Date of Award
11-1979
Culminating Project Type
Thesis
Department
Kinesiology
College
School of Health and Human Services
First Advisor
John Kasper
Second Advisor
Robert Waxlax
Third Advisor
Lowell Mortrude
Keywords and Subject Headings
Elementary Physical Education, Comparisum of Exercise Programs, Heart Rate, Cardiovascular fitness, Circuit training
Abstract
PROBLEM
It was the purpose of this study to explore three different sixth grade elementary exercise programs and determine which program would promote the highest level of physical fitness. Also, to find which exercise programs contributed to cardiovascular fitness as measured by resting heart rate and to find which programs significantly improved AAHPER Youth Fitness Test scores within a six week time period.
PROCEDURE
Three sixth grade classes at Kimball Elementary Public School were randomly placed in a fitness exercise program for a six week period. Pre fitness test scores were taken and recorded and a group mean fitness score and pre resting heart rate was then determined. The first class was placed in Group I, the circuit training exercise program; the second class was placed in Group II, the running and flexibility exercise program; and the third class was placed in Group III, the standardized exercise program. Each group performed a specified set of exercises three days per week for six weeks. Post fitness test scores were then taken and recorded along with post resting heart rate. Pre and post test scores were then compared by use of the t-test to determine significant differences. Also, pre and post resting heart rate were compared to determine significant values. Each program was then compared to one another to determine which exercise program proved to have the most substantial gain in improving physical fitness levels and resting heart rate.
FINDINGS
This study indicated that the standardized exercise program, Group III, along with various forms of running, significantly improved fitness levels by .001 level of confidence. Also, this group indicated a lower post mean resting heart rate by .05 level of confidence. Significant improvement was indicated in four of the six tests given.
The circuit training exercise program, Group I, indicated an improvement of physical fitness level by .03 level of significance. Resting heart rate was not improved by significant values. Group I improved significantly in three of the six tests given.
The running and flexibility exercise program, Group II, indicated the least improvement in fitness levels and resting heart rate. There was no indication of significant improvement in physical fitness level nor in resting heart rate. However, there was significant improvement in four of the six tests given.
CONCLUSIONS
Through this study it may be concluded that the standardized fitness exercise program, Group III, proved to have a substantial gain over two other exercise programs in improving physical fitness and lowering resting heart rate in a six week time period. It shall also be noted that all three programs increased physical fitness levels over a six week time period and that improvement of five of the six tests given was indicated when group mean values were combined from all three exercise programs.
Recommended Citation
Isberner, Bradley J., "A Study of the Effects of Three Elementary Physical Education Exercise Programs in Relationship to Physical Fitness and Heart Rate of Sixth Grade Students" (1979). Culminating Projects in Kinesiology. 39.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/pess_etds/39
