Influence of a Fitness Class on College Students' Health-Related Fitness

Background/Purpose: Research reported a decline in fitness level among college students in the past decade (Pribis, Burtnack, McKenzie, & Thayer, 2010). Previous interventions usually focused on solving this issue from a single perspective (Keating, Guan, Piñero, & Bridges, 2005). Physical Education (PE) or fitness classes address this problem using a comprehensive approach that consists of knowledge, strategy, social support and behavioral interventions essential for enhancing fitness. Limited studies concerning the effects of a fitness course on college students’ fitness level have been reported. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to assess the influence of a college fitness class on college students’ health-related fitness.

Method: Fifty college freshmen (M_age = 19. 20, N_male = 13, N_female =37) from a 4-year southern state university participated in this study. All participants were enrolled in an undergraduate fitness class with two 60-minute classroom meetings and one 45-minute PA session every week. The course covered knowledge in nutrition, fitness, and goal setting strategies for improving fitness. Researchers monitored and provided feedback for participants’ PA schedule and exercise goal achievement throughout the semester. Jump rope, aerobic dance, basketball, aquatic and other activities were organized in weekly PA sessions. Researchers followed Fitnessgram testing protocol to assess participants’ fitness level during the first and the last week of the Fall semester of 2013.

Analysis/Results:  Repeated ANOVA was performed to test the change of fitness level between pre- and post-test. There was a significant increase in PACER test score, F(1, 43) = 59.81, p < .001; estimated VO₂max F(1, 43) = 59.81, p < .001; curl-up score, F(1, 43) = 13.78, p = .001; push-up score, F(1, 43) = 22.70, p < .001; and a significant decrease in estimated body fat percentage, F(1, 43) = 31.94, p < .001. There was none significant result found in sit-and-reach test score, F_left(1, 43) = 3.68, p = .06; F_right(1, 43) = 2.32, p = .14.

Conclusions: The 12-week fitness class increased freshmen’s fitness level in aerobic capacity, muscle endurance and strength, and body composition. Although flexibility improvement need specifically designed training and longer time, it still showed near significant improvement on left side. This study showed an alternative to effectively enhance college students’ fitness.