The Effects of Physical Education Activities Using Recreational Games on Health-Related Physical Fitness of Secondary School Students

Abstract

          This preliminary experimental study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of physical education activities incorporating recreational games on health-related physical fitness among secondary school students before and after participation. The sample consisted of 80 upper secondary students from Udonpattanakarn School, under the Office of Secondary Educational Service Area, Udon Thani, selected through purposive sampling. The research instruments included a physical education activity plan integrating recreational games and the physical fitness test for children and youth aged 7–18 years developed by the Department of Physical Education, Thailand. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics—percentage, mean, and standard deviation—and inferential statistics through a paired t-test. The results revealed that, when comparing pre- and post-intervention outcomes, the participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements in flexibility, upper body and abdominal muscle strength, and cardiovascular endurance. These findings indicate that implementing physical education activities through recreational games is an effective and sustainable approach to enhancing students’ physical fitness. Such activities can be effectively integrated into classroom settings as a means to promote health, stimulate motivation for physical exercise, and foster an enjoyable and participatory learning environment. The study further recommends that educational institutions continuously incorporate recreational game–based physical education activities into the curriculum to strengthen students’ physical and mental well-being in the long term.