The purpose of the study was to examine the relations of physical activity level and physical fitness for a recent sample of college students and to compare the data from these students to the data from another sample of students collected 10 years earlier. Data for the earlier sample of 123 men and 120 women were collected in 1987. Data for the more recent sample of 138 men and 123 women were collected in 1997. Students in both cohorts were administered the Hall Physical Fitness Test Profile which includes measures of resting heart rate, blood pressure, height, weight, percent body fat composition, flexibility, muscle endurance, and aerobic power. Students also reported the amount of time they spent exercising on a 9-point scale ranging from no regular exercise to 10 or more hours per week. Results showed that was a significant increase in exercise for the 1997 women when compared to the 1987 women; exercise levels for the two cohorts of men were not different. For both cohorts, greater amounts of exercise were associated with increased fitness for both men and women. For the 1987 cohort, men were more fit than women; however, for the 1997 cohort, women were more fit than the men. The 1997 women were more fit than the 1987 women; there was no difference in overall fitness between the two cohorts of men.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation participants will will be able to: 1. Describe the association between amount of physical activity and physical fitness, and how the association varies as a funtion of gender and cohort groups over a ten year period. 2. Describe the similarities and differences in male and female college students' patterns of physical fitness over a ten year period. 3. List the eight components of the Hall Physical Fitness Test Profile used to assess physical fitness
Keywords: Exercise, College Students
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.