Response Stratton, Gareth; Foweather, Lawrence; Mackintosh, Kelly A ...
Medicine and science in sports and exercise,
10/2019, Volume:
51, Issue:
10
Journal Article
Introduction: Secondary schools have the potential to promote health-related fitness (HRF) and physical activity within and outside school hours. As such, schools are often chosen as the setting to ...implement child and adolescent physical activity programs. School-based programs often utilise teachers as delivery agents, but few studies examine effects on teacher-level outcomes.
Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to determine the impact of teacher training embedded within a physical activity intervention on teacher-level outcomes. The secondary aim of this study was to evaluate process data, including implementation, satisfaction and fidelity.
Methods: Resistance Training for Teens (RT for Teens) was evaluated using a cluster randomised controlled trial in 16 secondary schools. Teachers (N = 44; 48% female/52% male; mean ± SD years teaching experience = 10.6 ± 8.0) from 16 secondary schools were assessed at baseline. Intervention group teachers (i.e. from eight schools) delivered a structured school-based physical activity program over 10-weeks. Teacher outcomes included confidence to teach health-related fitness (HRF) activities, perceived barriers to teaching HRF activities, and perceived fitness. Detailed process evaluation data were also collected. Assessments were conducted at baseline and 6-months (post-program), and outcomes were assessed using repeated measures analysis of variance.
Results: There was a positive group-by-time effect for the confidence composite score (p = .010, partial eta squared = 0.29), but no effects for the two (contextual, interpersonal) barrier composite scores. Also, there was a significant effect for perceived 'general fitness' (p = 0.044, partial eta squared = 0.13), but not for specific fitness subdomains. Teachers were highly satisfied with both the training and the program, believing it was beneficial for students. Resource usage and adherence to the SAAFE (Supportive, Active, Autonomous, Fair, Enjoyable) delivery principles was high.
Conclusion: RT for Teens improved teachers' confidence and perceived fitness. These findings highlight the potential for high-quality teacher training and program delivery to positively influence teacher-level outcomes. This may provide support for the use of teacher professional development to improve HRF-related pedagogy.
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BFBNIB, FSPLJ, NUK, PILJ, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
We examined the compositional associations between the intensity spectrum derived from incremental acceleration intensity bands and the body mass index (BMI) z-score in youth, and investigated the ...estimated differences in BMI z-score following time reallocations between intensity bands. School-aged youth from 63 schools wore wrist accelerometers, and data of 1453 participants (57.5% girls) were analysed. Nine acceleration intensity bands (range: 0−50 mg to ≥700 mg) were used to generate time-use compositions. Multivariate regression assessed the associations between intensity band compositions and BMI z-scores. Compositional isotemporal substitution estimated the differences in BMI z-score following time reallocations between intensity bands. The ≥700 mg intensity bandwas strongly and inversely associated with BMI z-score (p < 0.001). The estimated differences in BMI z-score when 5 min were reallocated to and from the ≥700 mg band and reallocated equally among the remaining bands were −0.28 and 0.44, respectively (boys), and −0.39 and 1.06, respectively (girls). The time in the ≥700 mg intensity band was significantly associated with BMI z-score, irrespective of sex. When even modest durations of time in this band were reallocated, the asymmetrical estimated differences in BMI z-score were clinically meaningful. The findings highlight the utility of the full physical activity intensity spectrum over a priori-determined absolute intensity cut-point approaches.
Background
Sedentary, digital screen time in children represents a major concern due to its detrimental effect on children’s development. Nowadays, however, advances in technology allow children to ...actively interact with a digital screen using their whole body (e.g., exergaming), providing potential for movement learning. Exergaming technology may prove valuable in supporting children’s development of foundational movement skills (FMS).
Objective
To examine the impact of exergaming technology on the development of FMS in children 3–12 years through a skill acquisition lens.
Methods
Systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO and SPORTDiscus databases were searched between 2007 and 2022. Studies were eligible if they conducted an exergaming intervention to improve FMS in typically developing children aged three to twelve with a control group, using a baseline and post-intervention assessment design. FMS outcomes were pooled with a random effects model.
Results
Nine trials (4 RCTs, 2 cluster RCTs and 3 non-randomized trials) of varying methodological quality (2 had low, 6 had some concerns, and 1 had a high risk of bias) were included, with a total of 783 participants. FMS outcome measures across studies comprised object control skills, locomotor skills, coordination, agility, balance and balance-related skills. The meta-analysis included showed a small positive effect in favor of the exergaming intervention (
r
= 0.24 95% confidence interval: 0.11–0.36).
Conclusion
Our results indicate that screen-based technology that requires an active engagement of the child can promote the development of FMS. Considering that FMS are the foundation of a child’s physical, mental, health and academic development, this finding could lead to a reshaping of the perception of digital screen-based technology and the role this should play in children’s lives. We speculate that the observed benefits most likely depend upon the quality of information–movement coupling specificity and the motor learning strategies built into the exergame and/or the intervention design. We do not believe this is dependent on the type of FMS being performed or the amount of practice. We recommend therefore that future research should examine how practitioners (school teachers, coaches and parents) can facilitate the interaction between a child and exergaming technology.
PURPOSEWe aimed to compare three candidate body size index models for the scaling of aerobic fitness (V˙O2peak) in childrenwhole body mass, total lean body mass, and the lean mass of both legs.
...METHODSV˙O2peak and total lean mass of the body and both legs (via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) were assessed in 126 girls and 87 boys aged 9–11 yr. We applied nonlinear allometric models of the form V˙O2peak = a×body size, adjusted for biological sex and maturity offset (years from peak height velocity). We assessed goodness of fit using the Akaike information criterion.
RESULTSThe Akaike weights (Akaike differences) were as followslean mass of both legs = 0.69 (0), total lean body mass = 0.31 (1.6), and whole body mass = <1e−8 (36.6). The size exponent (90% confidence interval) for the lean mass of both legs was 0.55 (0.46–0.64). V˙O2peak was 17% (13%–21%) lower in girls after controlling for the lean mass of both legs and maturity offset. After controlling for body size and sex, a 1-yr increase in maturity offset (closer to peak height velocity) was associated with a 6% (4%–9%) higher V˙O2peak.
CONCLUSIONSAllometric scaling of V˙O2peak by the lean mass of both legs provides the best model for quantifying growth-related changes in aerobic fitness in pediatric populations, although this model is only marginally superior to the total lean body mass model. There is no support for the total body mass model. Maturity and sex are also important covariates exerting a size-independent influence on peak aerobic fitness.
The United Kingdom and Ireland have a well-established research base in motor competence (MC) research, ranging from reporting and monitoring levels of MC, developing assessment tools for MC, ...providing innovative curriculum and intervention design to support learning and development, as well as providing advocacy for particular groups, such as those with motor impairments. This expert statement, on behalf of the International Motor Development Research Consortium, draws together what is currently known about levels of MC in the United Kingdom and Ireland as well as current approaches to intervention in both countries. Subsequently presented are recommendations for researchers and practitioners to advance the field of MC for the benefit of children and youth in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and worldwide.
This study evaluated the impact and acceptability of a three-hour bespoke training workshop for sports coaches and teachers to subsequently deliver a sport-for-health smoking prevention intervention ...in primary schools. Questionnaires were completed pre- and post-training by both teachers (N = 24) and coaches (N = 8), and post-intervention by teachers. Interviews were also conducted with coaches (N = 7) and teachers (N = 12). Both groups displayed a significant increase in intervention knowledge and delivery self-efficacy from pre- to post-training, which was maintained at post-intervention for teachers. Data suggest that a brief training workshop is acceptable to practitioners and fosters confidence to implement a sport-for-health smoking prevention program.
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IJS, NUK, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
This study compared children's physical activity (PA) levels, the prevalence of children meeting current guidelines of ≥60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), and PA-health associations ...using individually calibrated (IC) and empirical accelerometer cutpoints. Data from 75 (n = 32 boys) 10-12 year old children were included in this study. Clustered cardiometabolic (CM) risk, directly measured cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), anthropometric and 7 day accelerometer data were included within analysis. PA data were classified using Froude anchored IC, Evenson et al. (Evenson, K. R., Catellier, D. J., Gill, K., Ondrak, K. S., & McMurray, R. G. (2008). Calibration of two objective measures of physical activity for children. Journal of Sports Sciences, 26(14), 1557-1565. doi:10.1080/02640410802334196) (Ev) and Mackintosh et al. (Mackintosh, K. A., Fairclough, S. J., Stratton, G., & Ridgers, N. D. (2012). A calibration protocol for population-specific accelerometer cutpoints in children. PLoS One, 7(5), e36919. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0036919) (Mack) cutpoints. The proportion of the cohort meeting ≥60mins MVPA/day ranged from 37%-56% depending on the cutpoints used. Reported PA differed significantly across the cutpoint sets. IC LPA and MPA were predictors of CRF (LPA: standardised β = 0.32, p = 0.002, MPA: standardised β = 0.27 p = 0.013). IC MPA also predicted BMI Z-score (standardised β = -0.35, p = 0.004). Ev VPA was a predictor of BMI Z-score (standardised β = -0.33, p = 0.012). Cutpoint choice has a substantial impact on reported PA levels though no significant associations with CM risk were observed. Froude IC cutpoints represent a promising approach towards classifying children's PA data.
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BFBNIB, FSPLJ, GIS, IJS, KISLJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in indoor air is a substantial risk factor for many health issues. Children are particularly susceptible to ETS with increased risk of asthma attacks, respiratory ...infec- tions and sudden infant death syndrome. The health effects of ETS are well researched in adults, but few studies examine the impact on children’s cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). CRF has been shown to be a useful biomarker for monitoring health effects which would normally be too subtle to iden- tify at rest. In adults, ETS has been shown to reduce CRF, and children may be at greater risk due to high respiration rates and developing organs. This preliminary research tests the hypothesis that ETS has a detrimental impact on CRF in children. Twenty-five children (9–11 years) from one Merseyside primary school were recruited. ETS exposure was determined by parental surveys and coupled with children’s exhaled carbon monoxide concentration. CRF was determined using a VO peak test, with lung function assessed using standard spirometry, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) provided an indication of lung inflammation. Initial results show that children exposed to ETS had statically lower CRF scores (p = 0.048) and were more likely to be classified as ‘unfit’ compared to children not exposed. A negative correlation was found between the number of cigarettes smoked at home and children’s CRF (r = −0.526, p = 0.008), suggesting a possible dose–response relationship. Spirometry and FeNO values were not statistically different between groups. Results indicate that ETS exposure is likely to be detrimental to children’s CRF. They highlight the need for further work, on a larger dataset that will allow more robust analysis with greater statistical power. To the author’s knowledge, this study is the first of its kind to use laboratory-based fitness measurements to explore associations between ETS and CRF in children.
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