The purpose of this paper was to monitor the heart rates of-first, third, and fifth grade students during physical education classes to determine if the classes contribute to improvement in cardiovascular fitness levels. The study determined the average heart rate of students in physical education classes and determined the percent of time the heart rate remained in, above, and below a predetermined heart rate range of 140 to 180 beats per minute.Students from seven schools were involved in this study which included: 338 first graders, 236 third graders, and 217 fifth graders. Each school was visited three times.The measurement of heart rates was accomplished by placing a heart rate monitor on each student during their regular physical education class. The results indicated that the average heart rate for all first graders was 142.28 beats per minute (bpm), for all third graders was 141.68 bpm, and for all fifth graders was 142.85 bpm. The percentage of time spent in the pre-determined heart rate range for first grade students was 39.98%, third grade was 37.78%, and 40.64% for fifth grade. The percentage of time spent above the pre-determined heart rate range for first grade was 15.59%, 15.76% for third grade, and 13.91% for fifth grade. The percentage of time spent below the predetermined heart rate range for first grade was 43.99%, for third grade 46.32%, and 47.00% for fifth grade. The above findings revealed that the average heart rates did increase, although when further examining the percentage IN, ABOVE, and BELOW the pre-determined heart rate range the figures indicated that heart rates were not maintained at an appropriate level of intensity for the adequate time needed to increase cardiovascular fitness levels. If cardiovascular fitness is a goal in these classes, changes in class drills and games will be required to accomplish this goal. / School of Physical Education
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/185807 |
| Date | January 1996 |
| Creators | Burton, Catherine J. |
| Contributors | Ball State University. School of Physical Education., Buck, Marilyn M. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | vi, 53 leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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