Association Between Participation in High School Physical Education and Physical Fitness in Young Men

摘要

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between participation in high school physical education and performance on a fitness test among recent high school graduates. A questionnaire was administered to 1, 633 male Marine Corps recruits (ages 17-21 years, M= 18.7, SD = 0.96) in San Diego, California, between September and November 2002. Items included a variety of behaviors including years of participation in high school physical education classes. A logistic regression model assessed items associated with failing a physical fitness test prior to recruit training. Participation in 2 or fewer years of high school physical education was associated with not passing the fitness test (odds ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval =1.2-1.9) after controlling for breakfast habits, weight gain supplementation, tobacco smoking, age, race/ethnicity, and body mass index. Participation in high school physical education appears to be independently associated with physical fitness in young men. Further study is needed to answer questions regarding optimal frequency and duration of physical activity programs for high school-aged students.