Effects of School-Based Exercise Program on Obesity and Physical Fitness of Urban Youth: A Quasi-Experiment

Abstract

(1) Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate if an after-school intervention program could prevent obesity and promote the physical fitness of urban sedentary school children. (2) Methods: A 16-week after-school physical fitness program was provided to 36 middle school students (7th, 8th, and 9th graders) recruited from a middle school for three days a week. They were high-risk youth showing poor health status (level 4 or 5) in the regular physical fitness evaluation conducted. Their body mass index (BMI), cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, quickness, and flexibility were evaluated. (3) Results: A paired sample t-test was used (α = 0.05). There were statistical differences ((x ± s), p < 0.05) between the pre-Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) (13.36 ± 4.98 (# of laps)) and post-PACER (18.64 ± 6.31 (# of laps)) (p < 0.001), between the pre-sit-up (18.06 ± 7.22 (# of sit-ups)) and post-sit-up (24.89 ± 7.52 (# of sit-ups)) (p < 0.001), and between the pre-Trunk Flexion (2.64 ± 3.49 ((cm))) and post-Trunk Flexion (5.97 ± 2.78 ((cm)) (p < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between the pre-50m-Run (10.74 ± 1.30 ((sec))) and post-50m-Run results (10.69 ± 1.25 (sec)) (p = 0.063) or between the pre-BMI (24.84 ± 3.97 (kg/m2)) and post-BMI (24.76 ± 3.61 (kg/m2)) (p = 0.458). Overall, the physical fitness measures improved, whereas BMI did not change after 16 weeks. (4) Conclusion: Sixteen weeks of the school-based Health-related Physical Fitness (HrPF) program can be effective in improving overall physical fitness levels of adolescents, although additional treatments would be required to change BMI, which showed no improvement in the present study. It is concluded that in order for adolescents to maintain and promote physical fitness and health, participation in a school-based HrPF program is recommended for at least 30 min a day, three days a week. In addition, schools should provide high-risk youth with easy access to physical activities that are similar to the objectives of the physical education curriculum. In order to promote the health of school-age children, each school should establish and operate school-based systematic intervention programs.

Changes in Physical Fitness among Elementary and Middle School Students in Korea before and after COVID-19

“…Especially noticeable were the changes seen in both male and female students in the final year of elementary school and the first year in middle school. A previous study by Song et al [ 25 ] reported significant improvement in flexibility (pre = 2.64 ± 3.49, post = 5.98 ± 2.78) through a 16-week health exercise program geared toward adolescents. Lee et al [ 24 ] also reported improved flexibility after a one-year physical activity program.…”

“…Considering this gap in the existing research, this study attempted to analyze changes in health-related physical fitness before and after the COVID-19 pandemic for elementary and middle school students in Korea using data obtained through the physical fitness promotion system (PAPS). Since 2010, all public and private schools in Korea have participated in the PAPS, which aims to evaluate physical fitness and provide exercise-related guidance to elementary, middle, and high school students based on assessments of physical factors such as power, flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle endurance, and body composition [ 24 , 25 ]. The impact of PAPS has been assessed by various studies.…”

“…The impact of PAPS has been assessed by various studies. For instance, Song et al [ 25 ] examined the effect of providing students with various exercise programs on obesity and physical fitness. Lee et al [ 24 ] reported improvements in physical fitness at a one-year follow-up assessment when high school students were provided morning exercise programs.…”

Evidencing the Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Imposed Lockdown Measures on Fitness Status in Adolescents: A Preliminary Report

“…Accordingly, a Norwegian school-based intervention on physical activity resulted in increased PAL and improved physical fitness in adolescents, with an emphasis on cardiorespiratory fitness [23]. Similarly, after 16 weeks of physical activity promotion, Korean adolescents increased their physical fitness levels [24].…”

The impact of COVID-19 on children's lives in the United States: Amplified inequities and a just path to recovery

“… 91 Physical education programs at school are associated with reductions in children's cardiometabolic risk factors. 92 , 93 School-based primary care clinics reach over six million children annually in the U.S. and school nurses provide monitoring of children's chronic health conditions and support compliance with immunizations and routine primary care. 94 Households with children (especially young children) are at high risk of energy insecurity, and during periods of heat and cold, schools offer students eight or more hours of shelter from the elements.…”