Health-Related Fitness in Homeschool versus Public School Adolescents

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Health-Related Fitness in Homeschool versus Public School Adolescents
Language: English
Authors: Kabiri, Laura S. (ORCID 0000-0002-1419-0760), Brice, Kendall R., Rodriguez, Augusto X., Perkins-Ball, Amanda M., Diep, Cassandra S.
Source: American Journal of Health Education. 2020 51(2):129-134.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 6
Publication Date: 2020
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Descriptors: Health Related Fitness, Adolescents, Public Schools, Home Schooling, Human Body, Muscular Strength, Body Composition, Physical Fitness, At Risk Persons, Physical Activity Level, Child Health, Secondary School Students
DOI: 10.1080/19325037.2020.1713261
ISSN: 1932-5037
Abstract: Background: Despite the known benefits of physical fitness in adolescence, the growing and at-risk homeschool adolescent population has been largely overlooked in current research. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare health-related fitness including body mass index (BMI), cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscular fitness between homeschool and public school adolescents. Methods: Homeschool adolescents ages 12-17 years (n = 66) completed the Progressive Aerobic Capacity Endurance Run (PACER), curl-up, and 90° push-up portions of the FitnessGram® to assess cardiorespiratory fitness as well as abdominal and upper body strength and endurance. T-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare results to public school children (n = 66). Results: There was no significant difference in BMI between groups. Homeschool adolescents had significantly lower cardiorespiratory fitness and abdominal, but not upper body, strength and endurance. They also showed significantly lower health classification rankings in cardiorespiratory fitness and upper body, but not abdominal, strength and endurance. Discussion: Homeschool adolescents showed significant deficits in health-related fitness that could negatively impact both current and future health. Translation to Health Education Practice: The homeschool community has a need for health education to address deficits in health-related fitness. This study can aid health educators in planning and implementing targeted, effective interventions in the future.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2020
Accession Number: EJ1247412
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Background: Despite the known benefits of physical fitness in adolescence, the growing and at-risk homeschool adolescent population has been largely overlooked in current research. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare health-related fitness including body mass index (BMI), cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscular fitness between homeschool and public school adolescents. Methods: Homeschool adolescents ages 12-17 years (n = 66) completed the Progressive Aerobic Capacity Endurance Run (PACER), curl-up, and 90° push-up portions of the FitnessGram® to assess cardiorespiratory fitness as well as abdominal and upper body strength and endurance. T-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare results to public school children (n = 66). Results: There was no significant difference in BMI between groups. Homeschool adolescents had significantly lower cardiorespiratory fitness and abdominal, but not upper body, strength and endurance. They also showed significantly lower health classification rankings in cardiorespiratory fitness and upper body, but not abdominal, strength and endurance. Discussion: Homeschool adolescents showed significant deficits in health-related fitness that could negatively impact both current and future health. Translation to Health Education Practice: The homeschool community has a need for health education to address deficits in health-related fitness. This study can aid health educators in planning and implementing targeted, effective interventions in the future.
ISSN:1932-5037
DOI:10.1080/19325037.2020.1713261