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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 Jan 22:13:57.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-57.

A cluster randomised trial of a school-based intervention to prevent decline in adolescent physical activity levels: study protocol for the 'Physical Activity 4 Everyone' trial

Rachel Sutherland  1 , Elizabeth Campbell, David R Lubans, Philip J Morgan, Anthony D Okely, Nicole Nathan, Luke Wolfenden, Jannah Jones, Lynda Davies, Karen Gillham, John Wiggers
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A cluster randomised trial of a school-based intervention to prevent decline in adolescent physical activity levels: study protocol for the 'Physical Activity 4 Everyone' trial

Rachel Sutherland et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is an established period of physical activity decline. Multi-component school-based interventions have the potential to slow the decline in adolescents' physical activity; however, few interventions have been conducted in schools located in low-income or disadvantaged communities. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a multi-component school-based intervention in reducing the decline in physical activity among students attending secondary schools located in disadvantaged communities.

Methods/design: The cluster randomised trial will be conducted with 10 secondary schools located in selected regions of New South Wales, Australia. The schools will be selected from areas that have a level of socio-economic status that is below the state average. Five schools will be allocated to receive an intervention based on the Health Promoting Schools framework, and will be supported by a part-time physical activity consultant placed in intervention schools who will implement a range of intervention adoption strategies. Study measures will be taken at baseline when students are in Year 7 (12-13 years) and again after 12- and 24-months. The primary outcome, minutes of moderate- to-vigorous- intensity physical activity per day and percentage of time in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), will be objectively assessed using accelerometers (Actigraph GT3x+). Group allocation and intervention delivery will commence after baseline data collection. The intervention will continue during school terms through to 24-month follow-up.

Discussion: The study will provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of a multi-component school-based intervention that includes an in-school physical activity consultant targeting the physical activity levels of adolescents in disadvantaged Australian secondary schools.

Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12612000382875.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CONSORT flowchart describing progress of participants through the study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Intervention Adoption Strategies to Support Implementation of Intervention Components. Health Promoting School Intervention Components. Hypothesised Mediators. Behavioural Outcome.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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