Time-efficient intervention to improve older adolescents' cardiorespiratory fitness: findings from the 'Burn 2 Learn' cluster randomised controlled trial

David R Lubans¹, Jordan J Smith², Narelle Eather², Angus A Leahy², Philip J Morgan², Chris Lonsdale³, Ronald C Plotnikoff², Michael Nilsson⁴, Sarah G Kennedy², Elizabeth G Holliday⁵, Natasha Weaver⁵, Michael Noetel^{3

6}, Tatsuya T Shigeta⁷, Myrto F Mavilidi^{2

8}, Sarah R Valkenborghs^{2

9}, Prajwal Gyawali¹⁰, Frederick R Walker^{4

9}, Sarah A Costigan^{2

11}, Charles H Hillman^{7

12}

Affiliations

¹ Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia david.lubans@newcastle.edu.au.
² Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
³ Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ Centre for Rehab Innovations and Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
⁵ School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
⁶ School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Banyo, Queensland, Australia.
⁷ Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
⁸ Early Start, School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
⁹ School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
¹⁰ School of Health and Wellbeing, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
¹¹ School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
¹² Department of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

PMID: 33355155
PMCID: PMC8223670
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-103277

Time-efficient intervention to improve older adolescents' cardiorespiratory fitness: findings from the 'Burn 2 Learn' cluster randomised controlled trial

David R Lubans et al. Br J Sports Med. 2020.

. 2020 Dec 21;55(13):751-758.

doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-103277. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia david.lubans@newcastle.edu.au.
² Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Faculty of Education and Arts, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
³ Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ Centre for Rehab Innovations and Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
⁵ School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
⁶ School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Banyo, Queensland, Australia.
⁷ Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
⁸ Early Start, School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
⁹ School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
¹⁰ School of Health and Wellbeing, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
¹¹ School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
¹² Department of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

PMID: 33355155
PMCID: PMC8223670
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-103277

Abstract

Background: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an important marker of current and future health status. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of a time-efficient school-based intervention on older adolescents' CRF.

Methods: Two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial conducted in two cohorts (February 2018 to February 2019 and February 2019 to February 2020) in New South Wales, Australia. Participants (N=670, 44.6% women, 16.0±0.43 years) from 20 secondary schools: 10 schools (337 participants) were randomised to the Burn 2 Learn (B2L) intervention and 10 schools (333 participants) to the control. Teachers in schools allocated to the B2L intervention were provided with training, resources, and support to facilitate the delivery of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) activity breaks during curriculum time. Teachers and students in the control group continued their usual practice. The primary outcome was CRF (20 m multi-stage fitness test). Secondary outcomes were muscular fitness, physical activity, hair cortisol concentrations, mental health and cognitive function. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 months (primary end-point) and 12 months. Effects were estimated using mixed models accounting for clustering.

Results: We observed a group-by-time effect for CRF (difference=4.1 laps, 95% CI 1.8 to 6.4) at the primary end-point (6 months), but not at 12 months. At 6 months, group-by-time effects were found for muscular fitness, steps during school hours and cortisol.

Conclusions: Implementing HIIT during curricular time improved adolescents' CRF and several secondary outcomes. Our findings suggest B2L is unlikely to be an effective approach unless teachers embed sessions within the school day.

Trial registration number: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618000293268).

Keywords: aerobic fitness; exercise; intervention effectiveness; physical activity; physical fitness.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

**Figure 1**
Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials flow diagram.

**Figure 2**
Snapshot of Burn 2 Learn (B2L) smartphone application dashboard and group session.

See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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1. Ruiz JR, Castro-Piñero J, Artero EG, et al. . Predictive validity of health-related fitness in youth: a systematic review. Br J Sports Med 2009;43:909–23. 10.1136/bjsm.2008.056499 - DOI - PubMed
1. Henriksson P, Shiroma EJ, Henriksson H, et al. . Fit for life? low cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescence is associated with a higher burden of future disability. Br J Sports Med 2020. 10.1136/bjsports-2020-102605 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
1. Ruggero CJ, Petrie T, Sheinbein S, et al. . Cardiorespiratory fitness may Help in protecting against depression among middle school adolescents. J Adolesc Health 2015;57:60–5. 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.03.016 - DOI - PubMed

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Time-efficient intervention to improve older adolescents' cardiorespiratory fitness: findings from the 'Burn 2 Learn' cluster randomised controlled trial

Affiliations

Time-efficient intervention to improve older adolescents' cardiorespiratory fitness: findings from the 'Burn 2 Learn' cluster randomised controlled trial

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

Figures

References

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources

Medical