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Abstract
The decline in physical fitness among upper secondary school students poses a challenge for school physical education, especially in the development of skills such as strength and endurance. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a functional exercise program on these physical abilities. A quantitative approach was used with a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a single group. The sample consisted of upper secondary school “Dr. Máximo Agustín Rodríguez” with 30 students who underwent standardized tests of vertical jump, sit-ups in 60 seconds, and the Cooper test before and after an intervention based on functional exercises developed over several weeks with three weekly sessions. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, using Student's t-test for related samples. The results showed statistically significant increases in lower body strength, core strength, and aerobic endurance. It was concluded that the functional exercise program had a positive effect on improving the physical condition of students within the school context.
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