Extrait

Background and study aims: The World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health recommends that children should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA) every day. Recent evidence, however, shows that is often not the case. In 2010, WHO identified PA treatments as a key way of increasing the PA levels of children. School has been recognised as a primary place to reach the majority of children and provide PA opportunities for them. However, the inactive nature of lessons carried out in the classroom has been identified as adding to physical inactivity among this age group. The Active Classrooms study aims to design and test a classroom-based treatment that combines physical activity (PA) and school curriculum content. The effects of the treatment on the PA levels of primary school children will be evaluated. Who can participate? Children aged 8-11 years in participating primary schools in Munster, Ireland and their teachers. What does the study involve? Participating schools are allocated to one of two groups. Teachers in schools in group 1 (intervention group) are provided with training, lesson plans and resources to encourage them to integrate physical activities into English and Maths lessons ('Active Classrooms' lessons). They teach at least one active English lesson and one active Maths lesson each day. Teachers in schools in group 2 (delayed-treatment control group) continue their usual school curriculum. Children's weight, height and degree of physical activity are measured at the beginning of the study. Physical activity measures are repeated after 8 weeks of participating in treatment lessons and 4 months after the beginning of the study. The children's enjoyment of the lessons are also assessed. Teachers opinions on the programme are evaluated using a questionnaire. After all data is collected for the study, teachers in group 2 are offered the 'Active Classrooms' lessons and resources. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Benefits include improved physical activity levels which may be beneficial to the overall health of the participants. There are no risks to participating. Where is the study run from? Mary Immaculate College, Limerick and schools in Munster (Ireland) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? September 2013 to June 2015 Who is funding the study? investigator initiated and funded (Ireland) Who is the main contact? Rosemarie Martin [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Intervention to improve physical activity levels of children in primary schools in Munster, Ireland

Liens

• ictrp
• isrctn