Non-Traditional Physical Education Classes Improve High School Students’ Movement Competency and Fitness: A Mixed-Methods Program Evaluation Study

Katie M. Heinrich (), Cassandra M. Beattie, Derek A. Crawford, Peter Stoepker and Jason George
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Katie M. Heinrich: Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
Cassandra M. Beattie: Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
Derek A. Crawford: NDRI-USA, New York, NY 10001, USA
Peter Stoepker: Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
Jason George: Vision Charter School, Caldwell, ID 83605, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 10, 1-12

Abstract: Non-traditional physical education (PE) programs may facilitate functional movement patterns and develop fitness and work capacity to facilitate long-term physical activity. This program evaluation study compared changes in body composition, movement competency, work capacity, and fitness for high school students in CrossFit or weight training PE; both classes were hypothesized to improve each area, with greater improvements in the CrossFit class. Students participated in 57 min classes 4 days per week for 9 months. Measures including body composition, movement competencies (squat, lunge, push-up, pull-up, hinge, and brace), work capacity (two CrossFit workouts), and fitness (air squats, push-ups, inverted row, plank hold, horizontal and vertical jumps, 5 rep max back squat and press, 500 m bike, and 12 min run) were taken at baseline, midpoint, and post-test. Focus groups to assess students’ experiences and outcomes were conducted at post-test. Students significantly improved in movement competencies ( ps = 0.034 to <0.001), work capacity ( ps < 0.001), and all fitness tests ( ps = 0.036 to <0.001). The CrossFit class was only superior on the 500 m bike. Four themes were identified from the focus groups: (1) increased self-confidence, (2) health improvements, (3) newfound community, and (4) translational sports improvements. Future research should examine changes using an experimental design.

Keywords: CrossFit; weight training; physical education; physical literacy; muscular endurance; strength; aerobic capacity; high-intensity functional training (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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