Physical Education in Chile: duration and its influence on physical condition, body composition, and level of physical activity in schoolchildren

Physical education classes are an ideal instance to maintain and improve students' health status. However, it is necessary to know the differences in the number of hours scheduled. Objective: To determine the influence that the allocation of two or four hours of Physical Education per week has on body composition, physical condition, and level of physical activity in schoolchildren. Method: a total of 244 students of 13.11 +/- .84 years of age were evaluated. Anthropometric variables, physical condition, and level of physical activity were measured during Physical Education classes. Results: Significant differences were found for body composition (weight p = .0367), physical condition (VO2max p<.0001, dynamometry p=.0165) and level of physical activity (p<.0001). Based on gender, significant differences between boys and girls were detected in the physical fitness variables (VO2max p<.0001, horizontal jump p<.0001, and dynamometry p<.0002) and in time in sedentary (p=.0403) and light physical activity (p<.0001). Conclusion: Weight, VO2max, and levels of moderate and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity are positively modified when performing four hours. In addition, it is concluded that boys are more physically active than girls and have a better physical condition. Boys and girls with higher BMI and BMIZ-score values have lower physical condition.