Effects of a 2-Year School-Based Intervention of Enhanced Physical Education in the Primary School

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess whether a school-based physical education intervention was effective in improving physical abilities and influencing daily physical activity habits in primary school children. The possible effect on BMI was also considered. METHODS: Twenty-six third grade classes were randomly selected stratifying by geographic location (city, plain, hills) and were assigned either to an intervention (127 boys; 120 girls) or to a traditional (129 boys; 121 girls) physical education programme. At baseline (age: 8-9 years) and after a two-year follow-up (age: 10-11 years), information was collected about sport participation and daily activity habits using a self-administered questionnaire. Height, weight and BMI were measured and physical performance was assessed by means of standardised tests. RESULTS: The enhanced programme of physical education was effective in improving physical abilities of children and determining a decrease (boys:10%; girls:12%) in daily sedentary activities (pre-intervention vs post-intervention, p<.05; intervention vs control group, p<.01). The percentages of over-weight and obese children did not vary significantly, but the experimental group showed a significantly lower rise in BMI compared to the control group (p<.001). CONCLUSION: The school proved to be an ideal setting for promoting physical activity and achieving the required daily activity levels.