Master's Theses

Department

Health and Human Performance

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a twelve week fitness program on interaction between health-related physical fitness and body-esteem. Two instruments were utilized, the Fort Hays Fitness Test (Giese, 1984) and Body Esteem Scale (Franzoi & Shields, 1984). Subjects were pre/post-tested on health related physical fitness and body-esteem. All subjects were undergraduate females attending Fort Hays State University, spring semester of 1989. Subjects volunteered to participate in the study. Experimental subjects (N=1 4) were those enrolled in aerobic dance. These subjects were exposed to the treatment which was a twelve week fitness program. Exercise bouts were in compliance with the FIT Principle (Frequency, Intensity, Time). No maximum exercise limit was established. Two control groups were selected. One group (N=7) was selected from non-aerobic physical education courses. Subjects did not exercise regularly. Second group (N=10) subjects were not enrolled in a physical education course and served as non-exercise controls. Experimental subjects exercised within their target heart zone an average of 2.68 times a week, approximately 35 minutes each bout. Six control subjects reported exercising that was not of significant frequency, intensity, or duration to elicit increases in fitness. Interaction was determined by graph analysis of mean pre-test post-test fitness and body-esteem subscale scores. The Wilks’ lambda and a univariate statistic determined significant (p,0.05) differences between groups in health related physical fitness and body-esteem. Based on the results and within the limitations of this study, it was determined no significant interaction occurred between health-related physical fitness and body esteem subscales in the experimental (aerobic) group, non-aerobic physical education or non-exercise control groups. A significant difference, pre/post-test, was determined between groups in health r elated physical fitness. Experimental subject's fitness levels increased; control subject's fitness levels decreased. No significant differences in body-esteem were determined between groups. Body-esteem mean scores increased in all groups. Significance by trial, for groups combined, occurred in the Physical Condition subscale. No significance by trial was found in Weight Concern or Sexual Attractiveness subscales.

Keywords

Health and Physical Education

Advisor

John M. Zody

Date of Award

Summer 1989

Document Type

Thesis - campus only access

Rights

© The Author(s)

Comments

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