The Educational Role of Athletics in Physical Education: Effects on the Physical and Motor Development of Lower Secondary Students (Part I)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/17.3/1021Keywords:
physical development, secondary school, physical education, athletics, anthropometry, experimental study, somatic growthAbstract
This paper explores the effects of a structured athletics-based physical education program on the physical development of secondary school students. The experimental intervention was implemented throughout the 2023–2024 academic year in two urban schools and involved integrating age-appropriate running, jumping, and throwing exercises into regular physical education classes. Sixty students aged 11–12 were assigned to experimental and control groups. Statistical analysis revealed significant improvements in the experimental group compared to the control group. Key anthropometric indicators included a +1.8 cm increase in height (t = 13.80; p < 0.0005), a +1.06 kg gain in body weight (t = 6.72; p < 0.0005), and a +1.38 unit enhancement in thoracic elasticity (t = 15.83; p < 0.0005). These findings demonstrate the formative impact of athletics content on somatic growth, postural development, and respiratory function during preadolescence. The results validate the inclusion of athletics-based activities in the physical education curriculum as an effective means to support students’ physical development, without emphasizing competitive performance.References
Alpkaya, U. (2019). The relationship between the physical activity efficacy and physical activity of the middle school students. Pedagogics, psychology, medical-biological problems of physical training and sports, 23(2), 59-65. https://doi.org/10.15561/18189172.2019.0202.
Bailey, R., Armour, K., Kirk, D., Jess, M., Pickup, I., Sandford, R., & BERA Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy Special Interest Group. (2009). The educational benefits claimed for physical education and school sport: an academic review. Research Papers in Education, 24(1), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/02671520701809817.
Balint, L., & Badicu, G. (2023). Teoria educației fizice și sportului; Editura Universității Transilvania Brașov.
Barbu, C., & Stoica, M. (2000). Atletism. Metodica predarii exerctiilor de atletism in lectia de educatie fizica. Printech.
Baumeister, R. F., Vohs, K. D., & Tice, D. M. (2007). The Strength Model of Self-Control. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 16(6), 351-355. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2007.00534.x.
Bean, C., Kendellen, K., & Forneris, T. (2016). Moving beyond the gym: Exploring life skill transfer within a female physical activity-based life skills program. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 28(3), 274–290. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2015.1124155.
Biino, V., Giustino, V., Gallotta, M.C., Bellafiore, M., Battaglia, G., Lanza, M., Baldari, C., Giuriato, M., Figlioli, F., Guidetti, L., & Schena, F. (2023) Effects of sports experience on children's gross motor coordination level. Front. Sports Act. Living, 5, 1310074. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1310074.
Brown, K.A., Patel, D.R., & Darmawan, D. (2017). Participation in sports in relation to adolescent growth and development. Transl. Pediatr, 6(3), 150–159. https://doi.org/10.21037/tp.2017.04.03.
Cârstea, Gh. (2000). Teoria și metodica educației fizice și sportului - Pentru examenele de definitivat și gradul didactic II. Editura AD-NA.
Costa, C.L.A., Cattuzzo, M.T., Stodden, D.F., & Ugrinowitsch, H. (2021). Motor competence in fundamental motor skills and sport skill learning: Testing the proficiency barrier hypothesis. Hum. Mov. Sci., 80, 102877. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2021.102877.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The "what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227- 268. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01.
De Meester, A., Barnett, L.M., Brian, A., Bowe, S.J., Jiménez-Díaz, J., Van Duyse, F., Irwin, J.M., Stodden, D.F., D'Hondt, E., Lenoir, M., & Haerens, L. (2020). The relationship between actual and perceived motor competence in children, adolescents and young adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Med., 50, 2001–2049. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01336-2
Dragnea, A., Bota, A., Stanescu, M., Teodorescu, S., Serbanoiu, S., & Tudor, V. (2006). Educaţie fizica si sport - Teorie si didactică. FEST.
Dragnea, A., Bota, A., Teodorescu, S., Stanescu, M., Serbanoiu, S., & Tudor, V. (2002). Teoria educației fizice și sportului. FEST.
Dragnea, A., & Bota, A. (1999). Teoria activităților motrice. Editura Didactică și Pedagogică.
Faigenbaum, A.D., Kraemer, W.J., Blimkie, C.J., Jeffreys, I., Micheli, L.J., Nitka, M., & Rowland, T.W. (2009). Youth resistance training: Updated position statement paper from the national strength and conditioning association. J. Strength Cond. Res., 23(5 Suppl), S60–79. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31819df407.
Farooq, M.A., Parkinson, K.N., Adamson, A.J., Pearce, M.S., Reilly, J.K., Hughes, A.R., Janssen, X., Basterfield, L., & Reilly, J. (2018). Timing of the decline in physical activity in childhood and adolescence: Gateshead Millennium Cohort Study. Br. J. Sports Med., 52(15), 1002–1006. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-096933.
Formenti, D., Cavaggioni, L., Duca, M., Trecroci, A., Rapelli, M., Alberti, G., Komar, J., & Iodice, P. (2020). Acute Effect of Exercise on Cognitive Performance in Middle-Aged Adults: Aerobic Versus Balance. J Phys Act Health, 17(8), 773-780. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2020-0005.
Golu, F. (2015). Manual de psihologia dezvoltării. O abordare psihodinamică. Colegium Polirom.
Hands, B. (2008). Changes in motor skill and fitness measures among children with high and low motor competence: A five-year longitudinal study. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 11(2), 155-162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2007.02.012.
Hardman, K. (2008). Physical education in schools: A global perspective. Kinesiology, 40(1), 5–28.
Hill, P.J., Mcnarry, M.A., Mackintosh, K.A., Murrary, M.A., Pesce, C., Valentini, N.C., Getchell, N., Tomporowski, P.D., Robinson, L.E., & Barnett, L., M. (2024). The Influence of Motor Competence on Broader Aspects of Health: A Systematic Review of the Longitudinal Associations Between Motor Competence and Cognitive and Social-Emotional Outcomes. Sports Med., 54(2), 375–427. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01939-5.
Hudson, K.N., & Willoughby, M.T. (2021). The Multiple Benefits of Motor Competence Skills in Early Childhood. RTI Press Research Brief [Internet]. Research Triangle Park (NC): RTI Press; 2014. https://doi.org/doi:10.3768/rtipress.2021.rb.0027.2108
Ilyasi, G., & Salehian, M.H. (2011). Comparison of personality traits between individual and team athletes. Middle-East J. Sci. Res., 9(4), 527–530.
Khan, W., Marwat, N.M., Asghar, E., Irshad, A., Sultana, B.; Ahmed, R., Muavia, U., & Farid, M. (2021). Development and transfer of interpersonal communication skills through sport. PalArch’s J. Archaeol. Egypt/Egyptol, 18(10), 2978-2991.
Ley, C. (2020). Participation Motives of Sport and Exercise Maintainers: Influences of Age and Gender. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(21), 7830. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217830.
Lopes, L., Santos, R., Coelho-E-Silva, M., Draper, C., Mota, J., Jidovtseff, B., Clark, C., Schmidt, M., Morgan, P., Duncan, M., O'Brien, W., Bentsen, P., D'Hondt, E., Houwen, S., Stratton, G., Martelaer, K., Scheuer, C., Herrmann, C., … & Agostinis-Sobrinho, C. (2021). A narrative review of motor competence in children and adolescents: What we know and what we need to find out. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18010018
Lloyd, R.S., Cronin, J.B., Faigenbaum, A.D., Haff, G.G., Howard, R., Kraemer, W.J., Micheli, L.J., Myer, G.D., & Oliver, J.L. (2016). National Strength and Conditioning Association Position Statement on Long-Term Athletic Development. J. Strength Cond. Res., 30(6), 1491–509. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001387.
Malina, R.M., Bouchard, C., & Bar-Or, O. (2004). Growth, Maturation, and Physical Activity. (2nd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Mihăilescu, L., & Mihăilescu, N. (2006). Atletism în sistemul educational. Editura Universității din Pitești.
Ministerul Educației Naționale. (2017). Programa școlară pentru disciplina Educație fizică și sport. Clasele a V-a – a VIII-a. București, România: Ministerul Educației Naționale.
Moradi, J.; Bahrami, A.; Dana, A. Motivation for participation in sports based on athletes in team and individual sports. Phys. Cult. and Sport and Stud. Res., 85(1), 14–21. https://doi.org/10.2478/pcssr-2020-0002.
Montalva-Valenzuela, F., Andrades-Ramírez, O., & Castillo-Paredes, A. (2022). Effects of Physical Activity, Exercise and Sport on Executive Function in Young People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review. Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol, 12(1), 61–76. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe12010006.
Pesce, C., Croce, R., Ben Soussan, T. D., Vazou, S., McCullick, B., Tomporowski, P. D., & Horvat, M. (2016). Variability of practice as an interface between motor and cognitive development. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17(2), 133–152. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2016.1223421
Pesce, C., Stodden, D. F., & Lakes, K. D. (2021). Editorial: Physical Activity "Enrichment": A Joint Focus on Motor Competence, Hot and Cool Executive Functions. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 658667. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.658667
St Laurent, C.W., Burkart, S., Andre, C., & Spencer, R.M.C. (2021). Physical activity, fitness, school readiness, and cognition in early childhood: A systematic review. J. Phys. Act. Health, 18(8), 1004–1013. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2020-0844.
Reigal, R., Videra, A., & Gil, J. (2014). Práctica física, autoeficacia general y satisfacción vital en la adolescencia / Physical exercise, general self-efficacy and life satisfaction in adolescence. Revista Internacional de Medicina y Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte, vol. 14 (55), 561-576.
Rudolph, D. L., & Butki, B. D. (1998). Self-efficacy and affective responses to short bouts of exercise. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 10(2), 268 –280. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413209808406393
Sabău, E., & Gheorghe, D. (2012). Atletism - Curs în tehnologie IFR. Editura Fundației România de Mâine.
Stodden, D.F., Goodway, J.D., Langendorfer, S.J., Roberton, M.A., Rudisill, M.E., Garcia, C., & Garcia, L.E. (2008). A developmental perspective on the role of motor skill competence in physical activity: An emergent relationship. Quest, 60(2), 290–306. https://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2008.10483582
Stoica, M., & Ivan, C. (2011). Didactica predarii atletismului; Editura Discobolul.
Stoica, M. (2000). Capacitatile mortice în atletism. Printech.
Till, K., Lloyd, R.S., McCormack, S., Williams, G., Baker, J., & Eisenmann, J.C. (2022). Optimising long-term athletic development: An investigation of practitioners’ knowledge, adherence, practices and challenges. PLoS ONE, 17(1), e0262995. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262995.
Trudeau, F., & Shephard, R.J. (2008). Physical education, school physical activity, school sports and academic performance. Int. J. Behav. Nutr. Phys. Act., 5, 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-5-10.
Ullrich-French, S., McDonough, M.H., & Smith, A.L. (2012). Social connection and psychological outcomes in a physical activity-based youth development setting. Res. Q. Exerc. Sport, 83(3), 431–441. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2012.10599878.
Wollesen, B., Janssen, T. I., Müller, H., & Voelcker-Rehage, C. (2022). Efectele antrenamentului dual cognitiv-motor asupra performanței cognitive și fizice la copii și adolescenți sănătoși: o trecere în revistă de tip „scoping review”. Acta Psychologica (Amsterdam), 224, 103498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103498
Willoughby, M. T., & Hudson, K. (2023). Contributions of motor skill development and physical activity to the ontogeny of executive function skills in early childhood. Developmental Review, 70, 101102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2023.101102
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 The Authors & InManifest Network
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant this journalright of first publication, with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work, with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g. post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g. in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as an earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
Revista Romaneasca pentru Educatie Multidimensionala Journal has an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs
CC BY-NC-ND
