Rogers Physical Fitness Index
The Rogers Physical Fitness Index is an early attempt to create a single fitness index based on scores from a range of fitness tests. This index created by Frederick Rand Rogers in the 1920s, is an adapation of a strength test commonly used in the early twentith centry, the Intercollegiate Strength Test developed by Dudley A. Sargent. The McCloy Index is a further refinement of this test.
It is not recommended that this assessment be used, rather it is included in the list of fitness indexes for historical reasons. Interestingly, lung function was included as a part of the assessment, but later versions of this index often left out that measurement.
Equipment required
The testing equipment required included a grip dynamometer, leg and back dynamometer, and a lung spirometer, horizontal and parallel bars.
What Tests Are Used?
This test is made up of seven test items, six items of which measure the strength of large muscle groups while the seventh item, the spirometer test, measures the lung vital capacity. Age, height, and weight are also recorded for each subject before testing. The battery of tests is administered in the following order.
- lung Capacity
- Grip Strength (left hand)
- Grip Strength (right hand)
- Back Lift
- Leg Lift
- Chin Ups
- Dips
Calculations
Firstly, arm strength is calculated using the chin-up and dips results, using this formula:
arm strength = (chins + dips) X { (weight/10) + (height - 60) }
The Rogers Strength Index was calculated by adding arm strength, plus the right grip, left grip, back strength, leg strength, and lung capacity) and the Rogers Physical Fitness Index is calculated as the achieved Strength Index divided by the norm based on strength for a given age, weight, and sex.
References
- Rogers, Frederick Rand, (1925) Physical Capacity Tests in the Administration of Physical Education. Teachers College Contributions to Education, No. 173. New York: Teachers College, Columbia University, 1925
- Rogers, Frederick Rd, Tests and Measurement Programs in the Redirection of Physical Education (Bureau of Publications. New York: Teachers College, Columbia University, 1927), 16-17.
- Rogers, F. R. Physical Capacity Tests (New York: A. S. Barnes and Co., 1931), 9-27.
- Rogers, Frederick Rand. Fundamental Administrative Measures in Physical Education. Newton, Mass.: Pleiades Co., 1932.
- Cozens, Frederick W. (1940) Strength Tests as Measures of General Athletic Ability in College Men, Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, 11:1, 45-52.
- Allen, Gordon L., (1940) A comparative study of the Rogers Strength Index and the Springfield Muscular Efficiency Index, Springfield College Thesis.
- Wahrer, John William. (1957) Rogers Physical Fitness Index Test As A Measure Of Body Conditioning At Parsons College. Thesis for Degree Master of Science in Education, Drake University.
Related Pages
- Other examples of a single fitness index
- McCloy Physical Fitness Test — an adaptation of the Rogers Index.
- About the pioneer in sports science, Dudley A. Sargent
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