EFFECT OF AN 8 WEEKS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM TO IMPROVE THE LEVEL OF PHYSICAL FITNESS ELEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH HEALTH IN GIRLS ADOLESCENTS

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the effect of physical fitness program to improve the level of some health-related fitness elements in girls adolescents. Methods: Twenty adolescent girls volunteers (16.42 ± 0.28 years) participated in the study and were divided into two equal groups, 10 were assigned to the intervention group (IG) and 10 in a control group (CG). The participants in (IG) completed a 30-60 minute training session 3 times per week for 8 weeks at moderate intensity for the first 4 weeks and high intensity for the last 4 weeks. Performance on the 20-meter shuttle run test, Push-up, Curl-Up, Sit and Reach flexibility, were assessed at baseline and post- intervention. Results: At post measurement, Health-related fitness was higher (p < 0.05) in (IG) than in (CG) for cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance and flexibility. Over 8 weeks, the between-group analysis revealed that training program had a large beneficial effect. Conclusion: The results indicate that an eight-week physical fitness program was effective in enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance and flexibility among Algerian secondary school girls.