Recreational games for building physical fitness in physical education class

Abstract

Introduction: Physical education classes provide a fundamental educational setting for promoting active lifestyles, improving physical fitness, and preventing the effects of a sedentary lifestyle among middle school students. Objective: To analyze the contribution of recreational games to improving physical abilities related to strength and speed during physical education classes. Method: A quantitative, descriptive, and non-experimental study was conducted, involving the administration of a physical fitness test before and after an intervention based on recreational games. The sample consisted of 26 first-year high school students. Results: The findings showed improvements in arm strength and speed, particularly among students with excellent and good physical fitness levels after the intervention. Conclusion: Recreational games constitute a relevant pedagogical strategy for strengthening physical abilities, increasing student motivation, and making physical education classes more dynamic.