A Factor Analysis of Tests of Endurance

Abstract

A factor analysis was computed on 12 athletic events, administered to 400 well-conditioned soldiers. Of these events, four could be considered to be tests of circulo-respiratory endurance, four were tests of muscular endurance, and the others were tests of speed. In addition four combinations of tests were included.

Four factors were found, one of circulo-respiratory endurance, one of velocity, one of muscular endurance, and one tentatively identified as mesomorphic body build. One important finding was the high factor weighting of the endurance index (300 yards run + 6 seconds run) with circulo-respiratory endurance (.8835).