Promoting Health-Related Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Physical Education: The Role of Class Intensity and Habitual Physical Activity

Abstract

Physical education (PE) has the potential to promote health-related fitness, however, its contribution is still not clear. The aim of this study was to assess whether students’ health-related cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) improved from the beginning to the end of the school year, and to examine the role of PE class intensity and habitual physical activity (PA) in promoting students’ CRF. This observational study employed a longitudinal design. Participants were 212 7th and 8th grade students (105 boys), mean age 12.9 years old, followed during one school year, from September 2017 to June 2018. The Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) was used to assess CRF at baseline and follow-up. PA was measured using accelerometers. PE class intensity was assessed using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time. Findings indicated that from the beginning to the end of the school year, a greater percentage of participants were in the CRF healthy fitness zone (73.1% to 79.7%, p = 0.022). Among boys, participating in organized sports (B = 4.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33, 8.88) and the percentage of PE time being very active (B = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.44, 1.35) were positively associated with the change in PACER laps. Among girls, daily vigorous PA (B = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.60) and participating in organized sports (B = 4.10, 95% CI: 0.93, 7.27) were also positively associated with PACER change, while being overweight or obese (B = −5.11, 95% CI: −8.28, −1.93) was negatively associated. In conclusion, PE was demonstrated to have a positive role in the promotion of CRF, especially among boys, while for girls, habitual PA seems to have a greater contribution. Nevertheless, results and conclusions should be considered carefully, taking into account study limitations, such as the non-direct measures of PE class intensity, CRF, and school setting.

Effects of rope skipping exercise on working memory and cardiorespiratory fitness in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

“…This experimental result is in line with the findings of Miguel et al. ( 51 ), which showed a positive correlation between participation in organized sports and changes in Pacer (laps). The 8-week RSE participated in by the AWRSE in this study had strict requirements for practice and rest time, which is a more organized form of exercise compared to SG.…”

“…Furthermore, there were no significant inter-group differences in Pacer (laps) and VO 2 max after the intervention among the three groups of children, the AWRSE showing a more significant improvement in Pacer, closer to the level of TD children. This experimental result is in line with the findings of Miguel et al (51), which showed a positive correlation between participation in organized sports and changes in Pacer (laps). The 8-week RSE participated in by the AWRSE in this study had strict requirements for practice and rest time, which is a more organized form of exercise compared to SG.…”

Can physical education state policies impact on youth’s health behaviors? A natural experiment study

“…Physical education (PE) class is a key component for promoting health-related behaviors among youth. During the past decades, evidence has accumulated on the positivie association between PE and several outcomes, such as motor skills development 1 , physical fitness 2 , improvement in daily physical activity 3 , health percep-tion and nutrition 4 . In addition, participation in PE class can improve cognitive and academic skills 5 , positive attitude 3,6 and health behaviors 3 .…”

Aging and Possible Benefits or Negatives of Lifelong Endurance Running: How Master Male Athletes Differ from Young Athletes and Elderly Sedentary?

“…In endurance sports, the physical fitness changes are evaluated mainly by cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) testing. The CRF reflects the overall capacity of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems [ 7 ], which is measured, for instance, through maximal or peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 max). CRF could be assessed by various parameters, however, the VO 2 max is considered as a golden standard [ 8 ].…”