Effects of Intervention “Hopsport Brain Breaks” Program on Physical Fitness and Sedentary Behaviour in Primary School

Abstract

Background. Sedentary behaviour in children raise concern as the majority of children do not meet the health-related level of physical activity (PA) which is closely related with their physical fitness (PF). Digital facilities may help to solve the problem. Hypothesis. After the intervention “HOPSport Brain Breaks” physical fitness improves and sedentary behaviour decreases. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of “HOPSport Brain Breaks” video exercise intervention program on physical fitness and sedentary behaviour in a primary school.Methods. The study included 113 primary schoolchildren from grades 1–4, among them there were 62 children in the experimental group and 51 in the control group (Mean age = 8.24, SD = 1.10). PF was assessed using the test battery (Fjortoft, Pedersen, Sigmundsson, & Vereijken, 2011) pre- and post-intervention. Also passivity was measured twice using four questions from “Health Behaviour of School Children” questionnaire. The experimental group received Brain Breaks intervention every school day for three months in 5–9 min sessions during the breaks. Results. After three months physical fitness (PF) did not improve, but sedentary behaviour reduced in the experimental group compared to the controls (p < .05).Conclusions. The results have shown that fun and enjoyment, which are the background of Brain Breaks intervention, were important factors in reducing sedentary behaviour. Studies also show that the level of PA is proportionally higher when children are given the opportunity to play active games and experience fun (Wickel et al., 2007). It may be concluded that Brain Breaks intervention program contributes to physical health of primary schoolchildren.

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

“…This idea is supported by Warburton et al (2007), who stated that such videos de-emphasize competitive fitness and foster an environment in which obese, overweight, and inactive children can easily participate. Tumynaitė et al (2014) determined that BB PA videos only affected the development of arm muscle strength and agility, but did not increase endurance, speed, and leg strength. Their study also determined that BB PA videos had a significant effect on reducing students’ sedentary behavior.…”

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

“…The researchers and the teachers worked closely to select from the list of various two- to five-minute videos, which included arts (dance and music); fitness skills (cardio and functional fitness); sports (skillastics, cycling, rowing); education (health issues, nutrition, and hygiene); and classroom activities (fun fitness, dynamic physical education) [ 18 ]. Each video contains a real or animated instructor to demonstrate the different exercises that would improve children’s motor and physical skills [ 11 , 45 , 46 ]. The teacher was trained regarding the choice of videos and presentation of the program.…”

“…Research has indicated a positive relationship between physical inactivity and obesity in this sense, negatively impacting children’s physical skills [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. In accordance, De Milander [ 13 ] studied the relationship between PA, motor proficiency, and physical fitness in 12- to 13-year-old children and reported that lower motor and physical fitness skills result from declining PA levels.…”

“…It was indicated that the motor performance improved in both groups, whereas the experimental group’s improvements were more significant. Moreover, since children spend most of their time with technology, researchers have recently investigated technology-based intervention programs on physical fitness and PA [ 11 , 15 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ].…”

“…The results indicated that the experimental group’s daily PA levels increased compared to the control group, whose PA levels declined. In accordance, Tumynaitė et al [ 11 ] studied a three-month HOPSports Brain Breaks ® intervention program and its impact on physical fitness and sedentary behavior. It was found that physical fitness did not improve because of the program’s short duration, whereas overall sedentary behavior decreased.…”