Effects of a School-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Obesity and Health-Related Physical Fitness in Adolescents With Intellectual Disability: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Childhood obesity accompanied by lower levels of health-related physical fitness (HRPF) is a major threat to public health both internationally and locally. Children with intellectual disability, especially adolescents, have a higher risk of being overweight/obese and having poor HRPF levels. Therefore, more interventions are needed to help this population attain their optimal health levels. However, there has been relatively limited research on this population compared with on their typically developing peers. Objective The proposed study aims to fill this knowledge gap by developing and examining the success of a physical activity (PA) intervention for the target population. Methods The proposed study will be a 12-week, school-based randomized controlled trial. The participants (N=48) will be recruited from special schools for students with mild intellectual disability and then randomly allocated to either the intervention group (IG) or the wait-list control group (CG). During the intervention period, the participants in the IG will receive a fun game–based moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) training program (2 sessions/week, 60 minutes/session, for a total of 24 sessions). The intensity of the activities will increase in a progressive manner. Participants in the CG will receive no program during the study period, but the same PA program will be provided to them after the completion of the study. To observe and evaluate the sustaining effects of the intervention, follow-up testing will be scheduled for the participants 12 weeks after the intervention concludes. The study outcomes will include primary outcomes (obesity- and fitness-related outcomes) and a secondary outcome (blood pressure). All of the measurements will be taken at 3 time points. After the follow-up tests, the same PA training program will be provided to the participants in the CG. Results This study is ongoing. The participants were recruited from October 2020 to November 2020. The total duration of the study is 13 months. Study results are expected at the end of 2021. Conclusions The proposed study is expected to reduce obesity and improve HRPF levels in children with intellectual disability. If proven effective, the intervention will be made accessible to more special schools and mainstream schools with students with intellectual disability. Furthermore, the study can serve as an example for international researchers, policy makers, and members of the public who are seeking to tackle the problem of obesity and poor HRPF among children with intellectual disability. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04554355; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04554355 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/25838

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Effects of a school-based physical activity intervention for fatness and health-related physical fitness in adolescents with intellectual disability: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.25838 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Aiwei Wang ◽

Yang Gao ◽

Jingjing Wang ◽

Tomas K. Tong ◽

Yan Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Intellectual Disability ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Training Programme ◽

Special Schools ◽

School Based ◽

Study Results ◽

Health Related

BACKGROUND Childhood obesity accompanied with lower levels of health-related physical fitness (HRPF) is a major threat to public health both internationally and locally. Children with intellectual disability (ID), especially adolescents, have a higher risk of being overweight/obese and having poor HRPF levels. More interventions, therefore, are needed to help this population attain their optimal health levels. However, there has been limited research on this population compared with studies designed for their typically developing (TD) peers. OBJECTIVE The proposed study aims to fill this knowledge gap by developing and examining the success of a physical activity (PA) intervention for the target population. METHODS The proposed study will be a school-based randomised controlled trial lasting for 12 weeks. The participants (N=48) will be recruited from special schools for students with mild ID and then randomly allocated to either the intervention group (IG) or the waiting-list control group (CG). During the intervention period, the participants in the IG will receive a fun, game-based moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) training programme (twice/week, 60-min/session, a total of 24 sessions). The intensity of the activities will increase in a progressive manner. Those in the CG will receive no intervention. To observe and evaluate the sustaining effects of the intervention, follow-up testing will be scheduled for the participants 12 weeks after the intervention concludes. The study outcomes will include primary outcomes (fatness-related outcomes and fitness-related outcomes) and secondary outcomes (blood pressure). All of the measurements will be taken three times. After the follow-up tests, the same PA training programme will be provided to the participants in the CG. RESULTS This study is ongoing. The participants were recruited from October 2020 to November 2020. Total duration of the study is 13 months. Study results are expected at the end of 2021. CONCLUSIONS The proposed study is expected to reduce fatness and improve HRPF levels in children with ID. If proven effective, the intervention will be made accessible to more special schools and mainstream schools with students with ID. Furthermore, the study can serve as an example for international researchers, policymakers and the public who are seeking to tackle the problem of obesity and poor HRPF among children with ID. CLINICALTRIAL This trial is prospectively registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov PRS (Trial ID: NCT04554355; Date of First Posted: September 17, 2020).

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Effectiveness of a psychological online training to promote physical activity among students: protocol of a randomized-controlled trial

Trials ◽

10.1186/s13063-021-05333-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lena Violetta Krämer ◽

Nadine Eschrig ◽

Lena Keinhorst ◽

Luisa Schöchlin ◽

Lisa Stephan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Web Based ◽

Intention To Treat ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Link Type

Abstract Background Many students in Germany do not meet recommended amounts of physical activity. In order to promote physical activity in students, web-based interventions are increasingly implemented. Yet, data on effectiveness of web-based interventions in university students is low. Our study aims at investigating a web-based intervention for students. The intervention is based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA), which discriminates between processes of intention formation (motivational processes) and processes of intention implementation (volitional processes). Primary outcome is change in physical activity; secondary outcomes are motivational and volitional variables as proposed by the HAPA as well as quality of life and depressive symptoms. Methods A two-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT) of parallel design is conducted. Participants are recruited via the internet platform StudiCare (www.studicare.com). After the baseline assessment (t1), participants are randomized to either intervention group (immediate access to web-based intervention) or control group (access only after follow-up assessment). Four weeks later, post-assessment (t2) is performed in both groups followed by a follow-up assessment (t3) 3 months later. Assessments take place online. Main outcome analyses will follow an intention-to-treat principle by including all randomized participants into the analyses. Outcomes will be analysed using a linear mixed model, assuming data are missing at random. The mixed model will include group, time, and the interaction of group and time as fixed effects and participant and university as random effect. Discussion This study is a high-quality RCT with three assessment points and intention-to-treat analysis meeting the state-of-the-art of effectiveness studies. Recruitment covers almost 20 universities in three countries, leading to high external validity. The results of this study will be of great relevance for student health campaigns, as they reflect the effectiveness of self-help interventions for young adults with regard to behaviour change as well as motivational and volitional determinants. From a lifespan perspective, it is important to help students find their way into regular physical activity. Trial registration The German clinical trials register (DRKS) DRKS00016889. Registered on 28 February 2019

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Promoting Resilience in Children with Intellectual Disability: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Australian Schools

The Springer Series on Human Exceptionality - Resilience Interventions for Youth in Diverse Populations ◽

10.1007/978-1-4939-0542-3_16 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 353-373 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Linda Gilmore ◽

Marilyn Campbell ◽

Ian Shochet ◽

Robyn Garland ◽

Tanya Smyth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Intellectual Disability ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Children With Intellectual Disability

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Effectiveness of a school-based physical activity-related injury prevention program on risk behavior and neuromotor fitness a cluster randomized controlled trial

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity ◽

10.1186/1479-5868-7-9 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 9 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Dorine CM Collard ◽

Mai JM Chinapaw ◽

Evert ALM Verhagen ◽

Ingrid Bakker ◽

Willem van Mechelen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Injury Prevention ◽

Risk Behavior ◽

Prevention Program ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

School Based ◽

Injury Prevention Program ◽

Cluster Randomized

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Efficacy of task-specific circuit training on physical activity levels and mobility of stroke patients: A randomized controlled trial

Neurorehabilitation ◽

10.3233/nre-203207 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 451-462

Author(s):

Júlia Caetano Martins ◽

Sylvie Nadeau ◽

Larissa Tavares Aguiar ◽

Aline Alvim Scianni ◽

Luci Fuscaldi Teixeira-Salmela ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Secondary Outcomes ◽

Experimental Group

BACKGROUND: Impaired mobility is related to low physical activity (PA) levels observed after stroke. Therapeutic approaches, such as task-specific circuit training (TSCT), used to improve mobility in individuals with stroke, could also improve PA levels. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of TSCT, focused on both upper (UL) and lower (LL) limbs, in improving PA levels and mobility (primary outcomes), as well as muscle strength, exercise capacity, and quality of life (secondary outcomes) in subjects with stroke. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with 36 subjects with chronic stroke was conducted. Experimental group: TSCT, involving both UL and LL. Control group: global stretching, memory exercises, and education sessions. Both groups received 60 minute sessions/week over 12 weeks. Outcomes were measured at baseline, post-intervention and 16 week follow-up. RESULTS: No changes were found for primary and secondary outcomes (0.11≤p≤0.99), except for quality of life, which improved in the experimental group post-intervention and 16 week follow-up (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: TSCT focused on both UL and LL was not effective on PA levels and mobility of individuals with chronic stroke, however, improvements in quality of life were observed. Since this is the first study to investigate this combined training aimed at improving PA levels, future studies are necessary to better understand the impact of this type of intervention.

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