Physical Fitness Status of Tertiary Students under the New Physical Activity towards Health and Fitness (PATHFit) Course: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

According to the latest findings of the World Health Organization (2022), most young people nowadays are deficient in fulfilling the global standard for moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activities. Concurrently, the issue of girls being less active than boys in most countries, including the Philippines, remains. To address this health issue, the Philippines' Commission on Higher Education (CHED) implemented the new Physical Activity Towards Health and Fitness (PATHFit) Courses. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate existing program models that focused on developing students' cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness. An exercise model underwent a quasi-experimental analysis using three fitness tests: Prone Bridge Test (PBT), 3-minute Step Test (STEP), and Wall Squat (WS). Results revealed that participants showed significant improvement after the 12-week fitness program, with p<0.01 in PBT, STEP, and WS scores. However, while differences in means were all significant (N=155), Cohen's d results show that small to medium effects occurred for the three performance test scores after the treatment period. Effects also showed that female participants still exhibited lower effect magnitudes. These findings recommend developing innovative exercise models incorporating health motivation and gamification. It is also suggested that tertiary PE consider modified models for female students, addressing their sports fitness needs and attraction to sports participation. Lastly, the Philippine Commission should vigilantly endorse tertiary program models following the availability of exercise and sports scientists in institutes, effectively implementing PATHFit on the ground and improving the overall sports fitness of students.