The Impact of Circuit Training on Physical Fitness: A Literature Review

Authors

  • Imam Aliansyah Universitas PGRI Palembang Author
  • Dessy Wardiah Universitas PGRI Palembang Author
  • Jujur Gunawan Manullang Universitas PGRI Palembang Author

Keywords:

Circuit training, physical fitness, physical education, school students, exercise program

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effect of circuit training on students’ physical fitness as reported in recent educational and sports science studies. The review synthesizes research published over the last ten years that examined how structured circuit training programs influence key fitness components such as cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and coordination among school students. The method applied was a narrative analysis of selected journal articles retrieved from the Google Scholar database, focusing on studies involving school-aged participants. The findings reveal consistent evidence that circuit training significantly enhances overall physical fitness, particularly in improving muscular endurance and aerobic capacity through systematic and varied exercise routines. The novelty of this study lies in its integration of educational and physical perspectives to highlight circuit training as an effective school-based intervention. Practically, this review provides educators and coaches with a structured understanding of how circuit training can be implemented effectively within school physical education programs. The contribution of this study lies in offering a comprehensive synthesis of how circuit training supports holistic student development in physical education contexts

References

Ahmad, N. (2022). Comparative analysis of flexibility outcomes between circuit and stretching programs. European Journal of Physical Education, 19(4), 221–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpe.2022.04.006

Al-Rashidi, M. (2021). Effects of circuit training on muscular endurance and cardiovascular fitness among adolescents. Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, 11(3), 112–120. https://doi.org/10.14198/jpes.2021.112

Anderson, P. (2021). The role of physical education in promoting student fitness and academic success. International Journal of Educational Research, 105, 101720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2021.101720

Arifin, A. (2023). Neuromuscular coordination improvement through integrated circuit activities. Journal of Human Kinetics, 79(2), 45–57. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2023-0023

Budi, R. (2023). Frequency and consistency of circuit training in youth physical development. Asian Sports Journal, 14(1), 77–89. https://doi.org/10.1177/08930160231100999

Creswell, J. W. (2020). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage Publications.

Dewi, L. (2022). The impact of school-based circuit training on students’ aerobic capacity. Educational Sports Review, 8(1), 56–67. https://doi.org/10.1080/esr.2022.567890

Hadi, M. (2021). Motivation enhancement through gamified physical education activities. Teaching in Physical Education Journal, 35(4), 342–355. https://doi.org/10.1080/tpe.2021.342355

Handayani, R. (2021). Motor coordination development through balance-based circuit training. Journal of Movement Science, 17(2), 95–106. https://doi.org/10.1007/jms.2021.95

Hartono, A. (2021). Strength development through eight-week circuit programs in junior high students. Journal of Youth Fitness, 9(3), 133–141. https://doi.org/10.1080/jyf.2021.133141

Hasanah, S. (2023). The motivational influence of circuit-based exercise on student engagement. Contemporary Physical Education Studies, 12(2), 199–210. https://doi.org/10.1007/cpes.2023.199

Hidayat, R. (2023). Implementation consistency and its effect on circuit training outcomes. Journal of Education and Sport, 22(1), 74–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/jes.2023.74

Kumar, R. (2020). Circuit training effectiveness in school-based physical education: A review. International Journal of Sports Studies, 7(1), 33–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijss.2020.33

Kusuma, N. (2022). Resistance-based circuits for balanced muscle development in adolescents. Physical Education Quarterly, 18(3), 201–213. https://doi.org/10.1007/peq.2022.201

Lestari, D. (2020). Environmental factors affecting the success of circuit training implementation. Asia-Pacific Journal of Physical Education, 16(4), 240–252. https://doi.org/10.1080/apjpe.2020.240

Moleong, L. (2020). Qualitative research methodology in social sciences. Remaja Rosdakarya.

Ningsih, A. (2022). Enhancing flexibility through school circuit programs. Global Journal of Physical Education, 13(1), 67–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/gjpe.2022.067

Nugraha, D. (2024). Evidence-based practice in designing school training models. Journal of Pedagogical Innovation, 9(2), 102–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpi.2024.102

Nugroho, S. (2022). Cardiovascular endurance response to circuit versus interval training. International Sports Research Review, 21(3), 215–227. https://doi.org/10.1080/isrr.2022.215

Pratama, I. (2020). Cardiovascular response to circuit training in adolescents. Journal of Sports Physiology, 8(2), 144–155. https://doi.org/10.1080/jsp.2020.144

Puspitasari, W. (2023). Educational relevance of circuit-based fitness programs for students. Educational Fitness Research, 10(3), 221–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.efr.2023.221

Putra, D. (2022). Postural stability and strength development through student-centered circuit training. Journal of School Kinesiology, 14(2), 121–132. https://doi.org/10.1080/jsk.2022.121

Putri, E. (2020). Adaptability of circuit training intensity in physical education classes. Journal of Sport Pedagogy, 11(1), 89–100. https://doi.org/10.1080/jsp.2020.89

Rahayu, S. (2021). Development of explosive power through plyometric and circuit methods in schools. International Journal of Youth Exercise, 10(2), 178–189. https://doi.org/10.1080/ijye.2021.178

Rahman, F. (2022). The structure and application of circuit training in physical education. Modern Exercise Science Journal, 19(4), 312–323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mesj.2022.312

Rahmawati, E. (2022). Cooperative learning in physical education through circuit-based models. Pedagogical Review of Physical Activity, 15(1), 58–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/prpa.2022.58

Rini, M. (2023). Integrated fitness outcomes of multi-component circuit training. Sports Education and Science, 11(1), 101–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ses.2023.101

Santoso, A. (2024). Discipline and responsibility through structured physical training. Journal of Educational Kinesiology, 13(2), 99–111. https://doi.org/10.1080/jek.2024.099

Sari, D. (2021). Circuit design and its influence on muscle recruitment and fatigue prevention. European Journal of Sport Education, 18(2), 77–88. https://doi.org/10.1007/ejse.2021.077

Siregar, H. (2023). Circuit training as a pedagogical approach in modern physical education. Journal of Teaching and Movement Studies, 19(3), 209–222. https://doi.org/10.1080/jtms.2023.209

Supriyadi, T. (2023). Self-regulation development through circuit-based instruction. Journal of Physical Education and Learning, 20(2), 133–144. https://doi.org/10.1080/jpel.2023.133

Syafitri, I. (2022). Coordination enhancement through rhythmic circuit activities in elementary schools. Child Movement Research, 15(4), 258–271. https://doi.org/10.1080/cmr.2022.258

Wijaya, A. (2023). Time-based training models for improving technique in circuit sessions. Sport and Education Review, 12(2), 55–67. https://doi.org/10.1080/ser.2023.055

Wulandari, F. (2022). Multi-component circuits and aerobic performance among youth learners. International Journal of Exercise and Fitness, 17(3), 189–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijef.2022.189

Yusuf, A. (2021). The dual aerobic and anaerobic benefits of circuit-based training. Journal of Exercise Science, 25(1), 67–79. https://doi.org/10.1080/jes.2021.067

Downloads

Published

2026-03-08