Development of Physical Fitness among the Top 10 Boys and Girls in Sport Schools: A 10-Year Cohort Analysis

In this study, we aimed to measure the development of physical fitness (PF) of 10 different cohorts in grade 4 and 8 different cohorts in grade 7 at 18 sport schools of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. A total of 11,451 subjects (3979 female, 7472 male) aged 8–12 from the past 10 years were assessed using the German Motor Test (DMT) in grade 4. We tested 2614 subjects (1032 girls, 1582 boys) aged 11–15 from the past eight years using the DMT in grade 7. PF talents were defined as the top 10 boys and top 10 girls of each cohort. Linear regression was calculated to assess the development of PF. The PF of all subjects remained stable in grade 4 and declined in grade 7. The PF of the top 10 boys and top 10 girls increased in both grades. The improvements were stronger in grade 7 (female: rates of change () = 0.80; male: = 0.76) than in grade 4 (female: = 0.36; male: = 0.32). Sit-ups and push-ups showed the highest change rates. The increase in PF of the top 10 boys and girls can be interpreted as a success for sport schools. Due to the increasing number of test participants, the likelihood of finding top talent increased. However, the increase in PF in the top talents was only partly explained by an increase in the number of tested individuals

Development of physical fitness under consideration of talent-specific aspects

Purpose: To measure the initial level and development of physical fitness (PF) in pupils from grade 4 to grade 7 in sport schools with respect to the discipline, training volume and training years. Methods: A total of 1590 (1074 female, 516 male) pupils from sport schools in North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) were tested in grade 4 and re-tested in grade 7 using the German Motor Test. Additionally, the discipline, training volume and training years were captured in grade 7 via questionnaire. Results: The initial level of PF of boys and girls lies above the German average and was influenced by discipline and training volume. The track and field athletes showed the best results compared to other sport disciplines. In relation to the normal population, boys showed a slight decrease in PF from grade 4 to 7 (F = 8.3; p = 0.004; η2 = 0.009) whereas the PF of girls remained stable (F = 1.1; p = 0.290; η2 = 0.003). The development of PF is influenced by sport discipline, training volume and the interaction between training volume and time. In total, the effect sizes were low. Conclusions: There is still potential to improve training and physical education at sport schools to raise the level of PF. Training years did not influence the initial level of PF or the development of PF. In further studies, more information on the type of training would be useful

Physical education at the Bauhaus, 1919-33

Le Bauhaus, courant et école artistiques allemands du début du 20e siècle, a intégré l'éducation physique dans ses méthodes d'enseignement. Le sport devient un art du mouvement, une connaissance du corps, censé guider l'expression créative des étudiants

Differenzierte Sportbefreiung als Chance: Ergebnisse eines Online-Survey und Übersicht über die aktuelle Literatur

Hintergrund Die körperliche Aktivität in der Schule trägt relevant zur Bewegungszeit von Schüler*innen bei. Eine differenzierte ärztliche Sportbefreiung (dSB) ermöglicht die angepasste Teilnahme am Sportunterricht im Rahmen der individuellen körperlichen Leistungsfähigkeit. Methode Online-Befragung von Ärzt*innen (2019) und Lehrkräften (zwei Wellen, 2017/19). Neben demographischen Parametern wurden Fragen zur dSB in der Praxis anhand einer 6-Punkt-Likert-Skala erhoben. Mittelwerte wurden mit 95%-Konfidenzintervall (95%-KI) berechnet. Ergebnisse 97 Ärzt*innen und 280 Sportlehrkräfte nahmen teil. Durchschnittlich nahmen 10,3% (95%-KI: 9,5–11,1%) der Schüler*innen nicht am Sportunterricht teil. Die Schüler*innen wurden meist direkt von den Eltern entschuldigt. Als Gründe wurden vergessene Sportkleidung (62%), akute Infekte (54%), Verletzungen (50%) angegeben. Chronische Erkrankungen waren selten (8%). Die meisten Lehrkräfte (63%) fühlen sich nicht gut auf den Umgang mit Schüler*innen mit chronischen Erkrankungen im Sportunterricht vorbereitet. 24% der Ärzt*innen hatten noch nie über eine DSB nachgedacht. Alle Befragten hielten eine dSB für statistisch relevant sinnvoller als eine Befreiung von der Notengebung. Diskussion Ärzte und Lehrkräfte halten das Konzept der dSB für sinnvoll und umsetzbar. Eine Befreiung von der Notengebung kommt als sekundäre Option in Frage. Schlussfolgerung Die differenzierte Sportbefreiung ist ein sinnvolles, aber nicht weit verbreitetes Konzept, das in vielen unterschiedlichen Szenarien angewendet werden kann. Um eine optimale Integration aller Kinder und Jugendlichen im Sportunterricht zu erreichen, sollte ein allgemeingültiges, standardisiertes System entwickelt werden. = BACKGROUND Physical education and sports participation in school play a major role in overall activity of children and adolescents. A differentiated school sports exemption (DSE) allows sports participation adapted to the individual's ability. METHOD Online-survey among physicians (2019) and physical education (PE) teachers (in two waves, 2017 and 2019), on their opinion towards the concept of DSE with respect to professional and demographic parameters. Answers were scaled on a 6-point Likert scale. Means and 95% confidence intervals (95%-CI) were calculated. RESULTS Complete questionnaires of 97 physicians and 280 teachers were included. A mean of 10,3% (95%-CI: 9,5-11,1%) of students, did not participate in PE class. In most cases, students were excused directly by their parents without consulting a physician. Most frequent reasons for exemption were missing sports gear (62%), common colds (54%), or acute injuries (50%). Chronic disease or disability was rare (8%). Most teachers did not feel well prepared to deal with children with chronic diseases or disabilities in PE class. Many physicians (24%) had never considered DSE. However, the concept was well accepted among both physicians and teachers. It was considered more practicable than exemption from being marked. DISCUSSION According to participants, DSE is expedient and feasible. As a secondary option, students with chronic disease or disability may be exempted from being marked in PE class by their physician. CONCLUSION The concept of DSE was widely accepted, but rarely used. It can be applied in various scenarios. In order to improve sports participation, a national standardized procedure should to be implemented