School-Based Randomized Controlled Trial of a Physical Activity Intervention among Adolescents

• Published in: Journal of adolescent health 2007-03, Vol.40 (3), p.258-265
• Main Authors: Haerens, Leen, M.A, De Bourdeaudhuij, Ilse, Ph.D, Maes, Lea, Ph.D, Cardon, Greet, Ph.D, Deforche, Benedicte, Ph.D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Adolescents; Biological and medical sciences; Environment; Female; Health Education - methods; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Intervention; Life Style; Male; Medical sciences; Middle school; Motor Activity; Parent-Child Relations; Pediatrics; Physical activity; Physical Education and Training - methods; Prevention and actions; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; School Health Services; Specific populations (family, woman, child, elderly...)
• ISSN: 1054-139X; 1879-1972
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.09.028

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the effects of a middle school physical activity intervention, new in combining an environmental and computer tailored component; and to evaluate the effects of parental involvement. Methods A clustered randomized controlled design was used. A random sample of 15 schools with 7th and 8th graders was randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) intervention with parental support, (b) intervention alone, and (c) control group. The intervention was new in combining environmental strategies with computer-tailored feedback to increase levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity. The intervention was implemented by the school staff. Physical activity was measured through a questionnaire in the total sample and with accelerometers in a sub sample of adolescents. Results The intervention with parental support led to an increase in self-reported school-related physical activity of, on average, 6.4 minutes per day ( p ≤ .05, d = .40). Physical activity of light intensity measured with accelerometers decreased with, on average, 36 minutes per day as a result of the intervention with parental support ( p ≤ .05, d = .54). Physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity measured with accelerometers significantly increased with on average 4 minutes per day in the intervention group with parental support, while it decreased with almost 7 minutes per day in the control group ( p ≤ .05, d = .46). Conclusions The physical activity intervention, implemented by the school staff, resulted in enhanced physical activity behaviors in both middle school boys and girls. The combination of environmental approaches with computer-tailored interventions seemed promising.