scholarly journals A School-Based Exercise Intervention Program Increases Muscle Strength in Prepubertal Boys

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanna Stenevi-Lundgren ◽  
Robin M. Daly ◽  
Magnus K. Karlsson

This prospective controlled intervention study over 12 months evaluated the effect of exercise on muscular function, physical ability, and body composition in pre-pubertal boys. Sixty-eight boys aged 6–8 years, involved in a general school-based exercise program of 40 min per school day (200 min/week), were compared with 46 age-matched boys who participated in the general Swedish physical education curriculum of mean 60 min/week. Baseline and annual changes of body composition were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), stature, and body mass by standard equipments, isokinetic peak torque (PT) of the knee extensors, and flexors at 60 and 180 deg/sec by computerized dynamometer (Biodex) and vertical jump height (VJH) by a computerized electronic mat. The annual gain in stature and body mass was similar between the groups whereas the increase in total body and regional lean mass (P<.001) and fat mass (P<.001) was greater in the exercise group. The one-year gain in body mass-adjusted knee extensor and flexor PT at 180 deg/sec was significantly greater in the intervention group compared with the control group (P<.01, adjusted for age at baseline andP<.001, adjusted for age and muscle strength at baseline, resp.). There was no group difference in VJH. In conclusion, the increase in school-based physical education from 60 to 200 minutes per week enhances the development of lean body mass and muscle strength in pre-pubertal boys.

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 455-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arto Gråstén ◽  
Anthony Watt ◽  
Jarmo Liukkonen ◽  
Timo Jaakkola

Background:The study examined the effects of school-based program on students’ self-reported moderate to vigorous physical activity and physical competence, and associated links to gender, grade, body mass index, and physical education assessments.Methods:Participants were 240 middle school students (143 intervention, 97 control) from 3 small cities in North-East Finland. The intervention group received task-involving climate support in physical education classes and additional physical activities during school days across 1 year.Results:The intervention group’s physical competence increased, whereas the control group’s competence remained stable across the period. However, physical activity levels were stable in both groups. The findings also showed that body mass index was negatively associated with physical competence and activity in the intervention group at the follow-up measure. Physical education assessments were positively related with only the baseline scores of physical competence in the intervention group. In contrast, the assessments had positive relationships with physical competence and activity of control group students.Conclusions:The present program was an effective protocol to increase student’s perceptions of physical competence. Since the quantity of school physical education including recess activities cannot be dramatically increased, positive learning experiences should be provided, and thus, support perceptions of physical competence.


2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Woods ◽  
Paul E. Jose

AbstractThis study set out to determine the efficacy of a school-based early intervention program (the Kiwi ACE program) with Māori and Pacific adolescents experiencing depressive symptoms. A large group (N = 419) of Māori and Pacific students (average age 14 years) was screened for depressive symptoms and, from a pool of students scoring greater than 63 on the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), 56 students were randomly assigned to either an intervention or control group. After attrition, the final sample constituted 24 young people after one year. The intervention comprised eight 90-minute sessions conducted in school time. Students were taught to more fully understand the relationships between thinking, feeling and behaviour, to challenge beliefs and to solve interpersonal problems. At immediate posttest (p = .045) and at one-year follow-up (p < .001) a significant effect for condition was obtained: the intervention group reported lower depressive symptoms. Efficacy of the intervention was supported by qualitative data obtained from focus groups. Further controlled trials on a larger scale are recommended to establish the durability and generalisability of the effects of program participation.


2001 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliahu Sadres ◽  
Alon Eliakim ◽  
Naama Constantini ◽  
Ronnie Lidor ◽  
Bareket Falk

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 2 school years (21 months) of a twice-weekly resistance training program on stature, muscle strength, and self-concept among prepubertal boys. The experimental group (E, n = 27) aged 9.2 ± 0.3 yrs, participated in progressive resistance training, while the control group (C, n = 22) aged 9.4 ± 0.3 yrs, participated in standard physical education classes (as advised by the Ministry of Education). Training sessions included 1–4 sets of 3–6 exercises, with 5–30 repetitions/set. The load ranged between 30% and 70% 1RM. No differences were observed in the gain in body height between groups. Muscle strength increased significantly more in E (e.g., knee extensors: 0.51 ± 0.13 to 0.77 ± 0.16 kg/kg body mass), compared with C (0.34 ± 0.12 to 0.54 ± 0.11 kg/kg body mass). One minor injury was reported throughout the study. Initial scores of self-concept were high in both groups, with no training effect. The results demonstrate that among prepubertal boys, a twice-weekly low-to-moderate-intensity resistance training program over a period of 2 school years (21 months) can result in enhancement in muscle strength with no detrimental effect on growth.


Author(s):  
Yan Liang ◽  
Patrick W. C. Lau ◽  
Yannan Jiang ◽  
Ralph Maddison

Given the cultural emphasis on academic achievement and environmental constraints to physical activity (PA), active video games (AVGs) may be used to decrease sedentary behavior and increase PA of Hong Kong children. This study explored the potential of a school-based AVG intervention on sedentary time, PA, body composition, and psychosocial factors among children. Eighty-seven children (intervention n = 30) were recruited from one primary school. Classes in Grades 4–6 were allocated to either the intervention group or the control group in a 2:1 ratio. The eight-week intervention involved children playing AVGs in an after-school class twice a week. Participants in the control group continued with their usual activities. Outcome included the change of participants in sedentary time, PA, percentage body fat, body mass index (BMI), and psychosocial variables (enjoyment, self-efficacy and social support), from baseline to eight weeks. No significant group differences were observed in sedentary time (−33.9 min/day, 95% CI −70.8 to 4.8; p = 0.07). The intervention group significantly increased total PA (53.7 counts/min, 95% CI 8.6 to 104.2; p = 0.04) compared with those in the control condition. No differences were found in body composition and psychosocial variables. However, significant treatment effects were found on BMI z score among boys (−0.1, 95% CI −0.2 to 0; p = 0.04). An eight-week school-based AVG intervention delivered during after-school hours was effective in increasing activity levels among Hong Kong children. The treatment effects of AVGs on sedentary behavior and body composition need to be further demonstrated in a more robust study, especially in boys.


Sports ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Cronholm ◽  
Erik Lindgren ◽  
Björn E. Rosengren ◽  
Magnus Dencker ◽  
Caroline Karlsson ◽  
...  

This 7.5-year prospective controlled exercise intervention study assessed if daily school physical activity (PA), from before to after puberty, improved musculoskeletal traits. There were 63 boys and 34 girls in the intervention group (40 min PA/day), and 26 boys and 17 girls in the control group (60 min PA/week). We measured musculoskeletal traits at the start and end of the study. The overall musculoskeletal effect of PA was also estimated by a composite score (mean Z-score of the lumbar spine bone mineral content (BMC), bone area (BA), total body lean mass (TBLM), calcaneal ultrasound (speed of sound (SOS)), and muscle strength (knee flexion peak torque)). We used analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) for group comparisons. Compared to the gender-matched control group, intervention boys reached higher gains in BMC, BA, muscle strength, as well as in the composite score, and intervention girls higher gains in BMC, BA, SOS, as well as in the composite score (all p < 0.05, respectively). Our small sample study indicates that a daily school-based PA intervention program from Tanner stage 1 to 5 in both sexes is associated with greater bone mineral accrual, greater gain in bone size, and a greater gain in a musculoskeletal composite score for fractures.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarina Melzer ◽  
Anne Renaud ◽  
Stefanie Zurbuchen ◽  
Céline Tschopp ◽  
Jan Lehmann ◽  
...  

AbstractBetter understanding is needed regarding the effects of exercise alone, without any imposed dietary regimens, as a single tool for body-weight regulation. Thus, we evaluated the effects of an 8-week increase in activity energy expenditure (AEE) on ad libitum energy intake (EI), body mass and composition in healthy participants with baseline physical activity levels (PAL) in line with international recommendations. Forty-six male adults (BMI = 19·7–29·3 kg/m2) participated in an intervention group, and ten (BMI = 21·0–28·4 kg/m2) in a control group. Anthropometric measures, cardiorespiratory fitness, EI, AEE and exercise intensity were recorded at baseline and during the 1st, 5th and 8th intervention weeks, and movement was recorded throughout. Body composition was measured at the beginning and at the end of the study, and resting energy expenditure was measured after the study. The intervention group increased PAL from 1·74 (se 0·03) to 1·93 (se 0·03) (P < 0·0001) and cardiorespiratory fitness from 41·4 (se 0·9) to 45·7 (se 1·1) ml O2/kg per min (P = 0·001) while decreasing body mass (−1·36 (se 0·2) kg; P = 0·001) through adipose tissue mass loss (ATM) (−1·61 (se 0·2) kg; P = 0·0001) compared with baseline. The control group did not show any significant changes in activity, body mass or ATM. EI was unchanged in both groups. The results indicate that in normal-weight and overweight men, increasing PAL from 1·7 to 1·9 while keeping EI ad libitum over an 8-week period produces a prolonged negative energy balance. Replication using a longer period (and/or more intense increase in PAL) is needed to investigate if and at what body composition the increase in AEE is met by an equivalent increase in EI.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6814
Author(s):  
Carmelo García-Baños ◽  
Jacobo Ángel Rubio-Arias ◽  
Luis Manuel Martínez-Aranda ◽  
Domingo Jesús Ramos-Campo

Physical education is considered an ideal environment for improving physical fitness and muscle strength through exercise and training. This systematic review aimed to analyze studies where an intervention was implemented in Secondary School Physical Education classes to improve muscle strength. The literature search was carried out in the SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Web of Science and ScienceDirect databases. We selected randomized and nonrandomized interventions conducted in Physical Education with adolescents aged 13–18 years, where muscle strength was evaluated, comparing a control group with one or more experimental groups. From the identified works after applying the levels of screening and eligibility, eight articles were chosen for the final analysis. Data collection and risk of bias assessment were performed independently by a single reviewer. The interventions of the included studies employed varied training loads, materials, and exercises. Significant improvements were achieved in all interventions for different strength measurement tests such as the Countermovement Jump (CMJ), Standing Long Jump (SLJ) and Squat Jump (SJ) tests, medicine ball throwing test, maximum isometric strength, manual dynamometry, push-up and curl-up tests, and maximum repetition tests. Strength training can be applied safely and effectively in Secondary Education. However, methodological differences in interventions have been identified; therefore, further research is needed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 151 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Theis ◽  
Meghan A Brown ◽  
Paula Wood ◽  
Mark Waldron

ABSTRACT Background Spastic cerebral palsy (CP) is characterized by muscle weakness owing, in part, to a blunted muscle protein synthetic response. This might be normalized by long-term leucine supplementation. Objectives The study assessed the effects of 10 wk leucine supplementation in adolescents and adults with CP. Methods The study was a single-center randomized controlled trial. Twenty-four participants were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 12) or a leucine group (n = 12). l-Leucine (192 mg/kg body mass) was dissolved in water and administered daily for 10 wk. The primary outcome measures of elbow flexor muscle strength and muscle volume (measured by 3D ultrasound technique) and inflammation [C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration] were assessed before and after the 10 wk, alongside the secondary outcomes of body composition (measured by CP-specific skinfold assessment), metabolic rate (measured by indirect calorimetry), and wellbeing (measured by a self-reported daily questionnaire). Data were compared via a series of 2-factor mixed ANOVAs. Results Twenty-one participants completed the intervention (control group: n = 11, mean ± SD age: 18.3 ± 2.8 y, body mass: 48.8 ± 11.9 kg, 45% male; leucine group: n = 10, age: 18.6 ± 1.7 y, body mass: 58.3 ± 20.2 kg, 70% male). After 10 wk, there was a 25.4% increase in strength (P = 0.019) and a 3.6% increase in muscle volume (P = 0.001) in the leucine group, with no changes in the control group. This was accompanied by a 59.1% reduction in CRP (P = 0.045) and improved perceptions of wellbeing (P = 0.006) in the leucine group. No changes in metabolism or body composition were observed in either group (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusions Improvements in muscle strength and volume with leucine supplementation might provide important functional changes for adults and adolescents with CP and could be partly explained by reduced inflammation. The improved wellbeing highlights its capacity to improve the quality of daily living. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03668548.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 470-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kris Beattie ◽  
Brian P. Carson ◽  
Mark Lyons ◽  
Ian C. Kenny

Cycling economy (CE), power output at maximal oxygen uptake (WV̇O2max), and anaerobic function (ie, sprinting ability) are considered the best physiological performance indicators in elite road cyclists. In addition to cardiovascular function, these physiological indicators are partly dictated by neuromuscular factors. One technique to improve neuromuscular function in athletes is through strength training. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a 20-wk maximal- and explosive-strength-training intervention on strength (maximal strength, explosive strength, and bike-specific explosive strength), WV̇O2max, CE, and body composition (body mass, fat and lean mass) in cyclists. Fifteen competitive road cyclists were divided into an intervention group (endurance training and strength training: n = 6; age, 38.0 ± 10.2 y; weight, 69.1 ± 3.6 kg; height, 1.77 ± 0.04 m) and a control group (endurance training only: n = 9; age, 34.8 ± 8.5 y; weight, 72.5 ± 7.2 kg; height, 1.78 ± 0.05 m). The intervention group strength-trained for 20 wk. Each participant completed 3 assessments: physiology (CE, WV̇O2max, power at 2 and 4 mmol/L blood lactate), strength (isometric midthigh pull, squat-jump height, and 6-s bike-sprint peak power), and body composition (body mass, fat mass, overall leanness, and leg leanness). The results showed significant between- and within-group changes in the intervention group for maximal strength, bike-specific explosive strength, absolute WV̇O2max, body mass, overall leanness, and leg leanness at wk 20 (P < .05). The control group showed no significant within-group changes in measures of strength, physiology, or body composition. This study demonstrates that 20 wk of strength training can significantly improve maximal strength, bike-specific explosive strength, and absolute WV̇O2max in competitive road cyclists.


Author(s):  
Manjula R. ◽  
Ashok S. Dorle ◽  
B. S. Mannapur ◽  
Sachin Desai ◽  
Ashalatha Mallapur

Background: Childhood obesity is associated with a higher chance of premature death and disability in adulthood, according to the World Health Organization. More than two-thirds of the adolescents aged 11-17 years are physically inactive in India as per WHO standards. Hence, school based Healthy life style curriculum development is the need of the hour for school children. The objectives of the study were to promote healthy lifestyle, by implementing school based intervention program (physical activity and nutrition education) for healthy body mass index among school children; to study the correlation between the body mass index and academic performance (secondary objective).Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in the randomly selected schools of Bagalkot. A total of 598 students in intervention group and 575 students in control group participated in the study. Baseline information about demographic characteristics was obtained using pre-designed proforma. For intervention group, multicomponent programme was implemented based on child and adolescent trial for cardiovascular health model and the comprehensive school health programme model by the USA, centre for disease control. After 2 years, post-interventional data was collected.Results: In pre-test intervention group majority of participants (37.4%) were having normal BMI, while 26.8% participants were obese. In post-test intervention group majority of participants (45.7%) were having normal BMI, while 23.1% participants were obese. In pre-test control group majority of participants (34.7%) were having normal BMI, while 27.1% participants were obese. In post-test control group majority of participants (38.7%) were having normal BMI, while 26.4% participants were obese. Majority of the students attained normal BMI after the intervention. BMI of the participants is negatively correlated to academic performance (r=-0.025).Conclusions: The life style changes such as physical activity, yoga and meditation are the need of the hour among the schoolchildren, helps in maintenance of healthy BMI.


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