Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

Publication Date

8-2-1973

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether two specific adapted physical education programs would alter the negative attitudes of ninth grade males toward physical education within a nine month period. It was a further purpose of this study to determine whether physical fitness achievement and motor skill achievement were altered when attitudes toward physical education were improved. Two specific adapted physical education curriculums, (1) emphasizing motor skill development (EG1), and (2) emphasizing physical fitness development (EG2) with class size maximums of 15, were compared to two control groups which used a traditional and comprehensive physical education curriculum. The control groups had class size maximums of 35 (CG1) and 15 (CG2) respectively. 192 ninth grade male subjects were used in the study (four groups of 48 each). Statistical comparisons were made through the use of ANOVA and MANOVA (BMDX69) procedures at the University of New Mexico Computer Center. The Scheffé Contrast method was employed to extract exact comparisons. Correlations were made using the Computer Center and the BMD02D program. The .05 level of confidence was accepted as the critical value to indicate significant difference. Attitude toward physical education improved within all groups, with the EGs scoring significantly higher than the CGs (.01). There was no significant difference between the two EGs and their improvement of attitude toward physical education. Physical fitness achievement levels improved within all groups, with EG2 showing a statistically significant difference (.01). There was a significant correlation between the improvement of physical fitness achievement level and the improvement of attitude toward physical education (.01). Motor skill achievement level improved within all groups with EG1 showing a statistically significant difference (.01). There was no significant correlation between the improvement of motor skill achievement and the improvement of attitude toward physical education. While all groups improved in their (1) attitudes toward physical education, (2) motor skill achievement level, and (3) physical fitness achievement level, the EGs provided a statistically significant difference over the CGs. Therefore, indications are that the two specific adapted physical education curriculums as described in this study, are significantly more beneficial than the two traditional and comprehensive physical education curriculums. The most outstanding correlation of this study is that when selected physical fitness achievement levels are improved through a specific adapted physical education curriculum with physical fitness emphasis, negative attitudes toward physical education are also improved.

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Health Education

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences

First Committee Member (Chair)

Frank Edward Papcsy

Second Committee Member

Sidney Rosenblum

Third Committee Member

Richard Jerome Harris

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