Impact of a Physical Education Curriculum on Fitness Levels of High School Girls
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2009-12
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Masters of Education
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of participation in fitness components of the Baltimore County Physical Education curriculum on four fitness criteria of 29 female high school students. This study used a single group, pre-post test design. The independent variable was physical activity. Physical activities were varied in intensity, difficulty, length and type. The dependent variable was fitness level measured by the FITNESSGRAM tests of muscular endurance, muscular strength, body composition and cardiovascular fitness. Results showed that participants’ fitness levels did improve significantly on each test; however, scores did not improve enough to put all students into the healthy fitness zone for each test. The analysis showed a significant decrease in body composition, t(24) = 6.31, p < .05. The curl-up scores increased significantly with the daily use of muscular endurance exercises, t(24) = -4.85, p < .05. There was a significant increase in upper body strength after the participation in muscle-specific exercise, t(23) = -6.15, p < .05. The analysis of the pacer test revealed a significant improvement, t(24) = -8.49, p < .05. There are many factors that play into fitness scores; for a more reliable recording a longer trial period may show more significance in findings.