A School-Based Physical Activity and Motor Development Program for Low-Fit Adolescent Females: The Sport4Fun Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jodie Andruschko ◽  
Anthony D. Okely ◽  
Phil Pearson

This study examined the feasibility and potential efficacy of a multi-faceted secondary school–based intervention among low-fit adolescent females. TheSport4Funprogram was designed to promote physical activity participation, fundamental movement skill proficiency, perceived physical competence, and enjoyment of physical activity in secondary school students. The intervention consisted of three components including two practical components—weekly movement skill activities for 90 min during compulsory school sport and sports-based activities for 60 min after school (non-compulsory) for 6 months—and one theoretical component—three 15-min theory sessions completed during homeroom (or roll call) time per week. The control group participated in their regular school activities. Compared with females in the control group, those in the intervention group showed a greater increase in total weekday accelerometer counts per min (adjusted difference, 77.49; 95% CI, 8.21–132.77;p = .03; Cohen’s d = 1.26). The difference in total fundamental movement skill components mastered favored the intervention group but was not statistically significant (adjusted difference, 1.48; 95% CI, −1.21–4.17;p = .26, Cohen’s d = 0.48). Targeting fundamental movement skills may be a potentially novel and motivating way to promote activity among low-fit adolescent girls; however, challenges in recruitment and implementation warrant further investigation before adopting this approach more broadly.

Author(s):  
Yao Zhang ◽  
Yi Yin ◽  
Jianxiu Liu ◽  
Ming Yang ◽  
Zeshi Liu ◽  
...  

Purpose: The current study was intended to assess the effect of a facilitated behavioral intervention based on the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) on psychological constructs and physical activity among adolescents over a period of eight weeks. Methods: Students (n = 51, 12 ± 0.3 years of age) in the seventh grade at a junior middle school in China were randomly assigned to two groups: the intervention group (n = 24) and the control group (n = 27). Both groups were pre- and post-tested with the related psychological constructs of the extended TPB, along with behavioral measures of the Physical Activity Scale and ActiGraph accelerometer (model wGT3X-BT). The intervention group took part in 45 min classes once per week for 8 weeks, including five indoor theoretical courses and three outdoor basketball matches. The control group was not required to make any change to their normal school day. Also, 2 × 2 repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to compare the differences between the two groups, and then t-test was employed to compare the independent and paired differences. Results: Significant increases in pre–post subjective norms (SN) (p = 0.041, Cohen’s d = 0.62), perceived behavior control (PBC) (p = 0.023, Cohen’s d = 0.72), exercise intention (EI) (p = 0.043, Cohen’s d = 0.61), and self-efficacy (SE) (p = 0.035, Cohen’s d = 1.36) were observed in the intervention group. In addition, participants in the intervention group increased their exercise frequency (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.25) and intensity (p = 0.028, Cohen’s d = 0.68), especially their time spent on light intensity physical activity (light-PA%; p = 0.031, Cohen’s d = 0.68), and their percentage of sedentary time (SB%) was also reduced (from 68% ± 10% to 58% ± 7%, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.17). Furthermore, the intervention group showed significantly better performance in PBC (p = 0.032, Cohen’s d = 0.62), EI (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.32), SE (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.15), SB% (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.22), light-PA% (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.12), and total physical activity (TPA) (p = 0.015, Cohen’s d = 0.72) compared to the control group at the post-test. No significant pre post differences were observed for any psychological or behavioral variables in the control group, except for exercise frequency, but the values were still lower than those in the intervention group after the 8-week intervention (3.70 ± 0.72 versus 3.92 ± 0.83). Conclusion: The combined theory-based intervention was effective at improving psychological constructs and physical activity among seventh-grade adolescents in 8 weeks.


Retos ◽  
2017 ◽  
pp. 179-184
Author(s):  
Emilio J Martinez-López ◽  
Jesús Moreno-Cerceda ◽  
Sara Suarez-Manzano ◽  
Alberto Ruiz-Ariza

Sustituir el tiempo sedentario por la práctica sistemática de actividad física (AF) es uno de los grandes retos  educativos y sociales dirigidos a jóvenes con sobrepeso-obesidad. El objetivo principal fue analizar el efecto en el índice de masa corporal (IMC) de un programa de AF extraescolar que empleó el pulsómetro como mecanismo para cuantificar el volumen e intensidad del ejercicio. Participaron 69 escolares con sobrepeso-obesidad de 9 a 12 años. La muestra se aleatorizó en grupo con programa y pulsómetro (GE1, n=23), grupo con solo programa (GE2, n=23), y grupo control que no realizó programa ni empleó pulsómetro (GC, n=23). Los resultados mostraron que GE1 había disminuido el IMC respecto al GC a los dos y tres meses de intervención (-1.65 kg/m2; p=.037, d de Cohen=.786; y -2.02 kg/m2, p=.006, d de Cohen=.895, respectivamente). GE1 incrementó significativamente el tiempo diario de intensidad máxima de AF medida por el pulsómetro (p=.028). El 86.9% y el 60.8% de los alumnos del GE1 y GE2 respectivamente afirmaron estar bastante o totalmente de acuerdo con el ítem “He comprobado que realizo más actividad física diaria que antes”. La mayoría de niños y padres del GE1 consideraron la experiencia como positiva y motivante para realizar más AF. Se concluye que un programa dirigido desde la Educación Física, que combina AF extraescolar y emplea el pulsómetro como mecanismo de control, disminuye el IMC en jóvenes con sobrepeso-obesidad después de dos meses de aplicación, aumenta la motivación por la práctica físico-deportiva, e implica cambios positivos en los hábitos de salud familiares. Abstract. Replacing sedentary time with systematic practice of PA is one of the major social and health challenges of globalized world. The main aim of this research was to analyze the effect of a program based on extracurricular PA, using heart rate monitor to quantify the volume and intensity of PA, on the body mass index (BMI). 69 young students with overweight-obesity aged nine to 12 years participated in this study. The sample was randomly split in two groups: PA program and heart rate monitor (EG1, n=23), PA program without heart rate monitor (EG2, n=23), and control group, whose members did not carry out any program nor used any heart rate monitor (CG, n=23). Results showed that GE1 decreased BMI more than CG after two and three months of intervention (-1.65 kg/m2; p=.037, Cohen’s d=.786; y -2.02 kg/m2, p=.006, Cohen’s d =.895, respectively). G1 significantly increased the daily time of PA at maximum intensity measured by the heart rate monitor (p=.028). 86.9% and 60.8% of students in EG1 and EG2 respectively, were quite or totally in agreement with the item "I have verified that I carry out more physical activity daily than before". The majority of children and parents in EG1 considered the experience as positive and motivating to practice more PA. A program focused on Physical Education and combining extracurricular PA and heart rate monitor as a control mechanism, decreases BMI in overweight-obese young students after two months of application, increases motivation towards PA and sport practice, and implies positive changes in family health habits.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tegwen Gadais ◽  
Theo Caron ◽  
Marie Belle Ayoub ◽  
Antony Karelis ◽  
Luc Nadeau

INTRODUCTION: Medium or long term intervention strategies on physical activity practice (PAP) need to be more effective in their implementation by practitioners. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of a teacher to implement the Team Pentathlon (TP) in order to improve the PAP in children. METHODS: 203 children (age: 10-13years), grades 5 and 6 (intervention group [IG] N = 104, control group [CG] N = 99) were guided to increase their PAP during an 8-week period by 5 elementary school teachers (physical education or classroom) who received 4 training sessions. Levels of PAP (self-reported) were compared between groups (IG/CG), sex, socioeconomic status of the schools and between teachers: baseline and during TP. RESULTS: Several teachers noted significant increases in PAP in the IG for both boys and girls (p&lt;.05 or p&lt;.01), whereas others found only small improvements in PAP. One teacher even observed higher PAP in the CG. Training session records revealed that the teacher himself, how the TP is implemented, and proper resources were the 3 elements that explained the successful implementation of the TP program. CONCLUSION: The implementation of the TP significantly increased the PAP in children. Training sessions helped teachers to implement the TP program but personal engagement, motivation, respecting protocol and adequate environment are necessary in improving the PAP of children.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasrin Soleimani ◽  
Mansoureh Refaei ◽  
Farideh Kazemi

Abstract Background: The World Health Organization states that mothers during labor and delivery should be supported by people with whom they feel comfortable, because one of the non-pharmacological methods of relieving labor pain is the continued support of midwives in labor. The primary objectives of this study were to determine the effect of continuous midwifery support in labor on delivery experience and self-esteem of nulliparous women 6 weeks after delivery.Methods: This randomized controlled trial was performed in 2021 on 70 pregnant women admitted to the delivery ward who met the inclusion criteria. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups through balanced block randomization with a block size of 4. Participants completed a demographic and midwifery information questionnaire before entering the study. In the intervention group, in addition to routine labor care, the researcher was present at the mother's bedside and was present with the mother continuously throughout the labor and up to 2 hours after delivery and provided the necessary support. The control group received only routine labor and postpartum care. Six weeks after delivery, participants in both groups were contacted to complete the CEQ and Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaires. Finally, data were collected and analyzed. Significance level was considered 0.05.Results: By controlling the effect of duration of the first and second stages of labor as potential confounders, the mean (sd) of childbirth experience 6 weeks after delivery was 70.92 (7.07) in the intervention group and 59.69 (7.08) in the control group, and this difference was statistically significant (p <0.001). The amount of effect size indicates a very strong effect of the intervention on improving the childbirth experience (Cohen’s d = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.26). Comparison of the mean of maternal self-esteem showed that this rate in the intervention group was 2 scores higher than the control group and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.05). Cohen's d indicates the average effect of intervention on mothers' self-esteem score (Cohen's d = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.06, 1.05).Conclusions: Continuous support of the midwife in labor and up to 2 hours after delivery can lead to a better childbirth experience and increase the mother's self-esteem up to 6 weeks after delivery.Trial registration: IRCT ID: IRCT20201102049233N1, First Registration date: 2021-06-04


Author(s):  
Ye ◽  
Pope ◽  
Lee ◽  
Gao

Background: Modern-day technology is appealing to children. Few studies, however, have conducted longitudinal analyses of a school-based exergaming program’s effect on physical activity (PA) behaviors and fitness in children. Therefore, this study examined the longitudinal effect of an 8-month school-based exergaming intervention on children’s objectively-measured PA and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Materials and Methods: Eighty-one fourth grade students (X̅age = 9.23 ± 0.62; 39 girls; 54.3% African American, 30.9% Non-Hispanic White, 14.8% other) participated in this study from 2014–2015. The intervention school’s children participated in a once-weekly 50-minute exergaming intervention during recess throughout the school year, while the control school continued regular recess. Children’s in-school PA and sedentary behavior (SB) were measured with ActiGraphGT3X+ accelerometers, with CRF assessed via the half-mile run. All measurements were taken at baseline, mid-intervention (four months) and post-intervention (eight months). Repeated-measures two-way ANCOVAs using age and race as covariates were conducted to examine between-school differences over time for SB, light PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and CRF. Results: Significant time by group interactions were observed for LPA, F(1, 79) = 7.82, η2 = 0.09, p < 0.01, and MVPA, F(1, 79) = 4.58, η2 = 0.06, p < 0.05, as LPA increased among the control group, while MVPA increased among intervention group. Children in both groups experienced decreased SB during the intervention (intervention: −7.63 minutes; control: −17.59 minutes), but demonstrated lower CRF over time (intervention: +46.73 seconds; control: +61.60 seconds). Conclusions: Observations suggested that school-based exergaming implementation may be effective in increasing children’s MVPA and decreasing their SB over the course an academic year (i.e., ~eight months). More research is needed, however, to discern how modifications to school-based exergaming might also promote improved CRF in children.


Author(s):  
Tegwen Gadais ◽  
Theo Caron ◽  
Marie-Belle Ayoub ◽  
Antony Karelis ◽  
Luc Nadeau

Medium- or long-term intervention strategies for physical activity practice (PAP) need to be more effective in terms of their implementation by practitioners. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of a teacher to implement the Team Pentathlon (TP) in order to improve the PAP in primary children. TP is a health education program made to improve PAP of children through individual and collective achievements. In this study, 203 children (age: 10–13 years) in grades 5 and 6 (intervention group (IG) N = 104, control group (CG) N = 99) were guided to increase their PAP during an eight-week period by five elementary school teachers (physical education or classroom) who had received four training sessions. Levels of PAP (self-reported) were compared between groups (IG/CG), sex, socioeconomic status of the schools and between teachers: baseline and during TP. Several teachers noted significant increases in PAP in the IG for both boys and girls (p ≤ 0.05 or p < 0.01), whereas others found only small improvements in PAP. One teacher even observed higher PAP in the CG. Training session records revealed that the teacher himself, how the TP is implemented, and proper resources were the three elements that explained the successful implementation of the TP program. The implementation of the TP significantly increased the PAP in primary children. Training sessions helped teachers to implement the TP program but personal engagement, motivation, respecting protocol, and an adequate environment are also necessary in improving the PAP of children.


Author(s):  
Filip Christiansen ◽  
Viktor H. Ahlqvist ◽  
Mikaela Nyroos ◽  
Hans Löfgren ◽  
Daniel Berglind

Schools are an important arena to curb the decline in physical activity (PA) in youth. School-based interventions with accelerometer-measured PA are warranted. This study aimed to increase accelerometer-measured PA in adolescents following a 12-month school-based intervention. Two school-classes of 16–18-year-old Swedish students were allocated to intervention group and control group. Accelerometer-measured PA was gathered at baseline, 6- and 12-month follow-up. Mixed-effects linear regression was used to investigate between-group and within-group differences in mean minutes per day (min/day) of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), light PA (LPA) and sedentary time (ST). Fifty-seven students participated (intervention group = 31, control group = 26). At 12-month follow-up, the intervention group performed 5.9 (95% CI: −4.3, 16.2) min/day more in MVPA, 1.8 (95% CI: −17.9, 14.2) min/day less in LPA, and 4.1 (95% CI: −27.3, 19.2) min/day less in ST compared to the control group. Within the intervention group, there was no significant change in PA. Within the control group, LPA decreased (95% CI: −19.6, −0.2; p = 0.044) and ST increased (95% CI: 1.8, 30.8; p = 0.028). Although no between-group differences in PA were statistically significant, the within-group changes may suggest a preventive impact on the decline in PA during adolescence.


2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Virgílio Gomes de Barros ◽  
Markus Vinicius Nahas ◽  
Pedro Curi Hallal ◽  
José Cazuza de Farias Júnior ◽  
Alex Antônio Florindo ◽  
...  

Background:We evaluated the effectiveness of a school-based intervention on the promotion of physical activity among high school students in Brazil: the Saude na Boa project.Methods:A school-based, randomized trial was carried out in 2 Brazilian cities: Recife (northeast) and Florianopolis (south). Ten schools in each city were matched by size and location, and randomized into intervention or control groups. The intervention included environmental/organizational changes, physical activity education, and personnel training and engagement. Students age 15 to 24 years were evaluated at baseline and 9 months later (end of school year).Results:Although similar at baseline, after the intervention, the control group reported significantly fewer d/wk accumulating 60 minutes+ moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in comparison with the intervention group (2.6 versus 3.3, P < .001). The prevalence of inactivity (0 days per week) rose in the control and decreased in the intervention group. The odds ratio for engaging at least once per week in physical activity associated with the intervention was 1.83 (95% CI = 1.24–2.71) in the unadjusted analysis and 1.88 (95% CI = 1.27–2.79) after controlling for gender.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo Anne Saw ◽  
Cai Lian Tam ◽  
Vanlal Thanzami ◽  
Gregory Bonn

This study investigates the effectiveness of the school-based Shine Through Any Roadblocks (STAR) CBT intervention, by a screening conducted on 634 students from eight secondary schools in Malaysia. Participants (n = 85) who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were assigned randomly to either the intervention group (n = 42) or the assessment-only waitlist control group (n = 43). The intervention consisted of eight group-based sessions over a period of 2 months. Sessions were 60-min each and conducted according to the STAR module. Outcome measures (depressive symptoms and automatic negative thoughts) were administered at five intervals: baseline/pre-intervention, mid-intervention, post-intervention, 1-month after intervention, and 3-months after intervention. Results showed significant and lasting lower levels of depressive symptoms and automatic negative thoughts in the intervention group, indicating that the STAR intervention could be an effective means of reducing depressive symptomatology among adolescents. Clinical implications for the Malaysian secondary school context are further discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 122 (9) ◽  
pp. 1073-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele R. Sgambato ◽  
Diana B. Cunha ◽  
Bárbara S. N. Souza ◽  
Viviana T. Henriques ◽  
Renata R. M. Rodrigues ◽  
...  

AbstractMany school-based interventions for obesity prevention have been proposed with positive changes in behaviour, but with unsatisfactory results on weight change. The objective was to verify the effectiveness of a combined school- and home-based obesity prevention programme on excessive weight gain in adolescents. Teachers delivered the school-based primary prevention programme to fifth- and sixth-graders (nine schools, forty-eight control classes, forty-nine intervention classes), which included encouraging healthy eating habits and physical activity. A subgroup of overweight or obese adolescents also received a home-based secondary prevention programme delivered by community health professionals. Schools were randomised to intervention or control group. Intent-to-treat analysis used mixed models for repeated continuous measures and considered the cluster effect. The main outcomes were changes in BMI and percentage body fat (%body fat) after one school-year of intervention and follow-up. Against our hypothesis, BMI increased more in the intervention group than in the control group (Δ = 0·3 kg/m2; P = 0·05) with a greater decrease in %body fat among boys (Δ = –0·6 %; P = 0·03) in the control group. The intervention group increased physical activity by 12·5 min per week compared with the control group. Female adolescents in the intervention group ate healthier items more frequently than in the control group. The subgroup that received both the school and home interventions had an increase in %body fat than in the control group (Δ = 0·89 %; P = 0·01). In the present study, a behavioural change led to a small increase in physical activity and healthy eating habits but also to an overall increase in food intake.


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