2025, Vol. 12, Issue 6, Part C

Cardiovascular endurance is an essential aspect of physical fitness that directly affects health, academic achievement, and engagement in physical activities in teenagers. Educational institutions, including public and private schools, vary significantly in resources, infrastructure, and curriculum focus on physical education, potentially affecting students' endurance levels. The objective of this study was to examine the cardiovascular endurance of children from government and private schools to see if the kind of school significantly influences aerobic fitness. A cross-sectional design was employed using a sample of 120 students aged 13 to 16 years, evenly distributed across government (n = 60) and private (n = 60) schools. Cardiovascular endurance was assessed by the 20-meter shuttle run test, and VO₂max values were determined. Data were examined utilizing descriptive statistics and an independent samples t-test at a significance level of 0.05. Students from private schools had superior mean VO₂max values (41.15±4.08 ml/kg/min) in contrast to those from government schools (38.42±4.21 ml/kg/min). The difference was statistically significant (t (118) = -3.51, p < 0.001). The data suggest that private school pupils have enhanced cardiovascular endurance, presumably owing to increased access to organized physical education programs and improved facilities. The study suggests that educational environments substantially influence cardiovascular endurance in teenagers. Improving facilities, supplying qualified physical education instructors, and including organized physical exercise in government schools are crucial for closing this fitness disparity. Future study should investigate the impact of socio-economic status, diet, and lifestyle variables on the development of endurance.