Abstract
Twenty-one variables believed to be important indicators of health related physical fitness were measured on male and female college students between 1991 and 1993 (n=433). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic techniques were used in an attempt to derive important components of physical fitness. The exploratory factor analysis identified five important factors of collegiate physical fitness: (1) strength and endurance; (2) body composition; (3) heart rate; (4) blood pressure; and (5) flexibility. For the confirmatory factor analysis, an a priori model similar to that developed by Marsh (1992) and one similar to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) were tested in which body composition, body girth, muscular strength and endurance, cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, blood pressure, and cardiac functioning were hypothesized as important fitness parameters. Results of the confirmatory factor analysis indicate that neither the ACSM nor Marsh's model provided good fits for these students. Reliability estimates were high but poor validity and goodness of fit indices were found. This indicates that common fitness measurement techniques may be inadequate when assessing college students' fitness levels. (Contains 11 references and 3 tables.) (SLD)