A Comparison of Fitness Training Methods in a School Program

Four groups of 14- to 16-year-old boys in a North Vancouver junior high school were closely matched on the basis of their scores on three indices. In one out of their four weekly physical education periods they took different training programs: 1). interval circuit training, emphasizing endurance and strength training, 2) conventional circuit training with endurance running, 3) conventional circuit training with games activity, 4) playing games only. The effect of introducing these different programs in a typical weekly school program was studied. Gains were made by all groups in all the indices 2 months later. The largest gains were by the interval circuit training group, particularly in the strength index.