Physical Fitness Levels of University Physical Education Teacher Education Majors

Abstract

There is growing concern over overweight and obesity among college students. New accreditation standards are attempting to ensure that physical education teacher education (PETE) majors maintain healthy fitness standards for graduation. Meeting these standards would prepare the students to be a positive role model by exhibiting a healthy lifestyle to the younger children in their classroom. PURPOSE: To provide descriptive data on the current fitness levels of PETE majors and assess associations between fitness and student lifestyle factors. METHODS: Seventy-nine PETE majors (22.5+3.8 years of age) at Towson University completed the FITNESSGRAM fitness tests, including aerobic (PACER test), muscular strength and endurance (curl-up and push-up), flexibility (sit-and-reach), and body mass index. Students were categorized according to their results as unacceptable, acceptable, or target using the categories provided by the program. A questionnaire was administered about basic lifestyle factors. RESULTS: The percentage of students who were in the acceptable and target range for the aerobic, curl-up, push-up, flexibility, and BMI categories were 55.7%, 96.2%, 89.9%, 82.3% and 79.5% respectively. Gender was associated with pushup category (p=0.007; r=-0.3), females tending to have better muscular fitness than males. BMI was related to aerobic fitness (p=0.004; r=-0.33), number of hours worked in a job outside of school (p=0.03; r=0.24), and gender (p=0.018; r=-0.33). There was no relationship between any fitness results and grade level, residential status, or hours of sleep per night. CONCLUSION: Emphasis in university physical education teacher education programs may need to be placed on increasing the aerobic fitness level of their student majors. Consideration needs to be taken for those who work outside of school in trying to find strategies to increase their overall health.