HEALTH-ORIENTED FITNESS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE "ACTIVE SCHOOL"

Abstract

Background. In Slovakia, less than one-third of the school population meets the requirement of physical activity of 1 hour per day at medium and higher intensity levels according to WHO global recommendations. This fact gradually manifests in the quality of pupils' health-oriented fitness as an indicator of their physical health. Gradually, there is an increase in various chronic non-communicable diseases, which are directly proportional to the lifestyle of pupils. School, as a setting, is suitable for fostering a positive attitude toward physical activity, cultivating movement habits, and promoting physical activity within the framework of an active school.
Objectives. The aim of the research was to determine the current level of the physical, functional, and movement system in non-exercising 4th-grade primary pupils and subsequently apply a health-oriented program through the Active School initiative to improve overall posture concerning the dynamic function of the spine.
Methods. Regarding the methods of obtaining somatometric data, the HW-900B device was used. Functional development was monitored using the Ruffier test (sport tester), and the movement system was evaluated through standardized tests for assessing the dynamic function of the spine (Th, Sch, St, Ott, L-test; body posture – Thomas, Klein mod. Mayer). The pupils (N = 117) completed a 12-week movement program composed of 15-minute exercises performed 5 days per week during a long break.
Results. Our findings in the area of functional fitness of younger school-age pupils via the Ruffier test showed that both girls and boys fell into the range of weak fitness. In the area of somatometry, average body height and weight, as well as BMI, were similar, but significantly higher (p<0.01) compared to 25 years ago. Regarding posture, pupils were classified into the 3rd qualitative level, which characterizes poor posture. This was also reflected in the quality of the dynamic function of the spine. Through the health-oriented program under the Active School initiative, we observed significant (p<0.01) improvements in our group of pupils, both girls and boys, in terms of individual aspects of posture, overall posture, and the dynamic function of the spine. Significant (p<0.01) improvement was also noted in the area of functional fitness, with pupils moving from the "weak" category to the "average" category. Additionally, pupils were reclassified to the 2nd qualitative level, indicating good posture.
Conclusion. Our findings indicate that the Active School initiative is one of the viable options for improving health-oriented fitness in non-exercising pupils, whether in terms of physical development focusing on body weight, functional development, or the movement system (dynamic function and posture). The listed study is part of the research project VEGA 1/0301/25 titled “Active School Promoting the Quality of Health-Oriented Fitness Focused on Postural Health of Pupils”.