Physical Activity Interventions During the School Day: Reviewing Policies, Practices, and Benefits

Abstract

BACKGROUNDThere are many ways to increase physical activity (PA) during the school day as part of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Plan. This article reviews policies and practices that can be used during the school day to increase PA for students.METHODSWe searched systematic reviews for articles that met criteria (2010‐2018, phase 1), followed by a search for individual articles addressing topics for which we did not identify a sufficiently relevant or recent review or to update an earlier review that concluded insufficient evidence (2010‐2020, phase 2). We included 45 articles (45 studies, 54 interventions).RESULTSWe grouped studies by intervention type: school‐wide PA approaches to reach all students within the school setting (17), physical education (PE) interventions (13), and interventions related to recess (15). Few studies involved secondary schools or rural settings. Among 45 studies reporting PA behavior or fitness outcomes, 37 reported at least 1 improvement.CONCLUSIONSPA policies, PE, and recess can help improve school health by increasing the PA levels of students.

The relationship between weight status and food environments, peer influence and dietary intake among high-school students: a case-control study

“…These findings confirm the importance of physical activity in weight management. A recent review article indicated that a variety of effective actions including physical education and recess are effective to increase the student’s level of physical activity (Cornett et al , 2023).…”

Measuring Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes at Elementary Schools Involved in SNAP-Ed New Mexico Programming, 2018–2022

“…SNAP-Ed NM purposefully focuses programming, including PSE intervention efforts, on schools located in low-income communities that, in New Mexico, predominantly serve Hispanic and American Indian students. Effective PSE efforts in these schools can improve physical activity and nutrition, reduce health disparities linked to obesity, and improve health equity ( 12 ).…”

“…In 2018, the New Mexico Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-Ed NM) incorporated PSE interventions into a state plan to increase healthy eating and physical activity. Data on the effectiveness of individual PSE interventions (eg, implementing nutrition standards for school meals, providing access to drinking water, and redesigning playgrounds to encourage physical activity during recess) are available ( 11 , 12 ). However, data on efforts to implement multiple PSE strategies in partnership with multiple elementary schools are not.…”

Transforming Evidence Into Action: A Commentary on School‐Based Physical Activity and Nutrition Intervention Research

“…We found evidence supporting existing recommendations for comprehensive school PA programs that include school-level PA policies, PE and recess during the school day, and focused PA interventions offered multiple times a week before or after school to increase student PA and, in some cases, reduce sedentary behavior. 9 , 14 , 17 , 22 …”

“…Employing low or no cost strategies, such as taste testing; pre-slicing fruit for meal programs; promoting free and reduced-price meal programs; holding recess before lunch; adding more minutes for recess and free play as well as classroom-based PA; and adopting existing health and PE curricula and programs to meet diverse cultural needs of students. 17 , 18 , 20 …”