Body Response of Class 2022 Students after 2 Semesters of Study in the Physical Education Study Program Faculty of Sports and Health Gorontalo State University

This study aims to examine the physiological responses of first-year Physical Education students at Universitas Negeri Gorontalo after completing two semesters of academic coursework. The research employed a descriptive quantitative approach with evaluative characteristics. Data were collected using the multistage 20-meter shuttle run test (bleep test), which estimates maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) and cardiovascular fitness. A total of 74 students participated in the study, consisting of 63 male and 11 female students. The results revealed a significant increase in VO₂max among male students, with the mean value rising from 31.06 to 33.97. Furthermore, individual variability increased, as indicated by a rise in variance from 21.83 to 34.81. In contrast, no significant differences were observed in the female cohort; their average VO₂max values remained relatively stable (from 23.14 to 23.82), with variance decreasing slightly from 8.30 to 6.81. These findings suggest that male students experienced notable improvements in aerobic fitness after two semesters, likely due to the structured combination of theoretical and practical coursework. However, the lack of change among female students may reflect a need for more targeted interventions. This study provides essential insights into how physical education curricula impact physiological development and offers implications for future sports science pedagogy. Keywords: aerobic fitness, bleep test, physical education, physiological response, VO₂max