Muscular Strength Assessment of Students Enrolled in Measurement and Evaluation in Physical Education at Benguet State University

Muscular strength is an essential component of physical fitness that contributes to functional performance and overall health. This study assessed the muscular strength performance of students enrolled in Measurement and Evaluation in Physical Education at Benguet State University, focusing on differences between male and female students in upper-body, core, and lower-body strength. A descriptive-comparative research design was employed involving 28 students, comprising 12 males and 16 females. Data were collected through Google Forms and field-based muscular strength assessments adapted from established fitness testing protocols, including the trunk lift, one-minute push-up, seven-stage abdominal strength, and leg strength tests. Frequency counts and percentages were used to describe respondents' demographic characteristics and muscular strength performance. Findings revealed that 71.43% of respondents had a normal body mass index. Male students demonstrated higher proportions of excellent ratings in upper-body strength (58.33%) and core strength (16.67%) compared with female students (37.50% and 6.25%, respectively). Conversely, female students achieved a higher proportion of excellent ratings in lower-body strength (87.50%) than male students (66.66%). These findings indicated variations in muscular strength performance across body regions and between male and female respondents. The study concluded that muscular strength profiles differed according to the assessed muscle groups, with males demonstrating more favorable upper-body and core strength classifications and females achieving better lower-body classifications. The findings provide a basis for developing balanced physical education activities and targeted strength-conditioning programs that address students' identified fitness needs.