Longitudinal Associations Between Enjoyment of Physical Education, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Muscular Fitness Among Finnish Adolescents
Costigan, S., Gråstén, A., Huhtiniemi, M., Kolunsarka, I., Lubans, David R., & Jaakkola, T. (2024). Longitudinal Associations Between Enjoyment of Physical Education, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Muscular Fitness Among Finnish Adolescents. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 34(6), Article e14678. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14678
Authors
Date
2024Copyright
© 2024 the Authors
Introduction
Students' experiences in physical education (PE) can shape future physical activity (PA) behaviors. PE enjoyment is associated with PA; however, the relationship between PE enjoyment and fitness has not been extensively investigated. The aim of this study was to examine if changes in PE enjoyment were associated with changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscular fitness (MF) among Finnish adolescents.
Methods
Study participants were students (n = 1147; 11.27 [±0.32] years at baseline) attending public schools in Finland. Data were collected yearly (2017–2021). The 20 m shuttle run assessed CRF, curl-up/push-up tests assessed MF, and the enjoyment subscale of the Sport Commitment Questionnaire-2 measured PE enjoyment. The random intercept cross-lagged panel model, including repeated measures (within-level) and latent levels (between-level) of PE enjoyment, CRF and MF, was tested. Sex, body mass index, moderate to vigorous PA, and peak height velocity were included as covariates in the analysis.
Results
Over 5 years, PE enjoyment decreased, CRF increased until Timepoint 3, and MF remained stable. Positive associations between PE enjoyment and fitness were observed, indicating the greater the PE enjoyment, the higher the fitness. For PE enjoyment, CRF and MF repeated measures were positively associated with measurement of the next year. PE enjoyment was positively related to CRF and MF the years thereafter.
Conclusion
Our findings highlight the importance of quality PE experiences for enjoyment and fitness gains during the transition from primary to secondary school. These findings are important given youth fitness levels are associated with future health status.
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WileyISSN Search the Publication Forum
0905-7188Keywords
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https://converis.jyu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/220748629
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- Liikuntatieteiden tiedekunta [3259]
Related funder(s)
Research Council of FinlandFunding program(s)
Strategic research programmes, AoFAdditional information about funding
This study was supported by the Finnish Ministry of Culture and Education. This study was prepared within the project SchoolWell, funded by the Strategic Research Council within the Academy of Finland (grant number 352512).License
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