P-6 Effect of eight weeks basketball and swimming on health-related fitness of male university students

Background and Study Aim. Few controlled studies have been conducted on the effect of sports games as a physical education (PE) course on the health-related fitness of university students. The aim of the study was to determine whether three sports in a PE course will help improve the health-related fitness of male university students. Material and Methods. Students from two universities participated in the study, with one university acting as a control group. There were two PE courses which students registered for: a football and volleyball (FVG, n=169) course and a badminton (BG, n=97) course. The students received basic training drills and competed with one another. The duration of the activities was 50 minutes sessions for eight weeks. The following tests were taken before and after eight weeks: Cooper test, sit-and-reach test, 60-s curl test, standing long jump test, and body mass index. Paired t-tests were used to compare the baseline and post data of each group. The Welch t-test, ANCOVA, and analysis of gains scores were used to compare each of the PE groups to the control group. ANCOVA was used to account for baseline differences, while analysis of gains scores was used whenever ANCOVA could not be used. The Vargha-Delaney Effect Size (VD) and the Common Language Effect Size (CLES) were used to determine the effect sizes for the Welch t-tests and ANCOVA, respectively. Significant changes were set at p ≤ 0.05 and VD ≤ 42% or VD ≥ 58%, or if p ≤ 0.05 and CLES ≥ 58 %. Results. Both PE groups showed significant improvements in all the measured fitness parameters except body composition. Moreover, the measured parameters of the control group reduced after eight weeks. Conclusion. The study shows evidence that PE courses can serve male universities in improving their health-related fitness. Moreover, students who do not participate in a PE course may be at risk of losing their fitness.

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Can eight weeks of judo and taekwondo physical education improve the health-related fitness of male university students?

Physical Education of Students ◽

10.15561/20755279.2020.0206 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 109-114

Author(s):

Mohammed H.H. Mohammed ◽

Hong J. Choi

Keyword(s):

Physical Education ◽

University Students ◽

Cardiovascular Fitness ◽

Control Group ◽

Muscular Endurance ◽

Health Related ◽

Fitness Parameters ◽

Male University Students ◽

Trunk Flexibility ◽

Health Related Fitness

Background and Study Aim: This study aimed to determine if Judo and Taekwondo in a physical education (PE) setting could improve the fitness of university students. Material and Methods: Students who registered voluntarily for the courses were considered for the study (n=27, 18-22 years for Judo; n=39, 18-22 years for Taekwondo). The control group (n=32, 20-24 years) was composed of students who were not part of a physical education course. None of the participants were college athletes nor PE students. The duration of the courses was eight weeks, twice a week with 50 minutes per session. Both courses included training for muscular fitness, flexibility, explosive strength, and cardiovascular fitness. The courses also included sparring matches and sport-specific training. The following health-related fitness parameters were measured before and after eight weeks: cardiovascular fitness using the Cooper Test, muscular endurance using 60 seconds curl-up test, trunk flexibility using the sit-and-reach test, and explosive leg strength using the standing long jump test. Parametric tests were applied to detect any effect of the courses on the students. Differences with p ≤ 0.05 and Vargha-Delaney Common language effect size (VD) ≤ 42% or ≥ 58% were considered as evidence for any improvements in the fitness parameters. Results: Most of the tested parameters, apart from body composition, improved in both martial arts groups while those of the control group dropped. These changes were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05 and VD ≤ 42% or ≥ 58%). The regular curl-ups and sitting stretch done during the eight weeks improved the muscular endurance and trunk flexibility of the Judo group, respectively. Moreover, continuous practice of the rolling/falling technique may have contributed to the improvement in flexibility of the Judo students. Conclusions: There is evidence that eight weeks of Judo and Taekwondo in a PE context improves the health-related fitness of male university students.

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A Comparison of Aerobic Dance and Zumba Fitness on the Health-related Fitness in Female University Students

Health Behavior and Policy Review ◽

10.14485/hbpr.8.1.9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Panuwat Wachirathanin ◽

Sonthaya Sriramatr ◽

Supaporn Silalertdetkul

Keyword(s):

Muscle Strength ◽

University Students ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Groups ◽

Aerobic Dance ◽

Health Related ◽

And Control ◽

Cardiorespiratory Endurance ◽

Health Related Fitness

Objective: In this study, we compared the effects of aerobic dance (continuous exercise) and Zumba fitness (intermittent exercise) on the health-related fitness of female university students. Methods: Overall, 54 healthy female volunteers (18.45 + 0.49 years old) were assigned to an aerobic dance group, a Zumba fitness dance group, or a control group. Results: We found that the Zumba fitness group had more muscle strength and endurance than the aerobic and control groups (all ps < .05). Likewise, the Zumba fitness group had a lower percentage of fat than the aerobic and control groups (p < .05), but there was no such difference between the aerobic and control groups. In addition, there was no statistically significant differences among aerobic dance, Zumba fitness, and control groups for flexibility and cardiorespiratory endurance. However, both aerobic and Zumba exercises can reduce the percentage of body fat and are able to strengthen cardiorespiratory endurance (p <.05). Conclusions: Among female students, Zumba fitness can develop muscle strength and endurance and fat percentage better than aerobic dance, but not necessarily improve their development of cardiorespiratory endurance and flexibility. These results are useful for enhancing exercise activities in early adulthood.

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