The Effects of Higher Intensity Levels on Physical Fitness in Physical Education

Abstract

Obesity is considered by many to be an epidemic at all age levels. Specifically, adolescents between the ages of 2 to 19 have increased to body fat percentages of 19.7% over the last five years. Obesity can be caused by (but not limited to) low socioeconomic status, poor nutrition, genetics, and/or physical inactivity. Those with obesity demonstrate a decrease in muscular strength, muscular endurance and cardiovascular endurance; and an increase in an fat mass, BMI, waist circumference, Fat Mass percentage, and waist circumference. An important component when it comes to overcoming or preventing obesity is exercise and exercising at the appropriate intensity level. Physical Education is an opportunity in which adolescents can achieve the recommended daily of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The purpose of this synthesis project is to review the literature on the beneficial effects of incorporating higher intensity activities on physical fitness levels in Physical Education. It was concluded that integrating higher intensity activities into Physical Education improves health related fitness and body composition, can be incorporated at the primary and secondary levels, and can be added to current curriculums