The effect of a five-week Tae kwon do beginner's program on body- image and perceived physical fitness in college students

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Authors
Kang, Sung-Gong
Advisor
Issue Date
1996
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (M.A.)
Department
School of Physical Education
Other Identifiers
Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a five-week Tae Kwon Do beginner's program on body-image and perceived physical fitness in college students. The participants were 12 students (ages 18 to 23) enrolled in two Tae Kwon Do classes offered through the Recreation Program at Ball State University. The subjects' body-image and perceived physical fitness were pre- and posttested using the Bruchon-Schweitzer's Body Image Questionnaire (BIQ) and an Abadie's Perceived Physical Fitness Scale (PPFS). Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test was employed to test for significant differences between subjects' pretest and posttest scores on the Bruchon-Schweitzer's BIQ test. No significant differences were found (t=1.84, p<.05) indicating that the subjects did not perceive any improvement in their body-image after five weeks of Tae Kwon Do training. Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test was also used to test for significant differences between subjects' pretest and posttest scores on the Abadie's PPFS test. Significant differences were found (t=-3.16,p<.05) indicating that the subjects perceived a change in their physical fitness level after five weeks of Tae Kwon Do training. The findings of this study suggest that as a result of participating in a five-week Tae Kwon Do program, students felt an improvement in their physical fitness level. Although there was no significant change in body image during a five week program, the scores of BIQ were higher in the posttest. The program may need to be extended to at least 10 weeks or even longer. If the students keep participating in Tae Kwon Do program for a extended period of time, they may also improve their body-image.

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