Abstract:
Fitness testing, aimed at promoting physical activity and healthy living among
youth, has raised concerns globally due to fairness and appropriateness concerns.
Although exercise intensity is widely studied in weight loss research, its role as a
dependent variable remains unexplored. This study aims to investigate predictors
affecting exercise intensity during the step test and address the need for inclusivity
in fitness assessment practices in the Philippines. This study adopts a descriptive
correlational design, exploring the relationship between leg length, weight, and
exercise intensity during the 3-minute step test. Data was collected from 135
participants, and quantitative data on leg length, weight, and heart rate were
obtained. Multiple regression and Analysis of Variance were used for data
analysis, with ethical guidelines and research instrument validity established.
Regression analysis showed that leg length and weight significantly influence
exercise intensity while indicating a strong correlation. Approximately 86.3% of
exercise intensity variability can be explained by leg length and weight. The Fvalue
confirms the statistical significance, rejecting the null hypothesis. Leg length
negatively impacts exercise intensity, while weight has a positive effect, aligning
with previous research. These findings provide empirical evidence for the
importance of leg length and weight in determining exercise intensity. The study
underscores the significance of leg length and weight as predictors of exercise
intensity during the 3-minute step test. These findings contribute to understanding
the determinants of exercise intensity and highlight the importance of inclusivity
in fitness assessments. However, the study has limitations, being conducted on a
specific sample, and other factors may influence exercise intensity. Future research
should explore additional variables and diverse groups to enhance our
understanding of exercise intensity and promote equitable fitness assessment
practices.
