Effect of participation in summer season sport classes on some selected physical and motor fitness, body composition and body image factors in adolescent girls

Regular physical activity in every stage of life, particularly in the childhood and adolescence is vital. Needless to say, its positive effects on the physical, mental and psychological growth of child and adolescents are considerable. So, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of participation in summer season sport classes on some factors of physical and motor fitness, body composition and body image in adolescent girls. In order to do this research, three summer vocational centers in Tehran were selected. Among them 54 people (18 from each center) of the students of this center who hadn’t have a regular physical activity through the year and were only attending summer classes (volleyball and basketball), were selected via available samples form. In addition, 10 students who were only attending art and science classes were selected as the control group. Aerobic power, muscle endurance, flexibility, agility, body mass index and physical self-concept, before and after the classes were examined. The period lasted for 8 weeks and the training and science classes were hold three times a week. In order to compare within and between group data, independent t and dependent t test were used. Results of the research proved that the extent of the changes of the maximum oxygen consumption and muscle endurance was significant (p<0.05) both in the experimental and control group. On the other side, the extent of the changes of the flexibility and subscale of the physical self-concept, was only meaningful (p<0.05) in the experimental group. Also, the results showed that there is no significant between the extent of the changes of aerobic power, muscle endurance, flexibility, agility, body mass index, physical self-concept and subscale of the physical self-concept. Finally, according to the findings, it seems that the summer sport classes, with the current pattern in this centers, has no effect on factors of physical and motor fitness, body composition and body image.