PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES ONLY IMPROVE CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS OF STUDENTS WITH LOWER PHYSICAL FITNESS: A CONTROLLED INTERVENTION STUDY

Introduction: physical education teachers are required to carry out intervention programs in order to improve students' cardiorespiratory fitness levels. Nevertheless, due to the low academic load, such programs may not improve cardiorespiratory fitness of students with higher baseline levels. Objectives: the purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of a physical fitness program conducted during the two physical education classes on the cardiorespiratory fitness depending on the students' physical fitness baseline levels. Methods: a sample of 71 primary school students and 107 secondary school students was randomly assigned (by natural groups) to the control and experimental groups. During physical education classes, experimental students performed a physical fitness program. Results: the analysis of variance results showed that the experimental students with lower physical fitness levels improved statistically significantly their cardiorespiratory fitness comparing with control students (p < 0.01). However, no statistically significant differences between the experimental students with higher levels and control students were found (p > 0.05). Conclusions: during physical education classes, only students with lower physical fitness levels seem to improve cardiorespiratory fitness. On the other hand, students with higher physical fitness levels do not benefit from these physical education-based programs. Therefore, in order to improve cardiorespiratory fitness of all young people, it seems necessary to increase the academic load of the physical education subject.