Effects of specialized physical education classes and handball training on health-related physical fitness in adolescent girls

Abstract

To identify the effects of an intervention in Physical Education classes and handball training on health-related physical fitness in adolescent girls. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study with 26 girls (10 to 16 years old). Girls who reached 75% of participation in handball training (HT) (n= 12) composed the HT group. Girls who played only during Physical Education composed the PE group (n=14). Waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), abdominal strength (ABDS), and flexibility were evaluated using PROESP-Br procedures. The delta of glass (DGlass) was adopted as the measure of the effectiveness of these analyses. Results: The girls involved in HT reduced WC and increased CRF, ABDS, and flexibility with large effect sizes (33% to 75% of individual improvements). We observed fewer improvements in the PE group, with a variation of 14% to 35% of positive effects. Conclusion: The HT in after-class time together Physical Education classes provide improvements until 75% in the physical fitness of adolescent girls. In another way, Physical Education classes also provided these effects; however, it was in a minor proportion of about 35%.

Pre-Pandemic Cardiorespiratory Fitness Levels Predicts Health-Related Quality of Life in Children at Post-Pandemic Covid-19 Social Distancing

“…The present study highlights a possible way to elaborate interventive solutions or minimize poor children's quality of life, these practices should be related to health promotion considering CRF as a primary factor in the purpose (8,10). Additionally, the focus on developing physical fitness is a necessity because it is a powerful health indicator (5).…”

“…For example, a study proposed physical exercises at home to improve physical fitness and, when practiced in adequate amounts, are really capable of increasing physical conditioning. However, the routine and maintenance of exercises at home can be easily affected by psychological and motivational status (10,22,32,33).…”

“…The link between these research results with the present study evidence is that children with more CRF in pre-pandemic were those more protected regarding all impairments caused by social distancing health problems. Thus, interventions are important in this context, mainly sports proposes because the main effects on the health of girls and boys are reached by increased CRF and general physical fitness (8,10,11,50,51).…”

“…Besides, CRF is inversely associated with cardiometabolic risk factors, such as type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, muscular and bone health decreasing, and cardiovascular diseases (5,7). Thus, understanding how physical fitness and HQoL are associated may help to develop intervention strategies that promote health of children and youth in the post pandemic period, highlighting the school setting as an important target (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13).…”