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Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Physical education and training; Physical fitness;

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the current exercise habits of those Luther College alumni who participated in "Fitness For Life" (FFL) as compared to those students who participated in the activity-based (AB) physical education classes. Inherent sub-problems investigated included the following: 1. The effect of length of time since graduation on current exercise habits. 2. A description of the incidence of participation in selected aerobic activities, strength and/or conditioning activities, and recreational activities. 3. The identification of reasons that contribute to one's decision to continue or discontinue regular exercise habits. The Luther College Physical Education Skills Class Inventory was sent to 300 randomly selected alumni who had graduated from the years 1979-87, 150 had completed the FFL class and 150 had completed the AB classes and not the FFL class. A chi square analysis was used to determine the difference in frequency of current exercise habits between the two groups. The number of respondents exercising regularly from the FFL group was found to be significantly {p < .05) greater than the number of regular exercisers in the AB group. The results of this study supported the hypothesis that the FFL group exhibited a greater influence on exercise participation following their graduation from Luther College than those completing the AB physical education classes. The length of time since graduation was also found to have significant effects on current exercise habits. The longer the alumni had been out of school, the fewer the number of regular exercise participants. Jogging/running was identified as the top mode of exercise for the FFL group. Their second choice, cycling was the number one choice of the AB group. Flexibility was selected third by both groups. The primary reasons for regular involvement in an exercise program for both groups was to improve or maintain personal health and physical fitness levels. Time constraint was the primary reason given for not participating in an exercise program. It was concluded that the FFL group exhibited a greater incidence of regular exercise participation following their graduation from Luther College than those completing the AB physical education class.

Year of Submission

1988

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services

First Advisor

Larry D. Hensley

Second Advisor

Thomas M. Davis

Third Advisor

Susann G. Doody

Comments

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Date Original

1988

Object Description

1 PDF file (65 leaves)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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