Tendencies in Physical Abilities of Preservice Physical Education Student Teachers between 2000-2016

Background: The comforts of modern life have reduced physical activity (PA). Only approximately one-third of the adult population engages in regular recommended levels of PA, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. This has given rise to the speculation that within 15 years a change in physical abilities will be detected among students preparing to be physical educators.

Aim and Methods: To investigate this possible tendency, we collected data from 1075 preservice student teachers for physical education (PE) 20-30 years of age. Data included evaluations of the following abilities: cardiovascular, abdominal strength, arm strength, agility and final grades.

Results: Results show several statistically significant results: 1) A tendency of increased final grades and cardiovascular ability and a decline in abdominal strength over the years; 2) Cardiovascular ability was higher among non-Jewish males and females in comparison with their Jewish peers; 3) Grades and arm and abdominal strength were higher among Jewish males and females in comparison with their non-Jewish peers; 4) An inverse association was found between cardiovascular ability and grades in the non-Jewish population 5) Direct associations were found between abdominal and arm strength and grades.

Discussion and Conclusions: The results are important in several aspects. First, students preparing to become PE teachers serve as role models and need to present their physical abilities to their students. Second, in light of the current technological age, further PA considerations should be given to populations younger than 18. Third, consideration needs to be given to the PA needs of particular populations.