Development and Examination of the Total Fitness Analysis System（TFAS） for Fitness Education for University Students

Abstract

This paper describes the development of the Total Fitness Analysis System（TFAS（ver. 1.0）and examines its effects on the health−related behaviors modification and fitness acquisition of first−year university students participating in a ”fitness management” class.

Developed in 2010，TFAS is an educational software program which promotes self−awareness，evaluation and planning of fitness. Based on responses to a variety of questions，TFAS evaluates user health and fitness in five areas−“mind，” “exercise，” “nutrition，” “rest，” and “medical” −and generates simple advice and other comments.

287 first−year university students enrolled in a fitness management class during the 2011−2012 academic year used the TFAS system. This group checked their health−related behaviors and fitness using TFAS three times during the year（in May，October and January）．Their scores on class examinations and a final paper were examined and compared to first−year students who had participated in the same class in 2008−2009 but not used TFAS. In both years，this 90−minute class concerning practical skills and exercise was held 15 times in the first semester and 15 times in the second semester.

A comparison of the TFAS group and the 2008−2009 group after 6 months of enrollment showed a significant increase in the mean score on a test concerning eating habits for the TFAS group（t（2，475）＝2.65，p<.01）．In addition，the mean score for nutrition on the students' final papers was significantly higher for the TFAS group than it was for the 2008−2009 group （t（2，508）＝7.10，p<.01）．

These results suggest that the use of TFAS in university Physical Education courses is effective in improving the dietary habits of university students.