L.N.I.P.E., Gwalior, M.P., India ISBN: 978-81-7524-743-7 Proceedings of National Conference on Physical Education and Sports Sciences, 30th-31st Jan 2014 ACTIVE SCHOOL GOING FEMALE STUDENTS OF KERALA DOMINATES THEIR COUNTERPART RESIDING IN WEST BENGAL ON HEALTH RELATED PHYSICAL FITNESS Supriyo Mondal *, Dr. Ashok Kumar Goon ** & Jils Varghese *** *Ph.D. Scholar, L.N.I.P.E, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Email: supriyomondal25@gmail.com **Associate Professor, HOD, Dept. of Physical Education, Visva Bharati, WB. ***Assistant Professor, Bishop Moore College, Mavelikara, Kerala. Email: justforjils@gmail.com Abstract The scholars conducted the study with the intension of comparing selected health related fitness variables in active school going female students of Kerala and West Bengal. The variables selected were endurance, strength and flexibility. 56 female participants aging 14 year to 16 year who were actively involved in physical activities were selected. Among these 28 belonged to government schools of Kerala and rest 28 belonged to government schools of West Bengal. Descriptive Statistics and Independent‘t’ test were employed using IBM SPSS-17 Software. Findings suggest that the female students belonging to Kerala were in higher side of fitness in respect to endurance and strength. However in flexibility both groups had similar status. Key words: Endurance, Strength, Flexibility, Female School Students, Kerala, West Bengal. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Introduction Human body is a gift by nature. Life in the computer age is not less than the blessing of God. Scientific discoveries have changed the entire face of our planet. It has changed the thorny life into the bed of roses. Good health provides sound and solid foundation on which fitness rests and at the same time fitness provides one of the most important key to health and living one’s life to fullest. The negative effects of degraded physical fitness on both the individual and society are serious and multi- dimensional. It can cause many risk factors to heath including coronary heart disease, certain forms of cancer, hypertension, respiratory problems, and each associated with increases in all cause mortality (Cataldo 1999). Low levels of physical activity and cardio-respiratory fitness are both associated with higher risk of all cause and disease specific mortality (Thune et al. 1998). Schools have the potential to improve the health of young people by providing instruction in physical education that promotes enjoyable lifelong physical activity. Diseases and health problem resulting from an inactive lifestyle have their origins early in life. This is when an active life style should be established. Fitness begins at birth and should continue throughout a person’s life. Fitness improves general health and it is essential for full and vigorous living. The physically fit child feels more alert and