Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Multi-Component Interventions Through Schools to Increase Physical Activity

• Published in: Journal of physical activity & health 2015-10, Vol.12 (10), p.1436-1446
• Main Authors: Russ, Laura B, Webster, Collin A, Beets, Michael W, Phillips, David S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Exercise; Humans; Meta-analysis; Physical education; Physical Education and Training - methods; Schools; Systematic review
• ISSN: 1543-3080; 1543-5474
• DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2014-0244

A "whole-of-school" approach is nationally endorsed to increase youth physical activity (PA). Aligned with this approach, comprehensive school physical activity programs (CSPAP) are recommended. Distinct components of a CSPAP include physical education (PE), PA during the school day (PADS), PA before/after school (PABAS), staff wellness (SW), and family/community engagement (FCE). The effectiveness of interventions incorporating multiple CSPAP components is unclear. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted examining the effectiveness of multicomponent interventions on youth total daily PA. Electronic databases were searched for published studies that (1) occurred in the US; (2) targeted K-12 (5-18 years old); (3) were interventions; (4) reflected ≥ 2 CSPAP components, with at least 1 targeting school-based PA during school hours; and (5) reported outcomes as daily PA improvements. Standardized mean effects (Hedge's g) from pooled random effects inverse-variance models were estimated. Across 14 studies, 12 included PE, 5 PADS, 1 PABAS, 2 SW, and 14 FCE. No studies included all 5 CSPAP components. Overall, intervention impact was small (0.11, 95% CI 0.03-0.19). As designed, there is limited evidence of the effectiveness of multicomponent interventions to increase youth total daily PA. Increased alignment with CSPAP recommendations may improve intervention effectiveness.