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.
Sacchetti R, Ceciliani A, Garulli A, Dallolio L, Beltrami P, Leoni E. (2013). Effects of a 2-Year School-Based Intervention of Enhanced Physical Education in the Primary School. THE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, 83(9), 639-646 [10.1111/josh.12076].
Effects of a 2-Year School-Based Intervention of Enhanced Physical Education in the Primary School
SACCHETTI, ROSSELLA;CECILIANI, ANDREA;DALLOLIO, LAURA;LEONI, ERICA
2013
Abstract
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.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
