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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Apr;91(4):307-317.
doi: 10.1111/josh.13004. Epub 2021 Mar 2.

Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase Physical Activity Among Hispanic-American Middle School Students

Katherine R Arlinghaus  1 , Tracey A Ledoux  2 , Craig A Johnston  3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase Physical Activity Among Hispanic-American Middle School Students

Katherine R Arlinghaus et al. J Sch Health. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) declines during adolescence, particularly among girls. In this randomized control trial, we examined MVPA in a physical activity intervention compared to physical education (PE) class as usual (TAU), stratified by sex and weight classification. Standardized BMI (zBMI) overtime was also examined.

Methods: Hispanic-American middle school students (N = 193) were recruited from a school district in Houston, Texas. Participants were randomized to either a circuit-based physical activity intervention or TAU (PE class as usual). MVPA was assessed using accelerometry at baseline and 6 months. Repeated measures ANCOVA were conducted to examine changes in MVPA, overall and stratified by sex and weight classification. This procedure was repeated for zBMI.

Results: Participants were 12.10 ± 0.63 years old and 53% were girls. Overall those in intervention increased weekday MVPA more than TAU (F(1,190) = 7.03, p < .01). Intervention girls increased weekday MVPA; whereas TAU girls decreased weekday MVPA (F(1,99) = 7.36, p < .01). Among those with obesity, there was no difference in MVPA between conditions (F(1, 56) = 0.33, p = .57), but Intervention decreased zBMI significantly more than TAU (F(1, 56) = 6.16, p < .05).

Conclusions: Structured PE classes grounded in behavioral theory may be an important strategy to prevent typical decreases in MVPA during adolescence, particularly among girls and for youth with obesity.

Keywords: accelerometry; curriculum; obesity; physical education; physical fitness; sex differences.

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References

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