The Effects of Health Class Activities for Elementary Students on Body Composition and Physical Fitness

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of health class activities for elementary students on body composition and physical fitness and to provide fundamental data essential for devising suitable exercise programs for them. A total of 18 participants with body mass index of 20% or more(mild obesity) from J Elementary School in G Metropolitan City were selected for this study. The effects of health class activities over a 12-week period on body composition and physical fitness were analyzed. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0. Descriptive statistics were employed to calculate the mean and standard deviation(SD) of the results for the body composition and fitness measures. Paired samples t-test analysis was utilized to compare differences in body composition and fitness measures before and after participation in the exercise program. The significance level (α) was set at 0.05 for all statistical tests. The following study conclusions were drawn.BRThe health class exercise program(combined exercise) showed significant differences in body weight(kg), skeletal muscle mass(kg), lean body mass(kg), body fat mass(kg), body fat percentage(%), and basal metabolism rate among all groups.BRThe health class exercise program(combined exercise) showed significant differences in strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, quickness, and balance among all groups.BRIn conclusion, the study revealed that the health class exercise program aimed at elementary students can enhance their body composition, prevent obesity, and improve overall health fitness. Hence, to safeguard the physical well-being of elementary students, it is recommended to devise tailored health and exercise programs. These programs should assess and verify students