Reducing Aggression and Improving Physical Fitness in Adolescents Through an After-School Volleyball Program.

Nebojša Trajković,Špela Bogataj,Maja Pajek,Goran Sporiš,Lidija Petrinović

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02081

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of an after-school volleyball program on aggression and physical fitness in 14–16 years old students. One hundred and seven participants were randomized to a small-sided volleyball (SSV) training group or a control group (CON). The SSV group completed 8 months of small-sided volleyball training twice a week after school in addition to the regular physical education classes. Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 test (YYIRT1), medicine ball throw (MED), vertical jump (VJ), and Buss and Perry’s aggression questionnaire were evaluated before and after 8 months of training. Results revealed a significant interaction effect (group × time) in total sample for physical aggression [F(1, 105) = 17.688; p < 0.001], verbal aggression [F(1, 105) = 4.973; p = 0.028], anger [F(1, 105) = 7.662; p = 0.007], medicine ball throw [F(1, 105) = 36.143; p < 0.001], and YYIRT1 [F(1, 105) = 12.508; p = 0.001]. After-school small-sided volleyball for adolescents was accompanied by a significant decrease in aggression compared to physical education classes only. Additionally, adolescents from SSV group showed better results in physical fitness compared to the control group. Our findings significantly contribute to the understanding of possible mechanisms for reducing adolescents’ aggression, which include enjoyment, motivation, and self-control through sport intervention.

Highlights

Active adults have less chronic diseases and lower rates of premature death compared to their inactive counterparts (Bauman, 2004; Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2008)
The major findings were that adolescents from the experimental group after 8 months of after-school volleyball activities, two times per week, reported larger reductions in aggression, in comparison to adolescents from the control group
Concerning adolescents, Trajkovicet al. (2020a) showed a significant decrease in physical aggression among highschool students participating in the 8-month recreational soccer program compared to physical education (PE) classes, which is similar to our results if we look at the total sample

Summary

Introduction

Active adults have less chronic diseases and lower rates of premature death compared to their inactive counterparts (Bauman, 2004; Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2008). The promotion of a healthy and active lifestyle should start in our early life. It is known that childhood and adolescent physical activity influence on adult morbidity and mortality (Hallal et al, 2006). People create their adulthood lifestyle patterns as they go through adolescence (Hallal et al, 2006). Aggressive behavior is one of the main public health concerns among adolescents (Zinatmotlagh et al, 2013).

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Conclusion