Home quarantine - based rhythmic exercises: new fitness assessment and intervention in teaching physical education

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. The COVID – 19 pandemic has post threats on the physical and mental fitness of the people. Thus, the study determined the effectiveness of home quarantine - based rhythmic exercises to the fitness level of the university students in physical education. Material and Methods. University students were the participants of the study. 200 student populations who were taking physical education subject in the year 2020 were considered. Quasi – experimental research design was employed and 96 participants between the age bracket of 18 - 26 (74 females & 22 males) were chosen using simple random sampling in determining the population size of the study. SPSS program was used in the analysis in the obtained data. Results. The result shown that there is a significant difference between the pre – test and post – test results in the fitness level of the participants in body mass index (T= -3.482, p < .001), cardiovascular endurance (T= -4.193, p < .000), flexibility (T= -6.279, p <.000), muscular endurance (T= -9.553, p <.000), and muscular strength (T= -7.569, p < .000) performing the home quarantine-based rhythmic exercises. Conclusion. Further, it is concluded that engaging in two (2) months home quarantine – based rhythmic exercises from 30 minutes to 1 hour with moderate to vigorous intensity augment the physical fitness level of an individual. Moreover, it is recommended to put vision accounts in strengthening the inclusion of home quarantine - based rhythmic exercises in teaching physical education either in synchronous and asynchronous in teaching – learning process.