This case study examines the effects of even-paced long distance running classes incorporating “indirect competition” on junior high school students with an aversion to long distance running. The study was conducted from January to February 2020. The participants were 80 first–year junior high school students, and the total class time observed was seven hours. Instructional innovations included setting a self–suitable easy–running–pace, group gamification of the even pacing skill, and classroom learning. The analysis population consisted of students who indicated in a preliminary questionnaire that they disliked long–distance running, and were grouped according to endurance. The survey included: 1) errors between the set pace and the running pace, 2) students ’ attitudes toward long–distance running, and 3) 1500m running records. The results of this study revealed the following points: 1) students acquired the skill of running at an even pace through even–paced long–distance running incorporating “indirect competition”; 2) even–paced long–distance running incorporating “indirect competition” was a significant factor in the “achievement” and “favorabe” of both the dislike–and–fast group and dislike–andslow group. 3) Even–paced long–distance running with “indirect competition” had a positive effect on the record improvement of the slow group in the 1500m run, while the effect on the record improvement of the fast group was not significant.
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