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US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‐Based Physical Activity Recommendations Do Not Improve Fitness in Real‐World Settings
Author(s) -
Seibert Tasa,
Allen David B.,
Eickhoff Jens C.,
Carrel Aaron L.
Publication year - 2019
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.12724
Subject(s) - disease control , control (management) , physical fitness , disease prevention , gerontology , medicine , psychology , medical education , physical therapy , environmental health , computer science , artificial intelligence
BACKGROUND The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) promotes school‐based strategies to increase physical activity (PA). Implementation feasibility and effect of these interventions on cardiovascular fitness (CVF) is unknown. METHODS Forty‐nine low‐SES schools were randomly assigned to either (1) continue routine PA programs (N = 24 schools, 2399 students) or (2) implement 4 CDC‐based PA strategies (N = 25 schools, 2495 students). CVF assessed by PACER (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run) was obtained at the beginning and end of the school year. A post‐study questionnaire was administered at each school to assess adherence. RESULTS Overall, PACER z‐scores were not augmented by CDC‐based PA strategies. In boys, PACER z‐scores increased similarly in both intervention and control schools. In girls, increased mean PACER z‐score was greater in control schools (p < .01). Fifty‐two percent of intervention school's staff reported inability to implement or sustain 4 CDC‐based PA strategies. CONCLUSIONS Planned implementation of school‐based CDC PA strategies did not increase CVF compared to routine PA programming. Lack of efficacy in girls suggests need for sex‐specific targeted strategies. These findings highlight limited efficacy of CDC‐based PA recommendations alone in low‐SES schools. Schools may require additional support to successfully implement recommendations and meaningfully affect health outcomes.