. 2022 Aug 10;12(8):e065321.

doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065321.

Time-efficient physical activity intervention for older adolescents with disability: rationale and study protocol for the Burn 2 Learn adapted (B2La) cluster randomised controlled trial

Toby J Kable^{1

2

3}, Angus A Leahy^{1

2

3}, Jordan J Smith^{1

2

3}, Narelle Eather^{1

2

3}, Nora Shields⁴, Michael Noetel⁵, Chris Lonsdale⁶, Charles H Hillman^{7

8}, Penny Reeves^{9

10}, Christopher Oldmeadow¹¹, Sarah G Kennedy¹², James Boyer¹³, Leisl Stimpson¹⁴, Pierre Comis¹⁴, Laura Roche¹, David R Lubans^{15

2

3

16}

Affiliations

¹ School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
² Active Living Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia.
³ Centre for Active Living, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁵ School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University - Brisbane Campus, Banyo, Queensland, Australia.
⁶ Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University - North Sydney Campus, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁷ Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
⁸ Department of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
⁹ Health Research Economics, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia.
¹⁰ School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
¹¹ Clinical Research Design and Statistics, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia.
¹² School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia.
¹³ School Sport Unit, NSW Department of Education, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
¹⁴ Special Olympics Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
¹⁵ School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia David.Lubans@newcastle.edu.au.
¹⁶ Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, New South Wales, Finland.

PMID: 35948376
PMCID: PMC9379534
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065321

Time-efficient physical activity intervention for older adolescents with disability: rationale and study protocol for the Burn 2 Learn adapted (B2La) cluster randomised controlled trial

Toby J Kable et al. BMJ Open. 2022.

. 2022 Aug 10;12(8):e065321.

doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065321.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
² Active Living Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia.
³ Centre for Active Living, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁵ School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University - Brisbane Campus, Banyo, Queensland, Australia.
⁶ Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University - North Sydney Campus, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁷ Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
⁸ Department of Physical Therapy, Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
⁹ Health Research Economics, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia.
¹⁰ School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
¹¹ Clinical Research Design and Statistics, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia.
¹² School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia.
¹³ School Sport Unit, NSW Department of Education, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
¹⁴ Special Olympics Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
¹⁵ School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia David.Lubans@newcastle.edu.au.
¹⁶ Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, New South Wales, Finland.

PMID: 35948376
PMCID: PMC9379534
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065321

Abstract

Introduction: Physical activity declines during adolescence, with the lowest levels of activity observed among those with disability. Schools are ideal settings to address this issue; however, few school-based interventions have been specifically designed for older adolescents with disability. Our aim is to investigate the effects of a school-based physical activity programme, involving high-intensity interval training (HIIT), on physical, mental and cognitive health in older adolescents with disability.

Methods and analysis: We will evaluate the Burn 2 Learn adapted (B2La) intervention using a two-arm, parallel group, cluster randomised controlled trial with allocation occurring at the school level (treatment or waitlist control). Secondary schools will be recruited in two cohorts from New South Wales, Australia. We will aim to recruit 300 older adolescents (aged 15-19 years) with disability from 30 secondary schools (10 in cohort 1 and 20 in cohort 2). Schools allocated to the intervention group will deliver two HIIT sessions per week during scheduled specialist support classes. The sessions will include foundational aerobic and muscle strengthening exercises tailored to meet student needs. We will provide teachers with training, resources, and support to facilitate the delivery of the B2La programme. Study outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 6 months (primary endpoint), and 9 months. Our primary outcome is functional capacity assessed using the 6 min walk/push test. Secondary outcomes include physical activity, muscular fitness, body composition, cognitive function, quality of life, physical literacy, and on-task behaviour in the classroom. We will also conduct economic and process evaluations to determine cost-effectiveness, programme acceptability, implementation, adaptability, and sustainability in schools.

Ethics and dissemination: This study has received approval from the University of Newcastle (H-2021-0262) and the New South Wales Department of Education (SERAP: 2021257) human research ethics committees. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals, and key stakeholders will be provided with a detailed report following the study.

Trial registration number: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Number: ACTRN12621000884808.

Keywords: PUBLIC HEALTH; SPORTS MEDICINE; STATISTICS & RESEARCH METHODS.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

**Figure 1**
Example of B2La HIIT technique card. This figure was created by the lead investigator.

**Figure 2**
Examples of B2La HIITsession cards. This figure was created by the lead investigator.

See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Time-efficient physical activity intervention for older adolescents with disability: rationale and study protocol for the Burn 2 Learn adapted (B2La) cluster randomised controlled trial

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Time-efficient physical activity intervention for older adolescents with disability: rationale and study protocol for the Burn 2 Learn adapted (B2La) cluster randomised controlled trial

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