Aerobic Physical Activity and the Leadership of Principals

The purpose of this study was to explore if there was a connection between regular aerobic physical activity and the stress and energy levels of principals as they reported it. To begin the research, the current aerobic physical activity level of principals was discovered. Additionally, the energy and stress levels of the principals who do engage in aerobic physical activity on a regular basis, as well as those who do not, were determined. The conceptual framework for this study was based on the high-performance pyramid theory by Loehr and Schwarz (2001). They theorize that emotional health, mental acuity, and spirituality or a sense of purpose, are supported by physical well being, which is the foundation of the pyramid. When all of the levels are working in harmony, an individual is at his or her ideal performance state. This study used an Internet survey administered through Survey Monkey via e-mail by the Center for Educational Improvement (CEI), distributed to a national sample of their members, with a response rate of 26%. The data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages, as well as chi square and t tests. Percentages of responses were displayed to describe the data for particular questions that used a rating scale. Findings revealed the majority of principals (65.7%, n=73) do not engage in the recommended amount of aerobic physical activity and that most principals (56.7%, n=63) engage in aerobic physical activity two days or less per week. This study found the number of principals that engage in the recommended amount of aerobic physical activity and the energy and stress levels of principals that do and do not engage in regular aerobic physical activity. Now that we know the approximate amount of principals who engage in the recommended amount of aerobic physical activity, additional research in this area can be completed. This study indicates there is a need to further research the topic to find if principal leadership is or is not impacted by the amount of aerobic physical activity completed by the school principal