Abstract
In Texas, students K-12 are required to engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at least 50% of the time spent in physical education (Texas Education Code § 28.002, 2021). Engaging in MVPA advances developmental outcomes, including health-related fitness and cognition, to support long-term health behaviors. However, there is a lack of evidence examining if the MVPA requirement is being met and possible health impacts. PURPOSE: 1) Identify how many students adhere to the MVPA physical education requirement and 2) investigate differences in developmental outcomes (i.e., health-related fitness [upper and lower body strength], cognition), and school day MVPA and sedentary behavior between students who adhere and those who do not. METHODS: The study recruited 50 students (32 males, 17 females, 1 did not report; Mage = 15.60 ± 1.24) from one high school in Texas. Participants wore a GT3X+ accelerometer on their non-dominant hip for one week. Data were included when the device was worn for > 3 days and > 8 hours of wear time per day (n = 33). Using Freedson Child (2005), cut points are as follows: sedentary (0–149 CPM) and MVPA (500–7,599 CPM). Participants were assessed on health-related fitness via grip strength (i.e., upper body strength) and broad jump (lower body strength) and cognition (inhibitory control [Go/No-Go]). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the distribution of MVPA during physical education. Cohen’s d was used to interpret group differences (.2 = small effect, .5 = moderate effect, and .8 or larger = large effect; Cohen, 1988). RESULTS: Only 18% of adolescents engaged in MVPA for at least 50% of their physical education class, engaging in 31.56 + 5.08 minutes of MVPA. The remaining 82% of adolescents were only engaged in 11.61 + 8.29 minutes of MVPA during physical education. Compared to adherent students, non-adherent students demonstrated less favorable grip strength (16.40 vs. 17.05 kg; Cohen’s d = .19), broad jump (149.21 vs. 160.14 cm; Cohen’s d = .35), inhibitory accuracy (97.96% vs. 99.07% correct, Cohen’s d = .28), and response time (2.27 vs. 2.22 s; Cohen’s d = .14), respectively. Regarding activity levels, adolescents that met the 50% requirement engaged in more school day MVPA (82.98 minutes vs. 58.72 minutes; Cohen’s d = 1.26) and less sedentary time (309.95 vs. 373.43 min; Cohen’s d = 1.53). CONCLUSION: Most adolescents fell below the 50% MVPA requirement in physical education, yet students who met the requirement demonstrated better developmental outcomes. These findings underscore the potential role physical education has among the adolescent population as a critical setting for long-term health promotion.
Recommended Citation
Dunn, Grant; Pegg, Jessica; Dames, Kevin; and Moss, Samantha
(2026)
"Influence of Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity during Physical Education for Fitness, Cognition, and School Day Activity in Adolescence,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
18, Article 48.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/48