Effects of after-school physical activity on fitness, fatness, and cognitive self-perceptions: a pilot study among urban, minority adolescent girls

Physical Activity Programs with Post-Intervention Follow-Up in Children: A Comprehensive Review According to Categories of Intervention

“…Physical activity was measured by self-report in 54% of the studies, including questionnaires and interviews [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Thirty-two percent of the intervention programs measured objectively the outcomes, including the use of accelerometers and pedometers to track daily activity and treadmills, shuttle-runs and one-mile-runs to measure the fitness level [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ]. Accelerometry was used in seven (14%) studies [ 41 , 42 , 46 , 48 , 51 , 55 , 56 ].…”

“…In total, 32 (74%) studies had a positive impact on physical activity during, immediately after or at follow-up of the intervention [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 43 , 44 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. Eleven interventions (24%) did not find any statistically-significant effects on physical activity at any time point [ 17 , 19 , 26 , 27 , 32 , 33 , 42 , 45 , 46 , 52 , 53 ].…”

“…Furthermore, we assessed positive impacts on measured cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as anthropometry, sedentary behaviour, nutritional habits, psychological and other effects in the studies where possible. Figure 2 shows that positive impacts were noted in 45 (90%) of the studies having measured these outcomes [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ]. Among these studies, 13 had a beneficial impact on anthropometry [ 24 , 25 , 28 , 35 , 47 , 50 , 52 , …”

“…Among these studies, 13 had a beneficial impact on anthropometry [ 24 , 25 , 28 , 35 , 47 , 50 , 52 , 55 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 63 ], and eight studies reported a decrease in sedentary behavior [ 19 , 24 , 25 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 39 , 56 ]. Nutritional habits were improved in 15 studies [ 18 , 20 , 21 , 25 , 29 , 30 , 35 , 39 , 42 , 45 , 47 , 53 , 55 , 62 , 63 ], and positive changes in psychological well-being were reported in eight studies [ 14 , 18 , 23 , 24 , 32 , 34 , 59 , 62 ]. Psycho-social support or parental support had a favorable impact on the outcomes [ 24 , 48 , 52 ].…”

Feasibility, Validity, and Reliability of the Plank Isometric Hold as a Field-Based Assessment of Torso Muscular Endurance for Children 8–12 Years of Age

“…The fitness of children in developed countries has declined over recent decades (29,31), increasing their risk for health issues (4,7,10,24,26). Torso muscular endurance, a component of physical fitness, makes an important contribution to the efficient and effective use of the upper and lower extremities (23), injury prevention (5), and stability of the spinal column (2,17,18)-all of which contribute to optimal function in activities of daily living and engagement in a healthy, active lifestyle.…”