Fifteen minute activity breaks along with activity logs may influence physical activity behavior

(5.) Ernst & Pangrazi. (1999). Effects of a physical activity program on children’s activity levels and attraction to physical activity. Pediatric Exercise Science, 11, 393-405

Target Group: Elementary school children (grades 4-6)

Program Name: Promoting Lifetime Physical Activity for Youth

Location: Southwestern United States

Program Theory: unknown

Study Objective: To determine the effects of a physical activity program on children’s physical activity levels and attitudes towards physical activity.

Study Design:
- randomized trial - 14 intervention classes and 14 control classes from 5 suburban schools
- physical activity and "attraction of physical activity" was measured pre and post intervention by self-report; health-related physical fitness measured by standardized tests

Intervention or Program:
Intevention:
- 12 week intervention; complement to physical activity classes
- Step One (4 weeks): students and classroom teachers took a 15 minute activity break each day; teachers encouraged student participation, taught and participated in games and activities during breaks
-Step Two (8 weeks): students asked to record daily physical activity; no activity breaks

Control:
- 12 weeks
- Step One (4 weeks): 15 minute activity break daily; teachers did not encourage student participation, teach games or activities, or participate.
- Step Two (8 weeks): students asked to record how much TV they watched the previous day

Impact on Physical Activity:
- reported level of physical activity was significantly higher among intervention boys and girls at 4 weeks (following step one of intervention)
- there was no change in activity at 12 week post-test
- for control girls and boys, there was no difference from pretest to 12 weeks posttest
- girls in the intervention group reported significantly higher scores on attraction (positive attitudes) towards physical activity; no difference for boys

Comments:
- authors suggested that recording daily physical activity helped maintain physical activity level gains