The Effects of Using Fitness Journaling with GPS Technology on Middle School Adolescents to Increase Cardiovascular Endurance

Author/Creator

Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2013-07

Department

Program

Masters of Education

Citation of Original Publication

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of using fitness journaling in association with GPS technology to monitor speed and distance traveled on middle school students’ cardiovascular endurance. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was used for this study. The treatment group used GPS receivers to track and set goals which they recorded and monitored in fitness journals. The control group used the technology but did not participate in the fitness journaling activities. Cardiovascular fitness was assessed in terms of the number of laps completed using the FITNESSGRAM PACER test before and after the intervention. Analyses were conducted on data from 14 students in the treatment group (8 males and 6 females) and 19 in the control group (8 males and 11 females). The null hypothesis that participation in goal setting through fitness journaling in conjunction with using data from a GPS receiver would result in equivalent PACER test results compared to a group using only the GPS technology was rejected, as the mean PACER test results of the group which used journals to track fitness results were significantly higher than those of the control group. In fact, the treatment group made small gains on the PACER while the control group’s results actually decreased over the intervention period. Recommendations for future research include using a larger sample, using random selection to identify participants, using alternate technologies to measure fitness outcomes, and investigating the effects of changing students’ perception of the PACER test. This study and similar follow-up research may have positive consequences for students’ health and development. Developing effective fitness applications for technology towards which students are receptive may extend their fitness practices into adulthood and improve their long-term health.