him as quickly as he can without gasping. Three complete circuits are run. The stopwatch is started when the command to run is given and stopped immediately when the subject crosses the finish line. The time is recorded to the nearest tenth of a second. Before running the zig & zag run, the subject should warm up properly. The subject should wear proper fitting shoes with good traction to avoid blisters and slipping. Demonstration of the pattern of the course should be given by the administrator before the beginning of the run.
3. Medicine Ball Put (for measuring arm and shoulder strength)
Equipment and material: A medicine ball and measuring taps.
Procedure: The subject stands between two restraining lines which are 16 feet apart. In the case of girls, a medicine ball of 1 kg is provided, whereas in the case of boys a medicine ball of 3 kg is provided to be put. After that, he/she attempts to put the medicine ball out as far as possible without crossing the restraining line. He/she should hold the medicine ball at the junction of the neck and shoulder then the ball should be put straight down the course. Three trials are given to him/her. The best of three trials is recorded. The distance is computed to the nearest foot. A put in which the subject commits a foul is not scored. However, if all the trials are fouls, a subject he/she should try until he/she make a fair put.
