Authors

Rose Ann V. Balolo*
Capiz State University – Main Campus, Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines

Eduardo I. Diosalan Jr., PhD
Capiz State University – Main Campus, Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines

Abstract

Physical fitness is essential for adolescent development, contributing not only to physical health but also to cognitive function, psychological well-being, and academic performance. This study examined the effects of an 8-week structured pickleball program on the physical fitness of Grade 10 students. Recognizing the growing concern over sedentary behavior among adolescents, the research aimed to evaluate whether an engaging physical education activity like pickleball could improve key fitness components. A quasi-experimental single-group pretest-posttest design was used, involving 20 purposively selected students (12 males and 8 females) from Child’s Academy, Inc. The intervention consisted of three 60-minute sessions per week, incorporating warm-up, skill development, conditioning, game-based activities, and cool-down phases. Physical fitness was assessed before and after the program using standardized physical fitness tests measuring muscular strength through push- up test, muscular endurance through partial curl- up test, speed through 40- meter sprint, agility through hexagon agility test, and reaction time through stick- drop test. Descriptive statistics and paired sample t-tests were applied to analyze differences, with significance set at p < 0.05, while Cohen’s d measured effect size. Pretest results revealed that the students demonstrated fair levels of muscular strength, muscular endurance, and agility; a good level of speed; and reaction time indicating a need for improvement, suggesting that the participants generally possessed fair to good physical fitness prior to their participation in the pickleball program. The posttest results revealed that the students demonstrated good levels of muscular strength, muscular endurance, agility, and reaction time, while speed performance ranged from very good to excellent; indicating that participation in the Pickleball program positively enhanced the students’ overall physical fitness. The results revealed a significant difference between the pretest and posttest scores across all fitness components, indicating that participation in the Pickleball program significantly improved the students’ physical fitness. Effect sizes ranged from large to huge effect, confirming the program’s substantial impact. The findings suggest that pickleball is an effective, engaging, and accessible activity that can enhance adolescents’ physical fitness and support its integration into school physical education programs.

Keywords: Agility, Muscular Strength, Muscular Endurance, Pickleball, Physical Fitness, Reaction time, Speed.

*Corresponding author
DOI: http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS05021064

Recommended citation:
Balolo, R. A. V., & Diosalan, E. I., Jr. (2026). The effect of pickleball in the physical fitness skills of junior high school students. Pantao (The International Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences) 5 (2), 2687-2714. http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS05021064

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