Impact of a Structured Physical Education Program on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-being of Adolescent Girls: A Case Study in Haryana, India

Abstract

This research assesses the influence of an organised physical instruction programme on the physical health and psychological welfare of teenage girls at Hindu Kanya College, Jind, Haryana. In the midst of the ever-changing terrain of physical education in Indian schools, this study centres on a population frequently restricted by societal norms and cultural perspectives. The investigation encompassed 50 teenage girls engaging in a half-year physical education programme comprising diverse pursuits, such as cardio workouts, power training, suppleness exercises, and group athletics. The program's efficacy was evaluated using physical fitness assessments (aerobic fitness, muscular power and stamina, suppleness, physique composition) and mental health questionnaires (Beck Depression Inventory, General Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale, Rosenberg's Self-Respect Scale, Perceived Stress Scale). Outcomes demonstrated noteworthy enhancements in physical fitness aspects such as heightened cardiovascular fitness, muscular potency, stamina, and suppleness, alongside a more wholesome body structure. Psychological well-being advantages were also noted, encompassing diminished indications of despondency and unease, enhanced self-worth, and superior tension regulation abilities. Comparative examination with a control group further emphasised the program's efficiency. The exploration emphasises the significance of organised physical instruction in the comprehensive growth of teenage females, adding favourably to their bodily and psychological well-being, and emphasises its function in advancing gender parity and enabling youthful ladies.