The Effects of an Integrated Physical Education Program on Enhancing University Students’ Physical Fitness: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Introduction. With rising sedentary behaviors among university students, enhancing physical fitness is imperative. This study evaluates the efficacy of an integrated physical education program designed to improve comprehensive fitness levels. Material and methods. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 589 undergraduate students (aged 18-19) at An Giang University, Vietnam. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group, which engaged in a structured physical education program – comprising two 120-minute sessions per week over two consecutive 15-week semesters based on periodization principles – or to a control group following the standard curriculum. Fitness was evaluated using standardized tests including dominant hand grip strength (kg), 30-second sit-up test (repetitions), standing long jump (cm), 30 m sprint (s) from a high-start position, 4×10 m shuttle run (s), 5-minute maximum run (m), sit-and-reach test (cm). Results. Post-intervention analysis revealed that the experimental group achieved statistically significant improvements (p < 0.01) in all fitness parameters relative to the control group. Both male and female students demonstrated marked enhancements in muscular strength, speed, and endurance. Conclusions. The integrated physical education program effectively enhanced the physical fitness indices of university students. These findings support the adoption of systematic, periodized training interventions in higher education settings to promote overall student health and academic performance.