Developing endurance and self-confidence through the integration of Freestyle Wrestling into physical education lessons

Objective. This study examined the effects of an eight-week freestyle wrestling-based program integrated into physical education lessons on endurance and self-confidence in seventh-grade students

Methods. 40 students were divided into an experimental group (n=20) and a control group(n=20). Physical endurance was assessed through the Harvard Step Test and Ruffier Test, while self-confidence was evaluated at the end of the intervention using the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory

Results. The experimental group showed greater improvements in cardiovascular endurance and adaptation to effort compared with the control group. In addition, the experimental group obtained significantly higher post-intervention self-esteem scores.

Conclusions. These findings suggest that freestyle wrestling exercises, when adapted to the physical education classes in school, may be a useful method for developing endurance and supporting self-confidence in physical education.