LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF THE PHYSICAL FITNESS OF SCHOOL-AGED STUDENTS

Abstract

This article presents an academic analysis of the physical and anthropometric status of school-aged students, based on the results of physical and anthropometric assessments conducted at the beginning and end of the 2024 academic year. The study employed a quantitative, longitudinal approach with a quasi-experimental design. From a population of 315 students, a sample of 150 seventh-grade students—drawn from low, middle, and lower-middle socioeconomic strata—was selected through convenience sampling. The participants, aged between 11.5 and 16.6 years (66 females and 84 males), were enrolled at INEM Francisco de Paula Santander School in Bogotá.The administered assessments included measurements of body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), flexibility, abdominal strength (sit-ups), upper body strength (arm flexion), standing long jump, and sprinting speed. Data analysis was conducted using the STATPLUS software, and the normality of data distribution was evaluated using the same program. Given the non-normal distribution of the data, the non-parametric Wilcoxon test was employed for statistical analysis.The study complied with ethical standards for research in education, including informed consent from students' legal guardians and the assurance of data confidentiality. The findings support the alternative hypothesis (H₁): a single weekly physical education class over the course of one academic year does not produce statistically significant changes in students’ anthropometric indicators or physical fitness levels.