Tests for the evaluation of the improvement of physical fitness and health at the secondary school

Abstract

Background. The karate is a sport with increasing popularity and many sports centers and schools promote it.Several studies have shown that the karate can have positive effects, both on improving motor skills and on improving physical fitness. Objective.The purpose of this study is to estimate the effects of four weeks of karate training among boys aged 14 to 16 years. Methods.The study method is experimental with the division of the boys in 2 groups of 12 each:experimental group (karate training) and control group. Data were collected during four weeks. All data detected were expressed as average ± SD for experimental group and for the control group: height, weight, body mass index (BMI), shuttle run test, medicine ball throw and squat jump (SJ).The significant differences has been fixed in p<0.05. Results.The results showthat there was an effect of group (F=6.3, p=0.01) for the medicine ball throw; while for shuttle run test there was an effect of moment (F=16.8, p=0.001) and an effect was found for squat jump (F=4.7, p=0.014).Conclusion. The results suggest that the karate can be a physical activity that can provide health promotion and a significant exercise to improve fitness.