Proposal for an Enhanced Physical Education Program in the Primary School: Evaluation of Feasibility and Effectiveness in Improving Physical Skills and Fitness.
BACKGROUND A large proportion of children do not reach the recommended levels of physical activity for health. A quasiexperimental study with nonrandom assignment was performed to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of a school based physical education intervention aimed at increasing the levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) METHODS Ten classes from 4 primary schools, including 241 children aged 8 to 10 years, were recruited. The experimental group (n 97) received 4 additional sessions/week of 60 minutes of MVPA for 8 months. The control group (n 135) continued their standard program (2 sessions of 50 minutes/week) Motor abilities (standing long jump, handgrip strength, Harre circuit, sit and reach) physical fitness (Yo Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1) anthropometric measures (body mass index, waist to height ratio) and self efficacy (Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children) were evaluated at baseline and after the intervention. RESULTS The experimental group significantly improved in the Harre circuit both in males (P .001) and females (P .01) whereas physical fitness test improved only in males (P .001) Males in the experimental group improved the perception of self efficacy in coordinative abilities (P .017) CONCLUSIONS The proposed school based MVPA program showed effectiveness and feasibility. The differences observed by gender highlight the need to use different strategies to increase the involvement of all the participants.
Journal of physical activity health