FITNESS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS DURING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MERDEKA CURRICULUM Sekar Angguntiyas *1, Gema Fitriady, S.Pd, M.Pd 2
Universitas Negeri Malang
Abstract
Abstract
The Merdeka Curriculum in the Physical Education, Sports, and Health (PJOK) subject includes an element of movement utilization. One of the goals of this element is to practice physical activities in daily life based on the principles of Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type (FITT), ensuring that physical fitness levels are at least in the good category. This study aims to assess physical activity and fitness during the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum. The research method used is a survey method. The sampling technique used in this study is purposive proportional sampling. The participants included 311 eighth-grade students from several public middle schools in the Kedungkandang District, Malang City. Data were collected using the Tes Kebugaran Jasmani Indonesia (TKJI) and a questionnaire recording students^ daily physical activities based on the FITT principles. The results showed that only 9.0% of male students and 1.9% of female students achieved a good fitness category. Most students engaged in physical activities less than three times a week, which is far below the WHO recommendations. This study emphasizes the need to increase the frequency of students^ physical activities and the critical role of teachers in facilitating regular physical activities. To support the achievement of the Merdeka Curriculum, direct monitoring of students^ physical activities through technologies such as heart rate monitors is recommended. These findings can be used as evaluation material and references for developing more effective PJOK learning.
