La prueba del escalón de Harvard en jovenes mexicanos

Abstract

Of the several methods that can be used to assess physical fitness, we consider that the Harvard step test has distinct advantages for anthropological field work. We present a table designed by us for this test. We couldn't find any data of this test in Mexican Populations, published in ihe current anthropological literature. Two groups were studied. one was of 171 men from the Instituto Técnico de la Procuraduría del Distrito Federal who were asking for admittance to the judiciary police courses. The other was of 94 male medical students from our Universitv, Both groups had women, but we decided to pool their data due to the small number of the ones from ITPDF. Our findings confirm the important sexual dimorphism of our groups. Male universitv and ITPDF students behave very differently. The results of the second are much better. We interpret this as a consequence of self selection before asking to be admitted to the police academy. The very poor results
of women are also interpreted as a result of the lack of a sport tradition among mexican women. We suggest that the usual 20 in. table be used in this test for men above 1650 mm., those below this height should use the 17 in. one. recommended for women. On the other hand, women above 1610 mm. should use the 17 in. table and those under this height a 15 in. one.