The extent of implementation of the physical fitness program of the Philippine Military Academy

Abstract

The ultimate goal of the physical fitness program is total fitness of the individual person. The concept of fitness in the field of physical education, has implications for physical, social, and moral well-being. To sum up, physical fitness through movement is best conceived of as being that part of the educational process which aims to enhance and harmonize the physical, social, moral, and intellectual aspects of a growing individual chiefly through professionally selected and directed physical fitness activities. The physical fitness program of the Philippine Military Academy was premised on the “mission” of the Department of Physical Education that is “to equip the cadets with the basic knowledge and skills in sports, the required physical and motor fitness, and the inherent values necessary for a future officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This means that the mission of the department of physical education is geared towards contributing to the Academy’s efforts to totally educating and developing the cades as future officers through a comprehensive systematic and progressive physical fitness program. Cognizant of the fact that the military training leadership demands a year round physical fitness and readiness, the physical fitness program that cadets maintain a high degree of fitness aside from acquiring basic skills in sports and developing effective values and the improvement of physical fitness in the country especially in the Philippine Military Academy depends so much on the quality of the program, facilities, instructors, equipment and support from administration. The success of any physical fitness program solely rests on the intelligence, concern, commitment, sincerity, and honest service of the teaching staff and administration. Thus, the proper management and implementation of the program is very important for the success of the Philippine Military Academy mission. This study was conducted to find out the extent of implementation of the Physical Fitness Program of the Philippine Military Academy. Specifically, it sought to identify the level of effectiveness of the extent of implementation of the Physical Fitness Program along its components in terms of physical training, physical fitness test and endurance run, the level of attainment of the physical fitness program objectives, the level of adequacy of material resources in terms of facilities, equipment, and other supplies used in the physical fitness program, the level of effectiveness of the physical fitness program along components' values and benefits, and the problems encountered in the implementation of the physical fitness program. From the analysis of data gathered, the significant findings of the study are the following: 1. The faculty and cadets perceived that the extent of implementation of the physical fitness program is effective. 2. The faculty and cadets perceived that the extent of implementation of physical fitness program objectives are attained. 3. The faculty perceived that facilities used in the implementation of the physical fitness program are inadequate, while perceived as adequate on the part of the cadets. Equipment and supplies were adequate as perceived by the faculty and cadets. 4. The physical fitness program along components' values is effective as perceived by the faculty and cadets. Among the cadets, they perceived that moral and social values are very effective, while the faculty perceived the social values as very effective. 5. The problems encountered in the implementation of the program were perceived as very serious by the faculty while the cadets perceived it as serious. The leading problems encountered by the cadets are non-concerned attitude of physical education instructors to personal and other problems presented by the cadets, non availability of some physical education instructors when their services are badly needed and personal health condition. 6. The physical fitness program of the Philippine Military Academy is moderately implemented. Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions are drawn: 1. The physical fitness program of the Philippine Military Academy is perceived as effective. Both faculty of the Department of Physical Education and cadet respondents recognize the program's effectiveness along physical training, physical fitness test and endurance run. 2. The physical fitness program is able to serve its purposes evident in the attainment of its objectives. 3. Inadequacy of a number of material resources in terms of facilities, equipment and other supplies exists to a certain extent. 4. The physical fitness program along physical benefits, moral and social values perceived as effective by the respondents facilitate the learning of physical education. 5. Problems encountered by the respondents in the implementation of the physical fitness program were perceived differently but do not seem to affect its implementation. 6. The physical fitness program of the Philippine Military Academy continues to be implemented. Based on the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations are offered: 1. The cadets should be aware of the Physical Fitness Program of the Department of Physical Education in the Philippine Military Academy. 2. There should be an orientation to be conducted by the instructors regarding the objectives of the extent of the implementation of the Physical Fitness Program among cadets on the first day of classes. 3. That the PMA should identify the needs of the cadets in material resources in terms of facilities like physical education books, properly lighted classrooms, bowling alley with proper lighting and standard lanes. Equipment and other supplies needed for operation should be purchased on time to enhance the implementation of the physical fitness program. 4. There must be a consultation between the instructors of the Department of Physical Education and the Cadet Armed Forces of the Philippines towards the implementation of the total development concept of PMA like the DPE mission that is to equip the cadets with the basic knowledge and skills in sports and the required physical and motor fitness. The Physical Education instructors/personnel should interpret the standards of the physical fitness test uniformly. 5. There must be an evaluation among the cadets on benefits and values derived in the implementation of the physical fitness program. Physical development of the cadets should be given more emphasis to equal the moral and social development, given to them by means of inculcating the values in their everyday lives because it promotes flexibility, alertness, timing, perseverance, agility, speed, motor skills. Strengthens the legs and ankles, develops the chest. It also improves the balance and strengthens breathing in order that the body becomes light. 6. There should be frequent interaction between DPE faculty and cadets to inform the DPE faculty to make themselves available when their services are needed by the cadets especially in the implementation of the physical fitness. This will help attain a high level of effectiveness of the program. 7. The DPE faculty of the PNIA should make a review regarding the needs and problems of the cadets in the implementation of the Physical Fitness Program in the PIMA for a successful program. 8. Further research on this topic should be conducted with the first year cadets as respondents, both male and female, in order that the extent of implementation of the physical fitness program of PMA. cadets will be better appraised.