Standardizing physical fitness evaluation for male Pencak Silat athletes aged 15–16 in Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam

Abstract

This study aimed to establish standardized criteria for assessing physical fitness levels in male Pencak Silat athletes aged 15–16 in Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam, to improve training effectiveness and support athlete selfassessment. Pencak Silat, a traditional martial art, requires high levels of speed, explosive power, endurance, and motor coordination. Current fitness evaluation practices in Ha Tinh are inconsistent, lack age-specific standards, and are not based on validated testing protocols. The research objectives were to select appropriate physical fitness tests and construct age-specific evaluation standards. The study employed literature analysis, pedagogical observation, structured interviews with 40 experts (coaches, referees, and sports administrators), pedagogical testing of 20 male athletes, and mathematical–statistical methods, including descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and t-tests. Expert consultation identified five key physical fitness components: speed, explosive power, strength endurance, general endurance, and motor coordination. From an initial pool of 28 indicators, 16 were selected through expert consensus (≥70% agreement) and subsequently refined to 10 tests that demonstrated high reliability (r ≥ 0.80), strong criterion validity (r ≥ 0.71), and statistical significance (p < 0.05). The final test battery comprised six general fitness tests (15 s rope skipping, 30 m flying-start sprint, 30 s push-ups, standing long jump, vertical jump, and 3000 m run) and four sport-specific tests (20 s doubletarget punching, 15 s continuous crescent kicks, 30 s elastic-band resisted kicks, and 30 s rear sweeps). Agespecific classification standards (excellent, good, average, poor, and very poor) and a 10-point scoring system for each test (maximum total score: 100 points) were established using the sigma method (e.g., excellent > M + 1.5 SD). Validation through forward and reverse testing on a subsample of athletes demonstrated strong predictive accuracy, with higher composite scores corresponding to medal-winning performance at national youth championships. The proposed evaluation standards provide a practical and scientifically grounded tool for coaches to monitor physical fitness and adjust training programs effectively. Future research should extend these standards to other age groups and female athletes, as well as integrate the system into provincial and national Pencak Silat development programs.