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ERIC Number: EJ1205423
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2160-1682
EISSN: N/A
Examining the Relationship between High School Physical Education and Fitness Outcomes in College Students
Burner, Allison; Bopp, Melissa; Papalia, Zack; Weimer, Alison; Bopp, Christopher M.
Physical Educator, v76 n1 p285-300 2019
The decline in physical activity (PA) from youth to young adulthood is evident, though limited research has addressed whether specific factors of K-12 physical education (PE) have any influence on outcomes during college years. This study examined the relationship between college students' physical fitness and PA behavior and their high school PE experiences. College student volunteers (n = 537) completed a fitness assessment examining aerobic endurance, muscular endurance, body composition, and blood glucose and lipids. A survey examined current PA and PE experience in high school (number of semesters, enjoyment, requirements). Analyses were conducted separately for males and females. Pearson correlations examined relationships between fitness, behavioral, and PE outcomes. Differences in behavioral and fitness outcomes were compared with "t" tests. The final sample was 56.6% male (n = 298) and 43.4% female (n = 227). For males, analyses revealed that PE enjoyment was significantly related to VO[subscript 2] max, curl-ups, and vigorous physical activity. Number of semesters of PE in high school was negatively associated with triglycerides and total cholesterol and positively associated with moderate physical activity. Those who took PE when it was not required were more vigorously active than those who did not. Males who had a waiver for PE had a lower body fat percentage, performed more curl-ups, and were more vigorously and moderately active compared with those who had no waiver. Number of semesters of PE in high school was negatively associated with triglycerides and total cholesterol. PE enjoyment was positively associated with VO[subscript 2] max and push-ups. For females, those who took PE when it wasn't required had a higher VO[subscript 2] max and vigorous physical activity compared with those who did not. Females with a waiver for PE class had higher triglycerides and total cholesterol compared with those who did not. Females in a coed PE class had a higher BMI and VO[subscript 2] max compared with those in a combination class. Effective PE programs that encourage participation and educate students on the benefits of physical activity have the capability to establish lifelong healthy and active habits that translate to the college years, and likely beyond. The main findings of this study have the potential to influence the policies regarding PE requirements for school-aged students in all states, such as possibly increasing PE requirements for all grades and discovering certain aspects of PE that could make it more enjoyable for a larger number of students.
Sagamore-Venture. 1807 North Federal Drive, Urbana, IL 61801. Tel: 800-327-5557; Tel: 217-359-5940; Fax: 217-359-5975. Web site: https://www.sagamorepub.com/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Pennsylvania
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A