Active Smarter Kids (ASK): Rationale and design of a cluster-randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of daily physical activity on children’s academic performance and risk factors for non-communicable diseases

Abstract

BackgroundEvidence is emerging from school-based studies that physical activity might favorably affect children’s academic performance. However, there is a need for high-quality studies to support this. Therefore, the main objective of the Active Smarter Kids (ASK) study is to investigate the effect of daily physical activity on children’s academic performance. Because of the complexity of the relation between physical activity and academic performance it is important to identify mediating and moderating variables such as cognitive function, fitness, adiposity, motor skills and quality of life (QoL). Further, there are global concerns regarding the high prevalence of lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The best means to address this challenge could be through primary prevention. Physical activity is known to play a key role in preventing a host of NCDs. Therefore, we investigated as a secondary objective the effect of the intervention on risk factors related to NCDs. The purpose of this paper is to describe the design of the ASK study, the ASK intervention as well as the scope and details of the methods we adopted to evaluate the effect of the ASK intervention on 5thgrade children.Methods & designThe ASK study is a cluster randomized controlled trial that includes 1145 fifth graders (aged 10 years) from 57 schools (28 intervention schools; 29 control schools) in Sogn and Fjordane County, Norway. This represents 95.3 % of total possible recruitment. Children in all 57 participating schools took part in a curriculum-prescribed physical activity intervention (90 min/week of physical education (PE) and 45 min/week physical activity, in total; 135 min/week). In addition, children from intervention schools also participated in the ASK intervention model (165 min/week), i.e. a total of 300 min/week of physical activity/PE. The ASK study was implemented over 7 months, from November 2014 to June 2015. We assessed academic performance in reading, numeracy and English using Norwegian National tests delivered by The Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training. We assessed physical activity objectively at baseline, midpoint and at the end of the intervention. All other variables were measured at baseline and post-intervention. In addition, we used qualitative methodologies to obtain an in-depth understanding of children’s embodied experiences and pedagogical processes taking place during the intervention.DiscussionIf successful, ASK could provide strong evidence of a relation between physical activity and academic performance that could potentially inform the process of learning in elementary schools. Schools might also be identified as effective settings for large scale public health initiatives for the prevention of NCDs.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov ID nr: NCT02132494. Date of registration, 6th of May, 2014.

Physical activity, diet and other behavioural interventions for improving cognition and school achievement in children and adolescents with obesity or overweight

“…We have so far contacted the authors twice. NCT02043626 and NCT02122224 are completed studies identified through a trial register, but the results have not yet been published. Based on the information provided in the trial registers, we are not able to determine the eligibility of the studies, namely, whether data for children with obesity or overweight would be available.…”

Physical activity preferences of 10‐year‐old children and identified activities with positive and negative associations to cardiorespiratory fitness

“…Although guidelines specify the minimum daily level of PA for children, there is a knowledge gap about the type of physical activities school children prefer, along with factors that might predict children's PA preferences. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate children's PA preferences using baseline data from the ASK study , which included a large sample of 10‐year‐old children from 57 elementary schools in Western Norway.…”

“…This study presents baseline data from the Active Smarter Kids (ASK) study. Detailed descriptions of the ASK study have previously been published and this study provides a brief overview of the relevant procedures.…”

Validity of noninvasive composite scores to assess cardiovascular risk in 10‐year‐old children

“…Baseline data were obtained from the Active Smarter Kids (ASK) Study, a study that have previously been presented in detail . A total of 1129 (588 boys and 541 girls) 10‐year‐old healthy prepubertal children were included.…”

“…Baseline data were obtained from the Active Smarter Kids (ASK) Study, a study that have previously been presented in detail. 18 A total of 1129 (588 boys and 541 girls) 10-year-old healthy prepubertal children were included. Before any testing was performed, written informed consent was obtained from each child's parents or legal guardians after they were given a detailed oral and written explanation of the study.…”