PHYSICAL FITNESS VARIABLES REQUIRED FOR PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS

Abstract

This study undertaken to identify which physical fitness variables are involved while pre-service primary teachers (PSPT) perform their teaching-learning activity. A qualitative research approach was adopted in this study. Ten classes of PSPT were observed during their internship program. During observations it was documented that PSPT were unknowingly engaged themselves in different physical movements such as- sit-ups, bending, squatting, sitting, standing, sitting on toes, hand raise, walking, dancing movements, and neck movements etc. All of these physical movements everyone performs on regular basis but with quite less frequency and intensity. Those who engaged in teaching-learning process have to do these movements in higher frequency and intensity as observed by the investigator. Consequences of increased frequency and intensity of these movements are physical and mental fatigue which subsequently hampers the performance of PSPT. As every movement is associated with different physical fitness variables, thus a matching exercise with consultation of experts was performed. The most dominant variables were identified as- strength endurance of legs, shoulders, back and calf; flexibility of hip, cervical, spine and shoulders; and coordination of leg & hand. Article visualizations: