The Effect of the Sports Club Model on the Physical Fitness Improvement of Female Students at Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City

Introduction. The traditional physical education (PE) model faces challenges in engaging students actively. This study investigates the effectiveness of a sports club-based PE model in improving the physical fitness of female students at Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCMC). The primary objective is to assess the effect of this model on overall fitness development, compared to the conventional PE program. Material and methods. The study involved 128 healthy female students divided into an experimental group (EG, n = 68) and a control group (CG, n = 60). The EG participated in a sports club-based model, with activities ranging from Jianzi to volleyball, while the CG followed the standard PE curriculum. The study was conducted over a semester with both pre- and post-intervention fitness assessments. Fitness metrics, such as grip strength, sit-ups, standing long jump, and 30 m sprint, were evaluated using standardized testing methods. Results. After the intervention, the EG demonstrated significant improvements across all fitness tests compared to the CG. Notable gains were observed in sit-up performance (EG: 39.08%, CG: 23.71%) and grip strength (EG: 24.27%, CG: 15.23%). Reductions in sprint times and agility enhancements were also more pronounced in the EG, indicating the greater overall effect of the sports club model on physical fitness development. Conclusions. The sports club-based PE model offers a more engaging and effective approach to improving physical fitness in female university students. Its integration into the university curriculum could lead to broader health benefits and enhance students’ motivation towards regular physical activity.