Effect of a Three-Month HOPSports Brain Breaks® Intervention Program on the Physical Fitness Levels of Grade 6-Learners in South Africa

Abstract

Despite the numerous health benefits of being physically active, children are not active enough. Various researchers have indicated that intervention programs improve physical fitness levels. Still, only a few have focused on improving physical fitness levels by incorporating technology. HOPSports Brain Breaks® are designed and presented as physical activity solutions with online videos requiring the participants to imitate the movements. These videos are 2–5-min classroom activity breaks. This study determined the effect of a three-month HOPSports Brain Breaks® intervention program on the physical fitness levels of Grade 6-learners. Physical fitness was measured with the EUROFIT test battery. The experimental group consisted of 79 children (26 boys and 47 girls) and the control group of 47 children (16 boys and 33 girls). The mean age for the entire group was 11.92 (±0.36) years. The results indicated that there was a statistically (p ≤ 0.05) and practically (d ≥ 0.20) significant difference between the experimental and control group for percentage body fat; stork balance; plate tapping; sit-and-reach; standing jump; sit-ups; and 10 × 5 m shuttle run and 20 m shuttle run between the pre-and post-test. Therefore, considering the results mentioned above, the HOPSports Brain Breaks® intervention program can indeed contribute to the improvement of physical fitness, and motor skills of children. Therefore, future studies should be conducted to determine the effect of HOPSports Brain Breaks® between genders as well as what impact it will have on academic performance.

Effects of a Short Video Physical Activity Program on Physical Fitness Among Physical Education Students

“…One of the reasons for the fitness improvements observed in the experimental group could be that, after the children watched the videos, they made a connection between the importance and benefits of PA and actually increased their own PA. Other research has also revealed that the BB videos were effective in increasing students’ self-efficacy levels in learning about PA and health (Uzunöz et al, 2017), in understanding the benefits of a healthy life (Emeljanovas et al, 2014; Tumynaite et al, 2014; Van Biljon & Longhurst, 2010), and in positively changing their attitudes towards health (Bonnema et al, 2020). In a study carried out by West and Shores (2014) to investigate the effects of the BB PA videos on the PA level of seventh- and eighth-grade students, there was an increase in the duration of student participation in moderate to vigorous activities.…”

“…PE teachers, who play an essential role in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of PE, must use supplementary resources in their lesson plans to teach PA concepts. Within this literature, studies have emphasized that short video-based Brain Break (BB) videos have positive effects on increasing children’s PA levels (Uzunöz, et al, 2017; Chin et al, 2012; Bonnema et al, 2020). The videos in the Brain Break Physical Activity (BB PA) program (HOPSports, n.d.) are included in a technology supported platform that encourages students to increase their PA levels, and this method of instruction can be applied both in the classroom and at home (Popeska et al, 2018).…”

‘Life became harder with COVID-19’: Impacts of COVID-19 on youth living in eThekwini district, South Africa, a qualitative analysis of responses to an online survey

“…Furthermore, as a substantial portion of these mental health repercussions stems from heightened socioeconomic instability, public health policies and interventions should prioritize economic revitalization for youth in the region. This involves nancial support for youth and their families, educational and career development programs, and initiatives promoting health and wellness, including access to nutritious food [46], physical activity [47], and comprehensive support [48,49].…”

‘Life became harder with COVID-19’: An exploration of grief, intensified hardships, and silver linings of COVID-19 among youth living in eThekwini district, South Africa

“…Furthermore, as a substantial portion of these mental health repercussions stems from heightened socioeconomic instability, public health policies and interventions should prioritize economic revitalization for youth in the region. This involves nancial support for youth and their families, educational and career development programs, and initiatives promoting health and wellness, including access to nutritious food [46], physical activity [47], and comprehensive support [48,49].…”