Author(s): BLACKBURN, P., LAROUCHE, A., PLOUFFE, J., Institution: UNIVERSITÉ DU QUÉBEC À CHICOUTIMI, Country: CANADA, Abstract-ID: 913

INTRODUCTION:
School-based interventions combining nutritional education, physical activity, reduced sedentary activities and a behavioral management component have been reported to promote a healthy body weight, cardiometabolic health, and the acquisition of a healthy lifestyles. It also appears that school health education programs are associated with higher levels of physical activity and a better physical fitness among children. Interventions in which parents are involved also appear to be more effective than those performed without parents. Indeed, parents play an important role in acquiring a healthy lifestyle for their children, such as a balanced diet and a physically active lifestyle.
METHODS:
Thirty-three children (6 boys / 27 girls) aged between 10 and 13 years were included in this study. They participated in two to three workshops per week for 25 weeks. One to two sessions were devoted to physical activity and the last weekly meeting was specific to nutrition. Anthropometric measurements and physical fitness were measured at the beginning as well as at the end of intervention.
RESULTS:
Based on body mass index, our participants were not considered as overweight or obese. Furthermore, participants had a good perception of their sports skills. Indeed, participants indicated that they perceived themselves as having excellent or good sports skills. In terms of motivation, we asked the students what motivated them to be active. Here are the three reasons encouraging our participants to practice a sport or physical activity. These reasons remain similar from the beginning to the end of the program. The first motivation is to be in better shape (19 (70.3%) at the beginning and 21 (77.8%) at the end), the second is to maintain good health (19 (70.3%) at the beginning and 21 (77.8%) at the end), and the third motivation is to spend more time with their friends (15 (55.6%) at the beginning and 16 (59.3%)). During the intervention, participants reported more hours of moderate and high-intensity physical activity per week (+2.34 hours/week). However, this increase was not significant. We found a significant improvement in most of the physical tests performed during the study: grip strength (p=0.0015), seated sit-ups (p<0.0001), arm extensions (p<0.0001) and flexibility (p=0.0099). Cardiorespiratory fitness, measured with the 20-m shuttle run, was also significantly improved during the intervention (p=0.0002).
CONCLUSION:
This study demonstrates that a 25 weeks school intervention program is sufficient to improve physical fitness of children.