The roll of homework in physical education lessons to provide physical fitness gain and to devolop self concept of students

Purpose of this study was to determine levels of improving physical fitness levels and self concept by using physical fitness homeworks that are related with individual programming method at elementary school physical education lessons. To identify the effects of physical education lessons and physical fitness homeworks on physical fitness and self concept, 78 females, 96 males, and total 174 students participated to the study. Participants were 88 students (50 males and 38 females) included in experimental group and 86 students (46 males and 40 females) include in control group by randomly and volunteerly. Students in experimental group were given physical fitness homework through 14 weeks, but control group were not given homework. Control group and experimental group continued to participated two hours per week physical education lessons. In this study, 30m running, 800m running, standing vertical jump, sit-ups and sit and reach tests were used to measure physical fitness levels. Coopersmith Self-Respect Inventory was used for measuring self concept levels. At the beginning of the study all of the students were given physical tests and Coopersmith Self-Respect Inventory as pre-test. During 14 weeks students in experimental group performed 3 days per week physical fitness homework out of school time. On the other hand, both experimental group and control group had two hours physical education lessons per week. At the end of 14 week the tests that were applied at the beginning of the study are repeated to get post-test measurements. To identify the relationships as statically, correlation, t test, and percentage were used. Students in experimental group developed more (p<0,01) in both physical fitness and self-concept levels than the student in control group, as a result of 14 weeks physical fitness homework. Femails in experimental group developed more (p<0,05) than males in experimental group in 800m and 1 minute sit-ups. Females in experimental group physical fitness and self esteem levels developed more than females in control group and males in experimental group (p<0,05). Physical fitnes development were found high related with self- concept development as statically. Key Words: Home work, Physical fitness, Self concept, Motor skills, Physical education