CLASS-INTEGRATED FITNESS TRAINING AND HEALTH-RELATED FITNESS IN STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FINANCE - MARKETING

Le Huu Trieu

Abstract


This study examined the effects of an integrated physical fitness program embedded within Physical Education classes on selected health-related fitness components among students at the University of Finance - Marketing. A quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design was employed with 80 first-year students, including 40 students in the experimental group and 40 in the control group. Both groups participated in regular Physical Education classes twice per week for 10 weeks, while the experimental group additionally completed a brief circuit-based fitness routine consisting of jumping jacks, bodyweight squats, push-ups, and plank exercises. Three health-related fitness components were assessed before and after the intervention, including cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, and muscular strength. The results showed that the experimental group achieved greater improvements than the control group across all variables. Cardiovascular endurance increased from 32.45 ± 4.21 to 38.70 ± 4.56 laps in the experimental group, compared with an increase from 32.10 ± 4.08 to 34.05 ± 4.19 laps in the control group. Flexibility improved from 20.35 ± 5.12 cm to 25.82 ± 4.88 cm in the experimental group, whereas the control group improved from 20.02 ± 5.06 cm to 21.43 ± 4.91 cm. Muscular strength rose from 18.60 ± 4.32 to 22.48 ± 4.41 repetitions in the experimental group, while the control group increased from 18.25 ± 4.11 to 19.63 ± 4.07 repetitions. After controlling for pre-test scores, ANCOVA results indicated significant between-group differences in cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, and muscular strength. These findings suggest that integrating a short and structured physical fitness circuit into regular university Physical Education classes may be an effective and feasible strategy for improving students' health-related fitness.

Keywords


Physical Education; university students; health-related fitness; cardiovascular endurance; flexibility; muscular strength; intervention program

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejpe.v13i3.6692

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