The effect of physical education program on the physical fitness levels of the orientation students of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals

The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of the Physical Education Program on the physical fitness levels of the orientation students of the KFUPM. 1244 Orientation students between 18 to 25 years were divided into underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese, based on BMI to undergo the P.E. Program. A pre and post-test was done on age, height, weight, body fat, body mass index, 50 M run, 550 M run, sit ups, standing long jump and sit and reach. The duration of the PE program was 30 minutes twice per week in volleyball and football for 8 weeks. The statistical tools used were mean, S.D. and t- test. The results showed that there was no difference in height of the students, but with regard to other physical and motor performance variables there was significant difference from pre to post-test in the overall analysis. The group wise analysis also showed improved performance in all the variables except the obese group which showed insignificant difference in 50mts run and 550 meters run with mean reading 9.08±0.96 and 9.06±1.01 for pre to post-test respectively. The Program of Physical Education had a significant effect on the performance of the orientation students in the physical characteristics and motor performance variables of 4 groups from pre to post-test. It was also concluded that the obese group also showed improved performance in a few variables, but in the runs of speed and endurance they showed insignificant difference.