School-Based Randomized Controlled Trial of a Physical Activity Intervention among Adolescents

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.09.028

Journal of Adolescent Health

Volume 40, Issue 3, March 2007, Pages 258-265

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.09.028 Get rights and content

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the effects of a middle school physical activity intervention, new in combining an environmental and computer tailored component; and to evaluate the effects of parental involvement.

Methods

A clustered randomized controlled design was used. A random sample of 15 schools with 7th and 8th graders was randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) intervention with parental support, (b) intervention alone, and (c) control group. The intervention was new in combining environmental strategies with computer-tailored feedback to increase levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity. The intervention was implemented by the school staff. Physical activity was measured through a questionnaire in the total sample and with accelerometers in a sub sample of adolescents.

Results

The intervention with parental support led to an increase in self-reported school-related physical activity of, on average, 6.4 minutes per day (p ≤ .05, d = .40). Physical activity of light intensity measured with accelerometers decreased with, on average, 36 minutes per day as a result of the intervention with parental support (p ≤ .05, d = .54). Physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity measured with accelerometers significantly increased with on average 4 minutes per day in the intervention group with parental support, while it decreased with almost 7 minutes per day in the control group (p ≤ .05, d = .46).

Conclusions

The physical activity intervention, implemented by the school staff, resulted in enhanced physical activity behaviors in both middle school boys and girls. The combination of environmental approaches with computer-tailored interventions seemed promising.

Section snippets

Participants and procedure

The present study is a clustered randomized controlled trial. A Priori power analyses revealed that an n = 300 in each group was sufficient to power the study no less than .80 and to detect differences of 10-minutes/day for total physical activity, given the .05 level of significance (α error). To account for possible drop-out and to make subsequent analyses within subgroups possible, larger samples were provided.

A random sample of 15 of the 65 Flemish schools with technical and vocational

Sample characteristics and drop-out analysis

Demographic characteristics of the baseline sample according to condition are shown in Table 1. Baseline demographic and behavioral characteristics of the baseline and follow-up sample are shown in Table 2. Drop-out analyses comparing baseline demographic and behavioral characteristics of the students participating and not participating at follow-up showed no significant differences.

Discussion

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an intervention unique in combining environmental changes with personalized stage-based computer-tailored feedback for promoting physical activity in middle school boys and girls. After 9 months, the intervention seemed effective in enhancing healthy physical activity behaviors. The self-reported physical activity measurements showed that the intervention effects differed according to the context (at school/leisure time) of the

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Policy Research Centre Sport, Physical Activity and Health funded by the Flemish Government. The authors thank the 15 schools participating in this study.

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eHealth school-based interventions addressing multiple lifestyle risk behaviours can be effective in improving physical activity, screen time, and fruit and vegetable intake. However, effects were small and only evident immediately after the intervention. Further high quality, adolescent-informed research is needed to develop eHealth interventions that can modify multiple behaviours and sustain long-term effects.
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Original articleSchool-Based Randomized Controlled Trial of a Physical Activity Intervention among Adolescents

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Section snippets

Participants and procedure

Sample characteristics and drop-out analysis

Discussion

Acknowledgments

Prev Med

Am J Prev Med

Am J Prev Med Suppl

Am J Prev Med

Appl Nurs Res

Health-enhancing physical activity and sedentary behaviour in children and adolescents

J Sports Sci

Health enhancing physical activity for young people: Statement of the United Kingdom Expert Consensus Conference

Pediatr Exerc Sci

Evidence based physical activity for school-age youth

J Pediatr

The physical activity, fitness and health of children

J Sports Sci

Age-related decline in physical activity: A synthesis of human and animal studies

Med Sci Sports Exerc

Using the school environment to promote physical activity and healthy eating

Prev Med Suppl

The association of school environments with youth physical activity

Am J Public Health

Physical education in public health

Res Q Exerc Sport

A review of correlates of physical activity of children and adolescents

Med Sci Sports Exerc

Parents’ activity-related parenting practices predict girls’ physical activity

Med Sci Sports Exerc

Physical activity and obesity prevention: A review of the current evidence

Proc Nutr Soc

Reducing obesity via a school-based interdisciplinary intervention among youth

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med

Original article
School-Based Randomized Controlled Trial of a Physical Activity Intervention among Adolescents