| Paper title: |
Development of the motor quality of endurance through athletics-based activities in physical education classes |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.4316/SAM.2026.0115 |
| Published in: | Volume XIX issue 1/ 2026 |
| Publishing date: | 2026 |
| Pages: | 132-141 |
| Author(s): | Iordache Alexandru Octav
Vizitiu Lakhdari Elena |
| Abstract. | The development of endurance is a fundamental objective of physical education, contributing to the improvement of students’ health, functional capacity, and motor performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of an athletics-based training program in developing the endurance of endurance among middle school students. The research hypothesis assumed that the systematic use of athletics-specific exercises during physical education classes would significantly improve students’ endurance compared with their initial level. The study was conducted through a pedagogical experiment involving middle school students and included the analysis of specialized literature, pedagogical observation, testing, and statistical processing of the collected data. The level of endurance was assessed using standardized physical tests applied at the beginning and at the end of the experimental program. The results revealed an improvement in the students’ endurance indicators, with the final assessments showing better performances than the initial ones, thus confirming the research hypothesis. The findings demonstrate that the systematic integration of athletics-based activities into physical education classes is an effective method for developing endurance and increasing the efficiency of the educational process. Therefore, athletics-specific means represent valuable educational tools for improving students’ physical fitness and motor development. |
| Keywords: | endurance, motor skills, athletics, physical education, middle school students, motor development |
| References: |
1. Bailey, R. (2006). Physical education and sport in schools: A review of benefits and outcomes. Journal of School Health, 76(8), 397–401. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.2006.00132.x 2. Bailey, R., Armour, K., Kirk, D., Jess, M., Pickup, I., Sandford, R., & BERA Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy Special Interest Group. (2009). The educational benefits claimed for physical education and school sport: An academic review. Research Papers in Education, 24(1), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/02671520701809817 3. Bompa, T. O., & Buzzichelli, C. (2019). Periodization: Theory and Methodology of Training (6th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. 4. Cârstea, G. (2000). Teoria și metodica educației fizice și sportului. București: Editura AN-DA. 5. Dragnea, A., & Bota, A. (1999). Teoria activităților motrice. București: Editura Didactică și Pedagogică. 6. Faigenbaum, A. D., Rebullido, T. R., & Peña, J. (2020). Youth resistance training: Updated position statement paper from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 34(8), 1–20. 7. Leuciuc, F. M., & Mirșidan, D. G. (2024). Study on the methodology of the development of the endurance through methods and means specific to athletics at 13–14 years old students. The Annals of “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava. Physical Education and Sport Section, 17(1), 48–55. https://doi.org/10.4316/SAM.2024.0106 8. Malina, R. M., Bouchard, C., & Bar-Or, O. (2004). Growth, Maturation, and Physical Activity (2nd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. 9. Ortega, F. B., Ruiz, J. R., Castillo, M. J., & Sjöström, M. (2008). Physical fitness in childhood and adolescence: A powerful marker of health. International Journal of Obesity, 32(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803774 10. Pehoiu, C. (2025). The Educational Role of Athletics in Physical Education: Effects on the Physical and Motor Development of Lower Secondary Students (Part II). Revista Românească pentru Educație Multidimensională, 17(3), 267–294. https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/17.3/1022 11. Ruiz, J. R., Castro-Piñero, J., Artero, E. G., Ortega, F. B., Sjöström, M., Suni, J., & Castillo, M. J. (2009). Predictive validity of health-related fitness in youth: A systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 43(12), 909–923. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2008.056499 12. World Athletics. (2023). Kids’ Athletics. Retrieved from https://worldathletics.org/kids-athletics |
| Back to the journal content | |
