EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES ON BODY COMPOSITION AND MUSCULAR FITNESS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

It is well known that regular physical activity can induce changes in body composition and overall body power of skeletal muscles. Aim of the study was to evaluate effects of regular physical education classes on changes in body composition and muscular fitness in primary school children. Overall 38 school age male and female children (age: 13 +/- 0.34 years; weight: 49.74 +/- 9.07 kg; height: 157 +/- 10.36 cm) performed regular physical education classes for 90 min per week (for 8 weeks). Results suggest that significant change occurred in body weight (increase p<0.001), fat free mass (increase p<0.05) jump height and flight time (p<0.001). Male subjects significantly achieved better jump height results compared the female participants (p<0001). Regular physical education classes can cause increase in muscle mass and lower limb muscular power performance. It is unclear whether this occur due to biological maturation or under the influence of regular physical activity.