Table 1 Items of the PERF-FIT

Bouncing and Catching

Children bounce tennis ball to the floor and catch. This series involves five bouncing and catching items of increasing skill difficulty. All children start at the easiest level. This series is discontinued if the child scores less than 6 out of 10 catches.

Throwing and Catching

Children throw tennis ball in the air to at least eye level height and catch. This series involves five throwing and catching items of increasing skill difficulty. All children start at the easiest level of this series. The series is discontinued if the child scores less than 6 out of 10 catches.

Jump

Children are asked to jump inside an agility ladder. This series involves four jumping items of increasing difficulty. Two test trials are allowed if maximum score is not obtained.

Hop

Children are asked to hop inside an agility ladder. This series involves four hopping items of increasing difficulty for each leg. Two test trials are allowed if maximum score is not obtained.

Balance

Children are asked to perform two (2) static balance tasks for each leg and three (3) dynamic balance tasks. Tasks involve knee hugging, grasping the foot and picking cans from the floor at close and far distance.

Running

Children are asked to run (one foot per square) in 3.5 m agility ladder and run around a bottle placed at a distance of 50 cm from the starting line and return the same way as fast as possible. Two test trials are given for each child. The time taken (in seconds) to complete this task and number of mistakes made are recorded.

Stepping

Children are made to step with two feet in each square of a 3.5 m agility ladder and run around a bottle placed at a distance of 50 cm from the starting line and return the same place as fast as possible. Two test trials are given for each child. The time taken (in seconds) to complete this task and number of mistakes made are recorded.

Side Jump

Children are required to jump sideways on their feet. One foot per square, in the same three squares of the agility ladder. The total number of correct landings in 15 s is recorded for each of the two test trials.

Long Jump

Children are asked to jump forward as far as possible and land on their feet in a controlled manner (i.e. balanced landing). The distance between the starting line and the heel of the foot that landed closest to the starting line is measured in centimeters. Two test trials are given.

Overhead Throw

Children kneel just behind a starting line and throw a sandbag (2 kg) forward as far as possible. The bag is held over the head and thrown from a starting position behind the head. The distance between the starting line and the part of the sandbag closest to the starting line is measured in centimeters. Two test trials are performed.