Improving the fitness and physical activity levels of primary school children: Results of the Fit-4-Fun group randomized controlled trial

Preventive Medicine

Volumn 56, Issue 1, 2013, Pages 12-19

  Eather, Narelle ^a,b   Morgan, Philip J ^a,b   Lubans, David R ^a,b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE   (Australia)

^b UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE   (Australia)

Author keywords

Children; Health related physical fitness; Intervention; Physical activity; School

Indexed keywords

ARTICLE; BASKETBALL; BODY MASS; CHILD; CONTROLLED STUDY; FEMALE; FITNESS; FOLLOW UP; HUMAN; MAJOR CLINICAL STUDY; MALE; MUSCLE FUNCTION; OUTCOME ASSESSMENT; PEDOMETRY; PHYSICAL ACTIVITY; PILOT STUDY; PRIMARY SCHOOL; PRIORITY JOURNAL; SCHOOL CHILD; STANDING;

CHILD; EXERCISE; FEMALE; HEALTH PROMOTION; HUMANS; MALE; NEW SOUTH WALES; PHYSICAL FITNESS; PROGRAM EVALUATION;

EID: 84871947202     PISSN: 00917435     EISSN: 10960260     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.10.019     Document Type: Article

References (84)

1. ACHPER Australian fitness education award: Teacher's handbook and curriculum ideas. The Australian Council of Health Physical Education and Recreation 2004, (South Australia). 2nd ed.
2. AHKC Is active play extinct? The Active Healthy Kids Canada 2012 Report Card on physical activity for children and youth 2012, Active Healthy Kids Canada, Toronto.
3. Artero E.G., Ruiz J.R., Ortega F.B., et al. Muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness are independently associated with metabolic risk in adolescents: the HELENA study. Pediatr. Diabetes 2011, 12:704-712.
4. Bandura A. Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A social-cognitive theory 1986, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
5. Boddy L.M., Fairclough S.J., Atkinson G., Stratton G. Changes in cardiorespiratory fitness in 9- to 10.9-year-old children: SportsLinx 1998-2010. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2012, 44:481-486.
6. Booth M.L., Denney-Wilson E., Okely A.D., Hardy L.L. Methods of the NSW Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (SPANS). J. Sci. Med. Sport 2005, 8:284-293.
7. Cale L., Harris J. Fitness testing in physical education - a misdirected effort in promoting healthy lifestyles and physical activity?. Phys. Educ. Sports Pedagog. 2009, 14:89-108.
8. Castro-Pinero J., Ortega F.B., Artero E.G., Girela-Rejon M.J., Mora J., Sjostrom M. Assessing muscular strength in youth: usefulness of the standing long jump as a general index of muscular fitness. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2010, 24:1810-1817.
9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention School health guidelines to promote healthy eating and physical activity. MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 2011, 60:1-76.
10. Chromitz V.R., McGowan R.J., Wendel J.M., et al. Healthy Living Cambridge Kids: a community-based participatory effort to promote healthy weight and fitness. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2010, 18(Suppl. 1):S45-S53.
11. Cole T.J., Bellizzi M.C., Flegal K.M., Dietz W.H. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: international survey. Br. Med. J. 2000, 320:1240-1249.
12. Crawford D. The Future of Sport in Australia 2009, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.
13. Currie C., Gabhainn S.N., Godeau E. Inequalities in young people's Health: HBSC international report from the 2005/6 survey. Health policy for children and adolescents (No.5) 2008, WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark.
14. Derri V., Aggeloussis N., Petraki C. Health-related fitness and nutritional practices: can they be enhanced in upper elementary school students?. Phys. Educ. 2004, 61:35-44.
15. Dobbins M., De Corby K., Husson H., Robeson P., Tirilis D. School-based physical activity programs for promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents aged 6-18 (Review). Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 2009, 1-108.
16. Eather N., Morgan P.J., Lubans D.R. Improving health-related fitness in children: the Fit-4-Fun randomized controlled trial study protocol. BMC Publ. Health 2011, 11.
17. Eather N., Morgan P.J., Lubans D.R. Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the Fit4Fun intervention for improving physical fitness in a sample of primary school children: a pilot study. Phys. Educ. Sports Pedagog. 2012, 10.1080/17408989.2012.690375.
18. Ekelund U., Tomkinson G., Armstrong N. What proportion of youth are physically active? Measurement issues, levels and recent time trends. Br. J. Sports Med. 2011, 45:859-865.
19. Faigenbaum A.D., Farrell A.C., Radler T., et al. Plyo Play: a novel program of short bouts of moderate and high intensity exercise improves physical fitness in elementary school children. Phys. Educ. 2009, 66:1-7.
20. Fairclough S.J., Stratton G. Physical activity levels in middle and high school physical education: a review. Pediatr. Exerc. Sci. 2005, 17:217-236.
21. Gore C.J. Physiological Tests for Elite Athletes 2000, Human Kinetics, South Australia.
22. Gorely T., Morris J.G., Musson H., Brown S., Nevill A., Nevill M.E. Physical activity and body composition outcomes of the GreatFun2Run intervention at 20 month follow-up. Int. J. Behav. Nutr. Phys. Act. 2011, 8:74-85.
23. Gorely T., Nevill M., Morris J., Stensel D., Nevill A. Effect of a school-based intervention to promote healthy lifestyles in 7-11year old children. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2009, 6:5.
24. Graf C., Koch B., Falkowski G., et al. School-based prevention: effects on obesity and physical performance after 4 years. J. Sports Sci. 2008, 26:987-994.
25. Grissom J.B. Physical fitness and academic achievement. J. Exerc. Physiol. Online 2005, 8:11-25.
26. Hardy L.L., King L., Espinel P., Cosgrove C., Bauman A. NSW Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (SPANS) 2010: Full Report 2010, NSW Ministry of Health, Sydney.
27. Harris K.C., Kuramoto L.K., Schulzer M., Retallack J.E. Effect of school-based physical activity interventions on body mass index in children: a meta-analysis. Can. Med. Assoc. J. 2009, 180:719-726.
28. Harter S. Manual for the Self-perception Profile for Children 1985, University of Denver, Denver, CO.
29. Huberty J., Siahpush M., Beighle A. Ready for Recess: a pilot study to increase the physical activity in elementary school children. J. Sch. Health 2011, 81:251-257.
30. Hutchens J.G., Colson J.M., Farley R.S., Renfrow M.S., Seguin E.P. The impact of a pilot community intervention on health-related fitness measures in overweight children. Int. J. Exerc. Sci. 2010, 3:149-156.
31. IUHPE Achieving Health Promoting Schools: Guidelines for Promoting Health in Schools 2008, 1-4. International Union for Health Promotion, Cedex, France.
32. Jago R., Froberg K., Cooper A. Three-year changes in fitness and adiposity are independently associated with cardiovascular risk factors among young Danish children. J. Phys. Act. Health 2010, 7:37-44.
33. Jansseen I., LeBlanc A.G. Systematic review of the health benefits of physical activity and fitness in school-aged children and youth. Int. J. Behav. Nutr. Phys. Act. 2010, 7:1-49.
34. Katz D.L., Cushman D., Reynolds J.R., Njike V., Treu J.A., Walker J., Smith E., Katz C. Putting physical activity where it fits in the school day: preliminary results of the ABC (Activity Bursts in the Classroom) for Fitness Program. Prev. Chronic. Dis. 2010, vol. 7:1-10.
35. Kolle E., Steene-Johannessen J., Anderson L.B., Anderssen S.A. Objectively assessed physical activity and aerobic fitness in a population-based sample of Norwegian 9- and 15-year-olds. Scand. J. Med. Sports Sci. 2009, 20:e41-e47.
36. Kriemler S., Zahner L., Schindler C., Meyer H.E., Hartmann T., Hebestreit H., Brunner-La Rocca H.P., Van Mechelen W., Puder J.J. Effects of a school-based physical activity programme (KISS) on fitness and adiposity in primary school children: cluster randomised controlled trail. BMJ 2010, c2968.
37. Kriemler S., Meyer U., Martin E., Van Sluijs E.M.F., Andersen L.B., Martin B.W. Effect of school-based interventions on physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents: a review of reviews and systematic update. Br. J. Sports Med. 2011, 45:923-930.
38. 2max. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 1982, 49:1-12.
39. Lubans D.R., Morgan P.J., Callister R., Collins C.E. Effects of integrating pedometers, parental materials, and E-mail support within an extracurricular school sport intervention. J. Adolesc. Health 2009, 44:176-183.
40. Lubans D.R., Morgan P.J., Dewar D., et al. The Nutrition and Enjoyable Activity for Teen Girls NEAT girls) randomized controlled trial for adolescent girls from disadvantaged secondary schools: rationale, study protocol, and baseline results. BMC Publ. Health 2010, 10:652.
41. Lubans D.R., Morgan P.J., Aguiar E.J., Callister R. Randomized controlled trial of the Physical Activity Leaders (PALs) program for adolescent boys from disadvantaged secondary schools. Prev. Med. 2011, 52:239-246.
42. Lubans D.R., Morgan P.J., Callister R. Potential moderators and mediators of intervention effects in an obesity prevention program for adolescent boys from disadvantaged schools. J. Sci. Med. 2012, 15:519-525.
43. Mackenzie B. 101 Performance Evaluation Tests 2005, Jonathan Pye, London.
44. Magnusson C.G., Schmid M., Dwyer T., Venn A. Muscular fitness and clustered cardiovascular disease risk in Australian youth. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol 2011, Springer-Verlag.
45. Magnusson K.T., Hrafnkelsson H., Sigurgeirsson I., Johannsson E., Sveinsson T. Limited effects of a 2-year school-based physical activity intervention on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness in 7-year-old children. Health Educ. Res. 2012, 27:484-494.
46. Mallinckrodt C.H., Watkin J.G., Molenberghs G., Carroll R.J., Lilly E. Choice of the primary analysis in longitudinal clinical trials. Pharm. Stat. 2004, 3:161-169.
47. McKenzie T.L., Sallis J.F., Faucette N., Roby J.J., Kolody B. Effects of a curriculum and inservice program on the quantity and quality of elementary physical education classes. Res. Q. Exerc. Sport 1993, 64:178-187.
48. McKenzie T.L., Alcaraz J., Sallis J.F. Assessing children's liking for activity units in an elementary school physical education curriculum. J. Teach. Phys. Educ. 1994, 13:206-215.
49. McKenzie T.L., Feldman H., Woods S.E., et al. Children's activity levels and lesson context during third-grade physical education. Res. Q. Exerc. Sport 1995, 66:184-193.
50. McKenzie T.L., Stone E.J., Feldman H.A., et al. Effects of the CATCH physical education intervention: teacher type and lesson location. Am. J. Prev. Med. 2001, 21:101-109.
51. McMurray R.G., Anderson L.B. The influence of exercise on metabolic syndrome in youth: a review. Am. J. Lifesytyle Med. 2010, 4:176-186.
52. McNamara E., Hudson Z., Taylor S.J.C. Measuring activity levels of young people: the validity of pedometers. Br. Med. Bull. 2010, 95:121-137.
53. Moher D., Hopewell S., Schultz K.F., et al. CONSORT 2010 explanation and elaboration: updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomised trials. BMJ 2010, 340.
54. Morgan P.J., Hansen V. Recommendations to improve primary school physical education: the classroom teacher's perspective the classroom teacher's perception. J. Educ. Res. 2007, 101:99-112.
55. Morgan P.J., Hansen V. Classroom teachers' perceptions of the impact of barriers to teaching physical education on the quality of physical education programs. Res. Q. Exerc. Sport 2008, 79:506-516.
56. Morgan P.J., Hansen V. Physical education in primary schools: classroom teachers' perceptions of benefits and outcomes. Health Educ. J. 2008, 67:196-207.
57. Must A., Andersen L.B. Body mass index in children and adolescents: considerations for population-based applications. Int. J. Obes. 2006, 30:590-594.
58. Ortega F.B., Ruiz R.J., Castillo M.J., Sjostrom M. Pediatric review: physical fitness in childhood and adolescence: a powerful marker of health. Int. J. Obes. 2008, 32:1-11.
59. Ortega F.B., Labayen I., Ruiz J.R., Kurvinen E., Loit H.M., Harro J., Veidebaum T., Sjostrom M. Improvements in fitness reduce the risk of becoming overweight across puberty. Med. Sports Sci. 2011, 43:1891-1897.
60. Parfitt G., Pavey T., Rowlands A.V. Children's physical activity and psychological health: the relevance of intensity. Acta Paediatr. 2009, 98:1037-1043.
61. Peralta L.R. Promoting healthy lifestyles among adolescent boys: the fitness improvement and lifestyle awareness program RCT. Prev. Med. 2009, 48:537-542.
62. Resaland G.K., Andersen L.B., Mamen A., Andersen S.A. Effects of a 2 year school-based daily physical activity intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness: the Sogndal school-intervention study. Scand. J. Med. Sports Sci. 2009, 21:302-309.
63. Ridgers N.D., Fairclough S.J., Stratton G. Twelve-month effects of a playground intervention on children's morning and lunchtime recess physical activity levels. J. Phys. Act. Health 2010, 7:167-175.
64. Ridgers N.D., Timperio A., Crawford D., Salmon J. Five-year changes in school recess and lunchtime and the contribution to children's daily physical activity. Br. J. Sports Med. 2012, 46:741-746.
65. Robbins L.B., Pender N.J., Ronis D.L., Kazanis A.S. Physical activity, self-efficacy, and perceived exertion among adolescents. Res. Nurs. Health 2004, 27:435-446.
66. Sallis J.F., McKenzie T.L., Alcaraz J.E., Kolody B., Faucette N., Hovell M.F. The effects of a 2-year physical education program (SPARK) on physical activity and fitness in elementary school students. Am. J. Public Health 1997, 1329-1334. (August 1997).
67. Samson A., Solmon M. Examining the sources of self-efficacy for physical activity within the sport and exercise domains. Int. Rev. Sport Exerc. Psychol. 2011, 4:70-89.
68. Schneider P.L., Crouter S.E., Lukajic O. Accuracy and reliability of 10 pedometers for measuring steps over a 400-m walk. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2003, 35:1179-1184.
69. Slawta J.N., DeNeui D. Be a Fit Kid: nutrition and physical activity for the fourth grade. Health Promot. Pract. 2010, 11:522-529.
70. Steene-Johannessen J., Anderssen S.A., Kolle E., Andersen L.B. Low muscle fitness is associated with metabolic risk in youth. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2009, 41:1361-1367.
71. Stone E.J., McKenzie T.L., Welk G.J. Effects of physical activity interventions in youth: review and synthesis. Am. J. Prev. Med. 1998, 15:298-315.
72. Stratton G., Mullan E. The effect of multicolor playground markings on children's physical activity level during recess. Prev. Med. 2005, 41:828-833.
73. Stratton G., Canoy D., Boddy L.M., Taylor S.R., Hackett A.F., Buchan I.E. Cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index of 9-11-year-old English children: a serial cross-sectional study from 1998 to 2004. Int. J. Obes. 2007, 31:1172-1178.
74. Sveinsson T., Arngrimsson S.A., Johannsson E. Associations between aerobic fitness, body composition and physical activity in 9-and 15-year-olds. Eur. J. Sport Sci. 2009, 9:141-150.
75. Thivel D., Isacco L., Lazaar N., et al. Effect of a 6-month school-based physical activity program on body composition and physical fitness in lean and obese schoolchildren. Eur. J. Pediatr. 2011, 170:1435-1443.
76. Tomkinson G.R., Olds T.S. Secular changes in aerobic fitness test performance of Australasian children and adolescents in: Pediatric Fitness. Secular trends and Geographic Variability. Med. Sports Sci. 2007, 50:168-182.
77. Tomkinson G.R., Leger L.A., Olds T.S. Secular trends in performance of children and adolescents 1980-2000: an analysis of 55 studies of the 20m shuttle run in 11 countries. Sports Med. 2003, 33:285-300.
78. Tremblay M.S., Shields M., Laviolette M., Craig C.L., Janssen I., Gorber S.C. Fitness of Canadian children and youth: results from the 2007-2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey. Health Rep. 2010, 21:7-20.
79. Trost S. Measurement of physical activity in children and adolescents. Am. J. Lifestyle Med. 2007, 1:299-314.
80. USDHHS Physical activity guidelines. United States Department of Health and Human Services 2009.
81. Van Dusen D.P., Kelder S.H., Kohl H.W., Ranjit N., Perry C.L. Associations of physical fitness and academic performance among schoolchildren. J. Sch. Health 2011, 81:733-740.
82. Verstraete S.J., Cardon G.M., De Clercq D.L., De Bourdeaudhuij I.M.M. Increasing children's physical activity levels during recess periods in elementary schools: the effects of providing game equipment. Eur. J. Public Health 2006, 16:415-419.
83. Welk G.J., Merideth M.D. FITNESSGRAM/ACTIVITYGRAM: reference guide, 3rd 2008, The Cooper Institute, Dallas, TX. 3rd ed.
84. Wiersma L.D., Sherman C.P. The responsible use of youth fitness testing to enhance student motivation, enjoyment, and performance. Meas. Phys. Educ. Exerc. Sci. 2008, 12:167-183.