Putting Physical Activity Where It Fits in the School Day: Preliminary Results of the ABC (Activity Bursts in the Classroom) for Fitness Program

Details

• Journal Article:
  Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD)
• Personal Author:
  Katz, David L. ; Cushman, Daniel ; Reynolds, Jesse ; Njike, Valentine ; Treu, Judith A. ; Katz, Catherine ; Walker, Jennifer ; Smith, Erica
• Description:
  Introduction
  
  Despite well-documented evidence that physical activity is beneficial to children, average fitness levels of US children have declined. Lack of physical activity has been associated with childhood obesity. We evaluated the effects of a physical activity program in the elementary school classroom on health outcomes.
  
  Methods
  
  Three schools in the Independence School District in Independence, Missouri, were assigned to receive the ABC (Activity Bursts in the Classroom) for Fitness program, and 2 comparable schools served as controls. The program, led by classroom teachers, provides multiple, brief, structured physical activity breaks throughout the day. Baseline data for the study were collected in September 2007, and follow-up data were collected in April 2008.
  
  Results
  
  Physical fitness measures of upper-body strength, abdominal strength, and trunk extensor improved (P <.001). Medication use for asthma (P = .03), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (P = .07), or either medication combined (P = .005) decreased.
  
  Conclusion
  
  The effects of the program on daily physical activity, fitness, and measures of health are beneficial.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Attention Attitude To Health Child Educational Measurement Exercise Female Focus Groups Humans Male Patient Satisfaction Physical Education And Training Physical Fitness School Health Services

  More +
• Source:
  Prev Chronic Dis. 7(4).
• ISSN:
  1545-1151
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Volume:
  7
• Issue:
  4
• Collection(s):
  Preventing Chronic Disease
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:08f66ac7e7dd2f8b554faee8ed9b08b713e0c1734d2edcb0770143e5fd73e412e941d7374daa5af2f62f469005627df5792968ce0515a8efd4ebdbf4e9acb74d
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/20484/cdc_20484_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 547.55 KB ]