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Effects of a 2‐Year School‐Based Intervention of Enhanced Physical Education in the Primary School
Author(s) -
Sacchetti Rossella,
Ceciliani Andrea,
Garulli Andrea,
Dallolio Laura,
Beltrami Patrizia,
Leoni Erica
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of school health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.851
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1746-1561
pISSN - 0022-4391
DOI - 10.1111/josh.12076
Subject(s) - overweight , body mass index , physical therapy , physical education , medicine , physical activity , intervention (counseling) , physical activity level , gerontology , demography , psychology , nursing , pathology , sociology , medical education
B ackground 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 body mass index ( BMI ) was also considered. M ethods Twenty‐six 3rd‐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 program. At baseline (age: 8‐9 years) and after a 2‐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 standardized tests. R esults The enhanced program of physical education was effective in improving physical abilities of children and determining a decrease (boys: 10%; girls: 12%) in daily sedentary activities (preintervention versus postintervention, p < .05; intervention versus control group, p < .01). The percentages of overweight 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). C onclusion The school proved to be an ideal setting for promoting physical activity and achieving the required daily activity levels.