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Assessing Physical Fitness Differences between High School and Dakhil Madrasah Boys in Bangladesh
Shaybal Chanda
1
& Md.Sardar Ashikur Rahman
2
Review:13/06/2025 Acceptance: 12/07/2025 Publication: 13/07/2025
Abstract
Background: Physical fitness is essential for adolescents as it promotes overall health, prevents chronic diseases, and
improves mental and cognitive well-being. Aim: To compare the physical fitness and motor performance of boys from
High Schools and Madrasahs in Rangpur District of Bangladesh. Methods:400 physically fit boys aged 14–16 from 10 high
schools and 10 madrasahs were randomly selected. Using the JCR fitness test, measurements of age, weight, height, and
BMI were taken. Vertical jump was recorded as the best of three attempts, chin-ups counted in one trial, and shuttle run
time measured over a 100-meter course between two 10-meter markers. Statistics: Data were analyzed using the Mann-
Whitney U test due to non-normal distribution, with a power of 0.89 and a medium effect size. Results: High School
students had a higher mean vertical jump (42.62 cm) and faster shuttle run time (26.96 milliseconds), while Madrasah
students showed higher mean chin-ups (8.22) and overall JCR fitness scores (232.69). Significant differences were found in
vertical jump (U = 17587.00, p = .037), favoring High School students, and in overall JCR score (U = 17461.00, p = .028),
favoring Madrasah students. No significant differences were observed in height, weight, BMI, chin-ups, or shuttle run time
despite differences in mean values. Conclusion: The study shows Madrasah boys performed better overall in fitness, High
School boys excelled in leg power (vertical jump), and both groups had similar chin-up and shuttle run results.
Key words: Adolescent fitness, JCR Fitness Test, Vertical Jump, Chin-up, Shuttle Run, Motor Fitness.
Background
Physical fitness is a vital component of adolescent health and development, encompassing the ability to perform daily life
activities with vigor and resilience, while minimizing fatigue and injury risk(Neumann et al., 2022; Ortega et al., 2008). It
has a crucial role in preventing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and certain cancers, while also
strengthening the immune system and supporting healthy aging(Bushman, 2020; Forte et al., 2022; O et al., 2019).
Additionally, it enhances mental well-being, boosts cognitive function, and contributes to better academic and work
performance(Kwak et al., 2009; Mandolesi et al., 2018; Pronk et al., 2004). The American College of Sports Medicine
highlights five key components of physical fitness: cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance,
flexibility, and body composition, each integral to overall health and functionality(Medicine, 2013). On the other hand, in
the field of sports training, fundamental components of physical fitness include strength, endurance, speed, flexibility, and
coordination, which playa pivotal role in physical performance and skillful movement (Fischetti & Greco, 2017; Nazymok
et al., 2024).
In Bangladesh, secondary education is provided through three parallel streams: general high schools, vocational schools,
and DakhilMadrasahs.These offer education mainly from 6th to 10th grade, with Dakhil formally recognized as equivalent
to high school(Chowdhury & Sarkar, 2018).According to the Bangladesh Ministry of Education (2023), in 2023, a total of
2,041,450 students appeared in the SSC and equivalent examinations across Bangladesh, including candidates from 9
1
Associate Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Faculty of Health Science, Jahore University
of Science and Technology, Bangladesh. E-mail: shaybalchand@yahoo.com
2
Student, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Faculty of Health Science, Jahore University of Science
and Technology, Bangladesh. E-mail: aratom6@gmail.com
Corresponding Author:ShaybalChanda, E-mail: shaybalchanda@yahoo.com
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General Education Boards, the Madrasah Education Board, and the Technical Education Board. Among them, 1,009,803
were male and 1,031,647 were female, with pass rates of 78.87% and 81.88% respectively. From the 9 General Education
Boards, 1,633,919 students took part, including 776,519 males (79.34% pass rate) and 857,400 females (82.39%). In the
Dakhil examination under the Madrasah Education Board, 285,087 students appeared - 139,655 males (72.29%) and
145,432 females (77.02%). From the Technical Education Board (SSC Vocational and Dakhil Vocational), 122,444
students participated, comprising 93,629 males with a pass rate of 84.78% and 28,815 females with a pass rate of 91.44%.
This reveals that among all male students who appeared in the SSC and equivalent examinations in 2023, 76.89% were
from the General Education Boards, 13.83% from the Madrasah Education Board,and9.28% from the Technical
Education Board.(SSC Result 2023, 2023).Notably, the SSC (Secondary School Certificate) examination, also known as
the 10th Standard in countries like Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, is roughly equivalent to the Cambridge O-Level
(Ordinary Level) qualification is part of the British (UK) education system. The government has made it mandatory to
recruit physical education teachers in all general schools, vocational schools, and Madrasahs, ensuring equal access to
structured physical education for all students. Additionally, students from Madrasahs, technical schools, and schools have
equal opportunities to participate in inter-institutional sports competitions organized at various levels by the Bangladesh
National School, Madrasa, and Technical Education Sports Association(Shefali, 2021; Sun, 2022).
Physical fitness in adolescence affects not only health but also thinking skills, school performance, and social
development(Ahmed, 2013; Haverkamp et al., 2021). Research shows that active teens do better in school, have better
memory and focus, and are more confident socially than less active teens(Donnelly et al., 2016). Conversely, poor physical
fitness is linked with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and chronic health conditions(Sawchuk & Olatunji, 2011).
Despite equal provisions like government-funded physical education teachers and joint sports competitions, it remains
uncertain whether students from schools and Madrasahs achieve similar levels of physical fitness. Although both offer
similar physical education programs, Madrasahs focus more on religious studies while schools follow a more balanced
curriculum, suggesting that equal resources may not guarantee the same fitness outcomes. Physical exercise is crucial for
children’s holistic development and the nation’s future, as even a portion of children develop poorly, it can harm their
growth and weaken the country’s progress.Given the government’s efforts to provide Madrasah students with resources
and opportunities comparable to general school students, this study aims to investigate whether these efforts result in
equitable physical fitness outcomes. The primary research question guiding this investigation is: What are the
differences in physical fitness levels between high school and Dakhil Madrasah boys in Bangladesh? The objective is
to assess and compare the physical fitness levels of high school and Dakhil Madrasah boys in Bangladesh, identifying any
disparities that may exist despite similar opportunities.
Materials and Methods
Participants
A total of 400 boys from the 9th and 10th standards were selected as subjects for the present study, with 200
students from 10 high schools and 200 from 10 madrasahs in the Rangpur District of Bangladesh. The selected
institutions were located in urban, suburban, and rural areas of the district. The age of the participants ranged
from 14 to 16 years.The average height of male High School students was 164.27 cm (±6.27 cm), while male
Madrasah students had a slightly lower mean height of 163.87 cm with greater variability (±8.61 cm). In terms of
weight, male High School students averaged 52.40 kg (±8.76 kg), and male Madrasah students averaged 51.71
kg but with a wider spread (±12.62 kg). For BMI, male High School students had a mean of 19.39 (±2.84),
whereas male Madrasah students had a slightly higher average BMI of 20.14, accompanied by much larger
variability (±11.32).
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
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Before data collection, permission was obtained from the respective institutional authorities. Participation was
voluntary, and interested students were considered. Using stratified random sampling, 20 male students were
selected from each institution, including 10 from the 9th standard and 10 from the 10th standard. Only students
who were physically fit and free from any illness or injury at the time of data collection were included. All
participants signed an informed consent form and were allowed to withdraw from the study at any time without
obligation.
Study Design
The physical fitness parameters assessed in this study encompassed age, body weight, body height, Body Mass
Index (BMI), vertical jump height, chin-up repetitions, and shuttle run duration. These variables were evaluated
using the JCR fitness test protocol developed by Phillips (1947). This test holds Reliability of .91-.97 and
Validity of .81. Vertical jump height was measured to the nearest centimeter, while chin-ups were recorded as
the total number of correctly performed repetitions. Shuttle run time was precisely timed to the nearest hundredth
of a second. BMI was calculated following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standard formula, which
divides weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters. To facilitate data collection, the study employed
various equipment, including a digital weighing machine, height scale, measuring tape, chalk, chin-up/pull-up
bar, stopwatch, and a wooden block.
Test Protocol
Data were collected by administering the JCR fitness test. First, the subjects were briefed on the test procedures.
Then, using a weighing machine and height scale, each participant was called individually to record their age,
weight, and height. Following this, measurements for vertical jump (in centimeters), chin-up repetitions, and
shuttle run time (in seconds) were collected according to the standardized JCR fitness test protocols.
JCR Fitness Test Protocol
Before the official test began, all participants were given a clear demonstration of each test component to ensure proper
understanding. Additionally, a short, low-intensity practice session was offered. Those who were interested were allowed
to practice voluntarily before performing the actual test.
1. Vertical Jump: Each participant applied lime powder to the fingertips to clearly mark the highest point they could
reach. Standing beside a marked wall, they were instructed to jump as high as possible and touch the wall with their
powdered fingertips.
2. Chin-up: Participants gripped the chin-up bar with an overhand grip, palms facing outward, and were instructed to pull
their body upward until their chin cleared the bar, then lower themselves fully before the next repetition.
3. Shuttle Run: Participants started at the line between two markers placed 10 meters apart. At the signal, they ran back
and forth between the markers 10 times in one trial, covering a total distance of 100 meters as quickly as possible. The
time taken to complete the shuttle run was recorded using a stopwatch, measured to the nearest hundredth of a second.
Data Collection Procedure
For each test item under the JCR Fitness Test, data were collected using standardized procedures to ensure
accuracy and reliability.
1. Vertical Jump: Each participant performed three trials of the vertical jump. The best jump height among the three was
recorded and measured to the nearest centimeter.
2. Chin-up: Participants were given a single trial to perform as many correct chin-ups as possible. Only properly
executed repetitions, where the chin clearly passed above the bar and full extension was achieved during descent, were
counted.
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3. Shuttle Run: Each participant completed one trial of the shuttle run, which involved running back and forth between
two markers placed 10 meters apart, completing 10 lengths (a total of 100 meters). The time taken to complete the trial
was recorded in milliseconds using a digital stopwatch.
4. JCR Test Score:The JCR fitness test score was calculated by first converting the shuttle run time into a Normalized
Relative Score, which was then combined with the scores from the vertical jump and chin-up tests.
Statistical Analysis
The raw data were analyzed using standard statistical techniques. Measures of central tendency and dispersion were
calculated using the mean and standard deviation, respectively. Before selecting the appropriate statistical tests, tests for
normality and homogeneity were conducted. The results indicated that the data did not follow a normal distribution, and
homogeneity of variance was not met. As a result, nonparametric statistical methods were applied. Specifically, the Mann-
Whitney U test with significance of α=.05 was used to assess group differences due to its suitability for non-normally
distributed data. With the sample size of 200 in each group, the power of the test (1 – β) was calculated as 0.89,
corresponding to a medium effect size (Cohen’s d) of 0.5.
Results
Table 1. Descriptive Statistics of Vertical Jump, Chin-up, Shuttle Run, and JCR Test Score
Descriptive
VerticalJump
(centimeters)
HighSchool
Mean
42.62
SD
±6.53
Madrasah
Mean
41.54
SD
±12.65
Chin-up
(number)
HighSchool
Mean
7.33
SD
±3.75
Madrasah
Mean
8.22
SD
±12.40
ShuttleRun
(milliseconds)
HighSchool
Mean
26.96
SD
±2.12
Madrasah
Mean
27.54
SD
±10.63
JCR FitnessTest
(score)
HighSchool
Mean
228.42
SD
±13.04
Madrasah
Mean
232.69
SD
±101.60
The descriptive statistics indicate that High School students demonstrated a slightly higher mean vertical jump
performance (42.62 cm, SD = ±6.53) compared to Madrasah students (41.54 cm, SD = ±12.65). Conversely, Madrasah
students achieved a higher mean in chin-up performance (8.22 repetitions, SD = ±12.40) than their High School
counterparts (7.33 repetitions, SD = ±3.75). In the shuttle run, High School students performed better, with a lower mean
time (26.96 milliseconds, SD = ±2.12) than Madrasah students (27.54 milliseconds, SD = ±10.63), reflecting greater
agility. Finally, the mean JCR fitness test score was slightly higher among Madrasah students (232.69, SD = ±101.60) than
High School students (228.42, SD = ±13.04). Notably, the standard deviations for all variables were substantially higher
among Madrasah students, indicating greater variability and inconsistency in performance within that group.
Table 2. Mann-Whitney U Test between High School and Madrasah Boys
Test Statisticsa
Height
Weight
BMI
Vertical
Jump
Chin Up
Shuttle
Run
JCR Test
Score
19937.00
18324.50
19933.50
17587.00
19778.00
18471.50
17461.00
.956
.147
.954
.037
.847
.186
.028
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a. Grouping Variable: Institution Type: High School VS Madrasah
The Mann-Whitney U test was applied to compare physical and fitness characteristics between High School and Madrasah
boys. Although descriptive statistics consistently showed that High School boys had superior mean values across all
variables - including height, weight, BMI, vertical jump, chin-up, shuttle run, and the overall JCR test score - statistically
significant differences were found only in vertical jump (U = 17587.00, p = .037) and JCR test score (U = 17461.00, p =
.028). No significant differences were observed in height, weight, BMI, chin-up, or shuttle run performances, despite the
higher average scores of High School boys. These results indicate that while High School boys generally performed better,
the differences were statistically meaningful only in explosive leg power and overall motor fitness.
Discussion
This study is important because it provides valuable insights into the physical fitness differences between student groups,
helping educators and coaches develop more effective, tailored training programs to enhance youth fitness and athletic
performance. Study discovers that High School boys performed significantly better in vertical jump, while Madrasah boys
had a significantly higher overall JCR fitness score; Madrasah boys also had a higher average chin-up count, whereas High
School boys had higher average values in height, weight, BMI, and shuttle run, but these differences were not statistically
significant. Bangladesh National School, Madrasa, and Technical Education Sports Association organize winter and
summer sports competitions, giving equal opportunities to all three categories of educational institutions – general schools,
vocational schools, and Madrasahs (Shefali, 2021; Sun, 2022). Participation and success of vocational schools are not
worth mentioning, where as both schools and madrasahs participate actively in competitions; however, success for
madrasahs remains relatively scarce(Hossain, 2018; Musharraf, 2016). In Bangladesh, the sports and physical exercise
teaching contact time between physical education teachers and students in schools and madrasahs is not at a satisfactory
level, almost the same(Shahjalal et al., 2024). Probably, school boys get more facilities for physical activity and sports than
the madrasah boys, despite equal support given from the government; therefore, school boys are better in most variables. It
would not be possible to earn expected prosperity, poorly developing 13.83% of boysin a nation from Madrasahs (SSC
Result 2023, 2023). The government should implement appropriate policies and measures to ensure that all young boys
receive equal opportunities to maintain their health, fostering a fit and healthy nation. This will help reduce national
healthcare costs, improve quality of life, and enable them to reach their full potential in adulthood to serve the country
effectively.
Conclusion
Evidence from the study points to Madrasah boys performing better overall in general fitness as measured by the
JCR test, while High School boys were stronger in vertical jump, which measures leg power. In chin-ups and
shuttle run tests, both groups showed similar performance. This means each group has different strengths in
physical fitness. Educational institutions should implement targeted fitness programs that address specific
strengths and weaknesses of students to improve overall physical health and performance.
Acknowledgements: The researchers gratefully acknowledge the invaluable support of the Education Officers of
Rangpur District, as well as the dedicated Heads of the Schools and Madrasahs. Most importantly, heartfelt
appreciation is extended to the enthusiastic and cooperative students who volunteered their time and effort
during data collection.
Financial support and sponsorship: Nil
Conflicts of interest: There is no conflict of interest to declare.
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