The Effect of Aerobic Exercise Training Based on Rhythmic Movements Accompanied by Music on the Academic Achievement of Second-Grade Elementary Students
Keywords:
Academic progress, rhythmic movements, aerobic exercise, studentsAbstract
Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of aerobic exercise based on rhythmic movements accompanied by music on the academic achievement of second-grade male students.
Methodology: A semi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test and a control group was used. The statistical population consisted of 780 second-grade male students in Langrod (Gilan Province), from which 40 students were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The academic achievement questionnaire of Pham and Taylor (1990) and students’ grade point averages were used as measurement tools. The experimental group participated in rhythmic aerobic exercise accompanied by music for 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week, over 8 weeks. The control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, Levene’s test, ANCOVA, and Wilks’ Lambda at a significance level of 0.05.
Findings: Wilks’ Lambda indicated a significant effect of the intervention on academic achievement (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.400, p = 0.0001). ANCOVA results also showed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups, with the experimental group demonstrating greater improvement (p = 0.0001). The effect size (Eta squared = 0.60) indicated that 60% of the variance in post-test scores was attributable to the rhythmic aerobic exercise intervention.
Conclusion: Participation in rhythmic aerobic exercises accompanied by music significantly enhanced academic achievement among second-grade male students. Incorporating such structured physical activity into school routines can meaningfully promote students’ academic performance.
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