[Background] In Japanese elementary schools, each teacher has to teach all subjects, and there are few specialized physical education teachers. High-quality physical education programs are not being implemented in some schools without specialized physical education teachers. Furthermore, there is a decrease in the physical fitness of Japanese children compared with that in around 1985. [Objective] The present study aimed to examine the effects of changes in physical education curriculums for elementary schools and the recruitment of specialized physical education teachers on students’ physical fitness. [Methods] Two-year longitudinal surveys (2014 to 2016) were conducted involving first-year students of a private elementary school (males: n=20, age = 6.8±0.3 year, height = 116.7±4.6cm, body weight = 20.8±2.7kg. females: n=26, age = 6.6 ± 0.3 year, height = 116.0±3.3cm, body weight = 20.3±2.3kg; means ± SD) in Kanagawa Prefecture. The survey included tests to measure the grip strength of the toes and hand and assess performances in sit-ups, forward-bending in a sitting position, the side step, 20-m shuttle run, 50-m run, and standing long jump. The maximal isometric toe flexor strength in the sitting position was measured using a toe flexor dynamometer (T. K. K. 3361; Takei Scientific Instruments Co., Niigata, Japan). During the period between 2014 and 2015, specialized physical education teachers were recruited. In addition to this, modifications were made to physical education curriculums during the period between 2015 and 2016. [Results and Discussion] There was a significant improvement in the physical fitness of the children, side step, 50-m run, sit-ups, and the grip strength of the toes in particular, following the recruitment of specialized physical education teachers and
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changes in physical education curriculums (2015 to 2016), compared with their physical fitness during the period between 2014 and 2015, during which only the recruitment of specialized physical education teachers was implemented. Therefore, it is necessary to recruit specialized physical education teachers and develop effective physical education curriculums to improve children’s physical fitness.
