Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2012 Jun 12:12:427.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-427.

Rationale and study protocol for the supporting children's outcomes using rewards, exercise and skills (SCORES) group randomized controlled trial: a physical activity and fundamental movement skills intervention for primary schools in low-income communities

David R Lubans  1 , Philip J Morgan, Kristen Weaver, Robin Callister, Deborah L Dewar, Sarah A Costigan, Tara L Finn, Jordan Smith, Lee Upton, Ronald C Plotnikoff
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Rationale and study protocol for the supporting children's outcomes using rewards, exercise and skills (SCORES) group randomized controlled trial: a physical activity and fundamental movement skills intervention for primary schools in low-income communities

David R Lubans et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Many Australian children are insufficiently active to accrue health benefits and physical activity (PA) levels are consistently lower among youth of low socio-economic position. PA levels decline dramatically during adolescence and evidence suggests that competency in a range of fundamental movement skills (FMS) may serve as a protective factor against this trend.

Methods/design: The Supporting Children's Outcomes Using Rewards Exercise and Skills (SCORES) intervention is a multi-component PA and FMS intervention for primary schools in low-income communities, which will be evaluated using a group randomized controlled trial. The socio-ecological model provided a framework for the 12-month intervention, which includes the following components: teacher professional learning, student leadership workshops (including leadership accreditation and rewards, e.g., stickers, water bottles), PA policy review, PA equipment packs, parental engagement via newsletters, FMS homework and a parent evening, and community partnerships with local sporting organizations. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 6- and 12-months. The primary outcomes are PA (accelerometers), FMS (Test of Gross Motor Development II) and cardiorespiratory fitness (multi-stage fitness test). Secondary outcomes include body mass index [using weight (kg)/height (m2)], perceived competence, physical self-esteem, and resilience. Individual and environmental mediators of behavior change (e.g. social support and enjoyment) will also be assessed. The System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time will be used to assess the impact of the intervention on PA within physical education lessons. Statistical analyses will follow intention-to-treat principles and hypothesized mediators of PA behavior change will be explored.

Discussion: SCORES is an innovative primary school-based PA and FMS intervention designed to support students attending schools in low-income communities to be more skilled and active. The findings from the study may be used to guide teacher pre-service education, professional learning and school policy in primary schools.

Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry No: ACTRN12611001080910.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study design and flow.
Figure 2
Figure 2
SCORES intervention components, potential mediators and outcomes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Strong WB, Malina RM, Blimkie CJ, Daniels SR, Dishman RK, Gutin B, Hergenroeder AC, Must A, Nixon PA, Pivarnik JM. et al.Evidence based physical activity for school-age youth. J Pediatr. 2005;146(6):732–737. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2005.01.055. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Tomporowski PD, Davis CL, Miller PH, Naglieri JA. Exercise and children’s intelligence, cognition, and academic achievement. Educ Psychol Rev. 2008;20(2):111–131. doi: 10.1007/s10648-007-9057-0. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Ekelund U, Poortvliet E, Nilsson A, Yngve A, Holmberg A, Sjostrom M. Physical activity in relation to aerobic fitness in 14- to 15-year-old boys and girls. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2001;85:195–201. doi: 10.1007/s004210100460. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Rizzo NS, Ruiz JR, Hurtig-Wennlof A, Ortega FB, Sjostrom M. Relationship of physical activity, fitness, and fatness with clustered metabolic risk in children and adolescents: the European Youth Heart Study. J Pediatr. 2007;150(4):388–394. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2006.12.039. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Froberg K, Anderson LB. Mini Review: physical activity and fitness and its relations to cardiovascular disease risk factors in children. Int J Obes. 2005;29(S):34–39. - PubMed

Publication types