Elementary school physical activity opportunities and physical fitness of students: A statewide cross-sectional study of schools

Cheung, Patricia C; Franks, Padra; Kramer, Michael R.; Kay, Christi; Drews‐Botsch, Carolyn; Welsh, Jean A.; Gazmararian, Julie A.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0210444

Cited by 16 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Considering the school setting, it is possible to plan for activities that fulfil these requirements, especially in PE programs, and therefore promote health-related CRF in PE. However, evidence has demonstrated that most students spend less than 50% of PE time in moderate-to-vigorous PA [31], and that PE time is not associated with students' CRF [32].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Promoting Health-Related Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Physical Education: The Role of Class Intensity and Habitual Physical Activity

Peralta

Santos

Henriques‐Neto

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Physical education (PE) has the potential to promote health-related fitness, however, its contribution is still not clear. The aim of this study was to assess whether students’ health-related cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) improved from the beginning to the end of the school year, and to examine the role of PE class intensity and habitual physical activity (PA) in promoting students’ CRF. This observational study employed a longitudinal design. Participants were 212 7th and 8th grade students (105 boys), mean age 12.9 years old, followed during one school year, from September 2017 to June 2018. The Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) was used to assess CRF at baseline and follow-up. PA was measured using accelerometers. PE class intensity was assessed using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time. Findings indicated that from the beginning to the end of the school year, a greater percentage of participants were in the CRF healthy fitness zone (73.1% to 79.7%, p = 0.022). Among boys, participating in organized sports (B = 4.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33, 8.88) and the percentage of PE time being very active (B = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.44, 1.35) were positively associated with the change in PACER laps. Among girls, daily vigorous PA (B = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.60) and participating in organized sports (B = 4.10, 95% CI: 0.93, 7.27) were also positively associated with PACER change, while being overweight or obese (B = −5.11, 95% CI: −8.28, −1.93) was negatively associated. In conclusion, PE was demonstrated to have a positive role in the promotion of CRF, especially among boys, while for girls, habitual PA seems to have a greater contribution. Nevertheless, results and conclusions should be considered carefully, taking into account study limitations, such as the non-direct measures of PE class intensity, CRF, and school setting.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Promoting Health-Related Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Physical Education: The Role of Class Intensity and Habitual Physical Activity

Peralta

Santos

Henriques‐Neto

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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“…Likewise, Coledam et al [45] found that higher physical fitness (e.g., cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength) was associated with being active during PE classes among Brazilian schoolchildren. Conversely, Cheung et al [46] found that physical fitness was not related to during-school PA in Georgian schoolchildren. This discrepancy could be explained by the different methodology applied (i.e., FitnessGram test) or by the fact that the information was reported by the teachers and not by the schoolchildren.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Intensity of Physical Activity in Physical Education Classes and School Recesses and Its Associations with Body Mass Index and Global Fitness Score in Spanish Schoolchildren

et al. 2021

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Background: Examining the association between excess weight or physical fitness and intensity of physical activity (PA) during Physical Education (PE) classes or school recesses and in children could be of great interest and importance, especially for future intervention programs or public policies related to PA. The aim of this study was to explore the association between intensity of PA in PE classes or school recesses and excess weight or global physical fitness in a sample of Spanish schoolchildren. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study in the Valle de Ricote (Region of Murcia, Spain). A final sample of 350 Spanish schoolchildren between 6 and 13 years of age was included from six different schools. Intensity of PA during PE classes and recesses was assessed by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). To assess physical fitness, the extended ALPHA fitness test battery was used. Body mass index (z-score) was calculated following the age- and sex-specific thresholds of the World Health Organization. Results: Both body mass index (z-score) and Global Fitness Score (z-score) were lower in schoolchildren engaging in high intensity of PA in both PE lessons and school (p < 0.05 for all). Lower odds of having excess weight were found in those who reported high intensity of PA in both PE classes and school recesses (OR = 0.54; CI 95%, 0.30–0.96). In these same participants, higher odds of being in the high Global Fitness Score tertile were found (OR = 1.96; CI 95%, 1.01–3.85). Conclusions: Our study showed that higher intensity of PA in PE classes and school recesses was associated with lower excess weight and higher global physical fitness.

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“…Previous studies have utilized the Fitnessgram's HFZ standards as a tool to assess physical health in specific populations or within individual states 28‐31 . In this study, we extended this investigation further to compare Fitnessgram data across many different states and grade levels in the United States.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

US School‐Based Physical Fitness Assessments and Data Dissemination

Krochmal

Radom‐Aizik

2021

Journal of School Health

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BACKGROUND Low physical fitness (PF) levels during childhood affect healthy growth and development, and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Physical education standards exist for nearly all states in the United States, but evaluation of PF in youth has yet to be systematic, reproducible, and harmonized. The purpose of this project was to describe publicly available data of school‐based PF testing (SB‐PFT). METHODS A list of state‐mandated SB‐PFT programs published by SHAPE 2016 was confirmed by contacting appropriate authorities. SB‐PFT data were obtained through each state's department of education. RESULTS Sixteen states mandate SB‐PFT, with 10 states providing publicly available data; 92% to 100% of states perform the pacer/mile, curl‐up, and push‐up; 54.2% to 78.5% of elementary and 44% to 66.5% of high‐school youth are in the “healthy fitness zone” for aerobic capacity. CONCLUSIONS SB‐PFT provided PF data in children across the United States. The variability and inconsistency in reporting and in the values, however, raises questions about the current status of SB‐PFT data and its utility in assessing PF in children. The critical nature of PF assessments is highlighted in the current COVID‐19 pandemic, during which physical education has been curtailed, and emerging data demonstrate worsening of the already low levels of PF in youth.

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Elementary school physical activity opportunities and physical fitness of students: A statewide cross-sectional study of schools

Cited by 16 publications

References 41 publications

Promoting Health-Related Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Physical Education: The Role of Class Intensity and Habitual Physical Activity

Promoting Health-Related Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Physical Education: The Role of Class Intensity and Habitual Physical Activity

Intensity of Physical Activity in Physical Education Classes and School Recesses and Its Associations with Body Mass Index and Global Fitness Score in Spanish Schoolchildren

US School‐Based Physical Fitness Assessments and Data Dissemination

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