The Effect of Different Physical Education Class Hours Applied in Secondary Education on Certain Physiological and Physical Parameters

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of different physical education lesson hours applied to secondary school students on some physical and physiological parameters. A total of 36 secondary school students voluntarily participated in the study: respectively, 18 from Group 1 and 18 from Group 2 (age: 14.94±0.41 / 14±0.34 years; height: 175.22±7.62 / 169.33±6.95 cm; weight: 61.95±9.07 / 56.83±6.33 kg). While Group 1 students received 8 hours of physical education lessons per week, Group 2 students were given 2 hours of physical education lessons according to the Ministry of National Education curriculum. Body weight (kg) and body fat percentage (%) were determined using the Inbody 270 professional body analysis device. A portable dynamic balance device was used to determine the students’ balance. The test results were analyzed using the SPSS Statistics software. Non-parametric tests were employed since the data did not show a normal distribution. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to test the significance of the difference in balance and body fat percentage (BFP) level averages between the two independent groups. Upon evaluating our data, it was statistically ascertained that the dynamic balance (Balance) values of Group 1 secondary school students were significantly higher when compared to Group 2 students. However, no statistically significant difference was found in body fat percentage (BFP) values between Group 1 and Group 2. As a result, it is seen that increasing physical education lesson hours in secondary education contributes to some physical development of young individuals.