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School Physical Education: Effect of the Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health

Background.Physical inactivity is a risk behavior for cardiovascular and other diseases. Schools can promote public health objectives by increasing physical activity among youth.Methods.The Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH) was a multicenter, randomized trial to test the e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Preventive medicine 1996-07, Vol.25 (4), p.423-431
Main Authors: McKenzie, Thomas L., Nader, Philip R., Strikmiller, Patricia K., Yang, Minhua, Stone, Elaine J., Perry, Cheryl L., Taylor, Wendell C., Epping, Jacqueline N., Feldman, Henry A., Luepker, Russell V., Kelder, Steve H.
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Language:English
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Summary:Background.Physical inactivity is a risk behavior for cardiovascular and other diseases. Schools can promote public health objectives by increasing physical activity among youth.Methods.The Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH) was a multicenter, randomized trial to test the effectiveness of a cardiovascular health promotion program in 96 public schools in four states. A major component of CATCH was an innovative, health-related physical education (PE) program. For 2.5 years, randomly assigned schools received a standardized PE intervention, including curriculum, staff development, and follow-up.Results.Systematic analysis of 2,096 PE lessons indicated students engaged in more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in intervention than in control schools (P= 0.002). MVPA during lessons in intervention schools increased from 37.4% at baseline to 51.9%, thereby meeting the established Year 2000 objective of 50%. Intervention children reported 12 more min of daily vigorous physical activity (P= 0.003) and ran 18.6 yards more than control children on a 9-min run test of fitness (P= 0.21).Conclusions:The implementation of a standardized curriculum and staff development program increased children's MVPA in existing school PE classes in four geographic and ethnically diverse communities. CATCH PE provides a tested model for improving physical education in American schools.
ISSN:0091-7435
1096-0260
DOI:10.1006/pmed.1996.0074