Effects of two physical education programs on children's health-related physical fitness according to sex

Abstract

This quasi-experimental study evaluated the effects of two physical exercise programs offered in the context of physical education classes on physical fitness indicators. The convenience sample consisted of 91 students aged 9-12 years who formed the group's Body Training (GBT; 45 students) and Physical Education (PE; 45 students). Body mass index (BMI), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), flexibility, and localized muscle strength (LMS) were measured. The “Paired t-test” and repeated measures ANOVA were used. The size of the effect was estimated by the “partial squared eta”, stratified by sex, with a 5% probability of an error being accepted. The results showed in boys a very high effect in the PFC group on CRF, flexibility, and FML and a high effect in the PEF group on flexibility and FML. In girls, a very high effect in the GBT group on CRF, flexibility, and FML, and the PE group greatly affected flexibility and FML and had a high effect on CRF. There was no effect on BMI in either group. We emphasize that this single weekly meeting (15 minutes of GBT) was able to have a very high and high effect on fitness in favor of the GBT in both genders.