Effects of attending elevated level school physical education in 7 to 11-year-old boys

Abstract

The aim of the present longitudinal study of four years was to analyse differences in growth patterns, age-related changes in body fat and physical performance in schoolchildren taking part either in normal or in elevated level physical education at school.Nine data collection sessions were carried out between 2002 and 2006 in 18 schools. The sample consisted of 521 non-athletic volunteer boys (PE=116, contrast = 405).The inter-group differences between mean height, body weight, body mass index, relative body fat content, mean scores in 30 m dash, 400 m run, and standing long jump as well as the patterns of change with age were analysed in this comparison. Between-observation differences were tested by repeated measures ANOVA. In case of a significant F-test Tukey's post-hoc tests were used. Age dependence was also studied by linear regression analysis.The between-group differences in mean height were not significant, but the slope of height increase with age was significantly greater in the PE boys. The PE boys were significantly lighter through all the nine observations and the slope of age-related weight increase was statistically faster in the group of contrast subjects. Both the BMI means and percent body fat means were consistently and significantly greater in the contrast group and faster increases were found in the group of the less active boys. The mean physical performances of the PE boys were consistently and significantly better. Their slopes of increase were statistically different.

Effectiveness of preventive school-based obesity interventions in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

“…The 2 dietary behavior interventions did not have a significant effect on mean BMI (50,51). All PA studies, except for one (55), found a significant effect on BMI or BMI z score for the overall sample (59,60) or for girls (56,57). No ES could be calculated for these studies.…”

“…With regard to the PA interventions only, those measuring physical fitness (n = 3) as an outcome showed a significant increase in performance on most fitness indicators (52,54,59). Of those interventions evaluating time spent being physically active (n = 4), all but one (58) found a significant increase in the intervention group (47,53,56,57).…”

“…The median intervention duration was 9 mo (range: 1 h to 4 y), and the median length of follow-up was 11 mo (range: 4 wk to 4 y). Except for 3 studies including only boys (44,59) or girls (47), all interventions targeted both sexes. Thirteen studies reported on the SES of the area, students, and/or parents.…”

“…Effectiveness of studies measuring at least one proximal and one distal outcome Five of the 22 studies included in the results tables (Tables 2-5) measured both a proximal outcome, ie, PA (56,57,59,(69)(70)(71) or diet (51), and a distal outcome such as BMI or overweight/ obesity prevalence (51,56,57,59,(69)(70)(71). All 5 studies showed a significant effect on the proximal outcomes they measured.…”

“…All 5 studies showed a significant effect on the proximal outcomes they measured. Four interventions (2 PA and 2 combined interventions) showed an effect on both the proximal and the distal outcomes for at least one subgroup (56,57,59,(69)(70)(71). Only the intervention evaluating diet as an intermediate outcome did not have an effect on the distal outcome (51).…”