scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Motor Intervention Program on Motivation and Learning of English Vocabulary in Preschoolers: A Pilot Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Rosario Padial-Ruz ◽  
Raquel García-Molina ◽  
Esther Puga-González
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Early Age ◽  
Effective Learning ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Healthy Habits ◽  
Motivation And Learning ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

(1) Background: Linking physical activity to the teaching of curricular contents provides numerous motivational and emotional benefits which improve academic performance and lead to the improvement and creation of healthy habits from an early age. (2) Method: The objective of the study is to analyze the effectiveness of a 5-week intervention program based on the use of a combined methodology of physical activity and gestures on motivation and vocabulary learning in English. The sample of children was aged from 4 to 7 years and was recruited from three children’s centers in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. A quasi-experimentalstudy was carried out using a pretest–posttest design in a sample (n = 88). (3) Results: Statistically significant results were obtained in the learning of words through the combined methodology of gestures and motor activity, compared to the traditional methodology used in the control group. (4) Conclusions: The main conclusions are that motor and expressive activities at an early age can be an effective motivational resource that promotes an increase in children’s physical activity time in the classroom. Further, it improves academic performance, producing a more effective learning of the vocabulary of a second language.

scholarly journals Accelerometers: Devices that contribute to healthy aging (Acelerómetros: Los dispositivos que contribuyen al envejecimiento saludable)

Retos ◽  
2016 ◽  
pp. 44-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Leirós-Rodríguez ◽  
Mª Elena Arce ◽  
José L. García-Soidán ◽  
Gael Naveira-Barbeito
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Senior Citizens ◽  
Persuasive Technology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Habits ◽  
Experimental Group

In this paper accelerometers were used as a persuasive technology to monitor exercise training and to promote healthy habits in senior citizens. The sample was composed by 100 users of a nursing home. Subjects were randomly assigned to an experimental and a control group. The intervention program lasted four months. Both groups carried accelerometers on a daily bases during one month, with no prior indication about exercise practice. The procedure was repeated two months later, but the experimental group was encouraged to increase the amount of time devoted to physical activity. Results showed a statistically significant increase in the amount and intensity of physical activity, regardless of whether subjects received the incentive to do it. These findings support the efficiency of using accelerometers as persuasive technology, as well as for generating new opportunities for active and healthy aging.Resumen. En este trabajo se utilizó un acelerómetro como una tecnología persuasiva para supervisar la práctica de ejercicio y promover hábitos saludables en las personas de edad avanzada. La muestra fue compuesta por 100 usuarios de un hogar de ancianos. Los sujetos fueron asignados aleatoriamente a un grupo experimental y un grupo control. El programa de intervención duró cuatro meses. Ambos grupos llevaron el acelerómetro durante un mes diariamente, sin ninguna indicación previa sobre la práctica de ejercicio. Dos meses después, se repitió el procedimiento, pero el grupo experimental fue alentado a incrementar la cantidad de tiempo dedicada a la actividad física. Los resultados mostraron un aumento estadísticamente significativo en la cantidad e intensidad de la actividad física, independientemente de si los sujetos recibieron el incentivo para hacerlo. Estos hallazgos apoyan la eficacia de la utilización de acelerómetros como la tecnología persuasiva, que la generación de nuevas oportunidades para el envejecimiento activo y saludable.

scholarly journals Effect of Linear and Nonlinear Pedagogy Physical Education Interventions on Children’s Physical Activity: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (SAMPLE-PE)

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Matteo Crotti ◽  
James R. Rudd ◽  
Simon Roberts ◽  
Lynne M. Boddy ◽  
Katie Fitton Davies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Usual Practice ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity ◽  
Pedagogical Approaches

Background: School-based interventions are a key opportunity to improve children’s physical activity (PA); however, there is lack of evidence about how pedagogical approaches to motor learning in physical education (PE) might affect PA in children. Therefore, this study aimed to assess how different pedagogical approaches in PE might affect children’s PA. Methods: Participants (n = 360, 5–6 years) from 12 primary schools within the SAMPLE-PE randomized controlled trial were randomly allocated to either Linear Pedagogy (LP: n = 3) or Nonlinear Pedagogy (NP: n = 3) interventions, where schools received a 15-week PE intervention delivered by trained coaches, or to a control group (n = 6), where schools followed usual practice. ActiGraph GT9X accelerometers were used to assess PA metrics (moderate-to-vigorous PA, mean raw acceleration and lowest acceleration over the most active hour and half hour) over whole and segmented weeks at baseline, immediately post-intervention and 6 months follow-up. Intention to treat analysis employing multilevel modelling was used to assess intervention effects. Results: LP and NP interventions did not significantly affect children’s PA levels compared to the control group. Conclusion: PE interventions based on LP and NP alone might not be effective in improving habitual PA in children.

scholarly journals Feasibility of Social-Network-Based eHealth Intervention on the Improvement of Healthy Habits among Children

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1404 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Alberto Benítez-Andrades ◽  
Natalia Arias ◽  
María Teresa García-Ordás ◽  
Marta Martínez-Martínez ◽  
Isaías García-Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Group Versus ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Habits ◽  
Ehealth Intervention

This study shows the feasibility of an eHealth solution for tackling eating habits and physical activity in the adolescent population. The participants were children from 11 to 15 years old. An intervention was carried out on 139 students in the intervention group and 91 students in the control group, in two schools during 14 weeks. The intervention group had access to the web through a user account and a password. They were able to create friendship relationships, post comments, give likes and interact with other users, as well as receive notifications and information about nutrition and physical activity on a daily basis and get (virtual) rewards for improving their habits. The control group did not have access to any of these features. The homogeneity of the samples in terms of gender, age, body mass index and initial health-related habits was demonstrated. Pre- and post-measurements were collected through self-reports on the application website. After applying multivariate analysis of variance, a significant alteration in the age-adjusted body mass index percentile was observed in the intervention group versus the control group, as well as in the PAQ-A score and the KIDMED score. It can be concluded that eHealth interventions can help to obtain healthy habits. More research is needed to examine the effectiveness in achieving adherence to these new habits.

Paternal Lifestyle-Related Parenting Practices Mediate Changes in Children’s Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors: Findings From the Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids Community Randomized Controlled Trial

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1327-1335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam B. Lloyd ◽  
David R. Lubans ◽  
Ronald C. Plotnikoff ◽  
Philip J. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Parenting Practices ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intervention Effect ◽  
Wait List Control ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Logistic Support ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

Background:This study examined potential parenting-related mediators of children’s physical activity and dietary behavior change in the Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids (HDHK) community program.Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 45 overweight/obese (mean [SD] age = 39.8 [5.4] years; BMI = 32.4 [3.8]) fathers and their children (n = 77; 58% boys; mean [SD] age = 7.7 [2.5] years). Families were randomized to either the HDHK program or wait-list control group. The program involved 7 sessions. Fathers and their children were assessed at baseline and at 14 weeks for physical activity (pedometery) and core food intake (Questionnaire). Fathers’ lifestyle-related parenting practices included; self-efficacy, beliefs, modeling, logistic support, rules, cophysical activity, shared mealtime frequency and intentions.Results:Significant intervention effects were found for cophysical activity and modeling physical activity. Cophysical activity mediated children’s physical activity in the intervention (‘mediated effect,’ AB = 653, 95% CI = 4–2050) and was responsible for 59.5% of the intervention effect. Fathers’ beliefs mediated children’s percent energy from core foods (AB = 1.51, 95% CI = 0.05–5.55) and accounted for 72.9% of the intervention effect.Conclusions:Participation in the HDHK program positively impacted on fathers’ cophysical activity with their child and beliefs about healthy eating which mediated changes in children’s diet and physical activity behaviors.

Effects of a Curriculum-Integrated Dance Program on Children’s Physical Activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 1179-1183
Author(s):  
Geeta Sharma ◽  
Tom Stewart ◽  
Scott Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Intervention Effects ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
School Time ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

Background: Curriculum-integrated dance programs are a promising but relatively under-researched strategy for increasing children’s physical activity (PA). The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a curriculum-integrated dance program on children’s PA. Methods: A total of 134 primary children aged 7–9 years from 4 New Zealand schools were assigned to either a dance group (n = 78) or a control group (n = 56). The dance group participated in a 6-week curriculum-integrated dance program during school time. Although the dance program focused on curricular learning, fitness and coordination were embedded in the dance sessions. Intensity of PA varied according to the focus of each dance session. PA was measured at baseline and postintervention using a waist-mounted ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer for 8 consecutive days. Results: There were no significant intervention effects on PA levels between the dance and control groups postintervention. Conclusion: Dance-embedded learning did not increase overall levels of PA in this study. Future studies may consider assessing longer term effects of a dance-based intervention, or programs that place more focus on PA promotion.

scholarly journals Daily School Physical Activity Improves Academic Performance

Sports ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Jesper Fritz ◽  
Marcus E. Cöster ◽  
Björn E. Rosengren ◽  
Caroline Karlsson ◽  
Magnus K. Karlsson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Intervention Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Compulsory School ◽  
Final Grade ◽  
School Based ◽  
Percentage Points ◽  
Upper Secondary ◽  
The Mean

Physical activity (PA) may improve brain development, cognition, concentration and academic performance. In this prospective controlled intervention study, we increased the level of PA in 338 children aged 6–8 years at study start, from the Swedish standard of 60 min per week to 200 min per week (40 min daily). The intervention continued in all nine compulsory school years until the students graduated between 2007–2012. All other 689,881 Swedish children who graduated the same years were included as a control group. We registered at graduation eligibility rate for upper secondary school and the final grade score (from 0 to 320 grade points). We also registered the same end points in the 295 students in the index school and in all other 471,926 Swedish students who graduated in 2003–2006, that is, those who graduated before the intervention study started. Before the intervention, academic performance was similar among children in the index school as for all other Swedish boys and girls. With the intervention, the eligibility rate increased for boys in the index school by 7.3 percentage points and the mean grade scores by 13.3 points. This should be compared with a decrease of 0.8 percentage points in eligibility rate and an increase by 2.7 points in grade score in other Swedish boys. No changes were seen for intervention girls, neither in eligibility rates or grade scores. By introducing daily school-based PA in compulsory school, more boys would probably reach the eligibility rate for higher education.

“Camminando e Leggendo ...   Ricordo” (Walking and Reading ...   I Remember): Prevention of Frailty Through the Promotion of Physical Activity and Reading in People with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Results from the TREDEM Registry

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 689-699
Author(s):  
Maurizio Gallucci ◽  
Anna Paola Mazzarolo ◽  
Lucia Focella ◽  
Cinzia Piovesan ◽  
Manuela Mazzetto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Older People ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Active Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Frailty Status ◽  
One Year

Background: Frailty is a condition of increased vulnerability to exogenous and endogenous stressors, which is correlated with aging, functional decline, institutionalization, hospitalization, and mortality. Given the multifaceted nature of frailty, programs aimed at its prevention are recommended to act on multiple domains. Objective: The present intervention program aimed at assessing the effects of combined physical and cognitive training in older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and at investigating how their frailty status changed over one year of follow-up. Methods: Two-hundred and seven participants were recruited among outpatients of the Cognitive Impairment Center who agreed to receive a comprehensive assessment. Forty-six participants, who joined a structured program of physical activity and group readings for a period of one year, were defined as active. The remaining 161, who decided not to engage in those activities, were considered controls. In both groups, frailty status was assessed at baseline and over one year of follow-up. Results: Control participants showed twice the risk of becoming frail at 12 months compared with those in the active group. Participants in the active group had more than three times the probability of improving their frailty status compared with the control group from T0 to T12. Age and NPI scores were significantly associated with worsening frailty status. When analyses were restricted to participants who were robust at baseline, the frailty status varied significantly between groups over time. Conclusion: Findings of the present study confirm the beneficial effects of physical activity and reading to prevent frailty in older people with MCI.

scholarly journals Relationship of Parental Support on Healthy Habits, School Motivations and Academic Performance in Adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moral-García ◽  
Urchaga-Litago ◽  
Ramos-Morcillo ◽  
Maneiro
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Parental Support ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Sports Activity ◽  
Higher Alcohol ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthy Habits

The objective of the study was to analyze how parental support relates to the physical activity practice, satisfaction with sports, level of physical activity, academic performance and alcohol consumption. Descriptive cross-sectional study, with 1100 adolescents (12–16 years old), where the factors related to parental support, gender and age acted as independent variables, and satisfaction with sport, level of physical activity (PA), academic performance and alcohol consumption acted as dependent variables. A multivariate statistical analysis was conducted. Adolescents with little parental support show (p < 0.001) more boredom, less fun, worse academic performance and higher alcohol consumption. Gender shows differences (p < 0.001) experiencing girls more boredom, less fun, less PA practice and higher academic performance than boys. Age establishes (p < 0.01) that older adolescents (15–16 years old) experience more boredom, less fun, less PA practice, lower academic performance and higher alcohol consumption than young boys and girls (12–14 years old). Parental support towards PA practice improves healthy habits, benefits academic performance and school satisfaction with physical and sports activity.

scholarly journals A Coordinated Comprehensive Professional Development Training’s Effect on Summer Day Camp Staff Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Promoting Behaviors

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1170-1178 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Glenn Weaver ◽  
Michael W. Beets ◽  
Ruth P. Saunders ◽  
Aaron Beighle
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Systematic Observation ◽  
Type Method ◽  
Observation Instruments ◽  
Professional Development Training ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity

Background:The YMCA of USA recently adopted Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards for their summerday- camps (SDCs). Standards call for staff to exhibit HEPA promoting behaviors while eliminating HEPA discouraging behaviors. No studies have evaluated training programs to influence policy specified staff behaviors and related changes in child activity in SDCs.Method:Four YMCA SDCs serving approximately 800 children/week participated in this no control group pre/post pilot study. Professional development training founded in the 5 Ms (Mission, Model, Manage, Monitor, Maximize) and LET US Play principles (lines; elimination; team size; uninvolved staff/kids; and space, equipment, and rules) was delivered to staff. Outcomes were staff promotion behaviors and child activity assessed via systematic observation instruments.Results:Twelve of 17 HEPA staff behaviors changed in the appropriate direction from baseline to postassessment with 5 behaviors reaching statistically significant changes. The percentage of girls and boys observed in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity increased from 15.3% to 18.3% (P > .05) and 17.9% to 21.2%, whereas sedentary behavior decreased from 66.8% to 59.8% and 62.3% to 53.6%, respectively.Conclusion:Evidence suggests that the professional development training designed to assist SDCs to meet the HEPA Standards can lead to important changes in staff behaviors and children’s physical activity.

A Physical Activity Intervention Program in School is Also Accompanied by Higher Leisure-Time Physical Activity: A Prospective Controlled 3-Year Study in 194 Prepubertal Children

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Cronholm ◽  
Björn E. Rosengren ◽  
Caroline Karlsson ◽  
Magnus K. Karlsson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Environmental Interventions ◽  
Prepubertal Children ◽  
Sedentary Activities

Background:The activity-stat theory infers that total physical activity (PA) in children is constant, independent of environmental interventions.Methods:We conducted a 3-year prospective population-based controlled PA intervention study including, at baseline, 7- to 9-year-old children (66 boys, 40 girls in the intervention and 50 boys, 38 girls in the control group). PA was increased in the intervention group from 60 to 200 minutes/week, while the controls maintained 60 minutes/week. We registered weekly duration of total PA and leisure-time PA and daily duration of sedentary activities, through questionnaires at baseline and 2 and 3 years after baseline.Results:Between intervention and control groups PA was similar before intervention start. After intervention start, total PA in both genders was increased during the entire period (P-values adjusted for age and Tanner stage at follow-up between 0.001 and 0.002). Duration of sedentary activities was unchanged with no group differences. Children in the intervention group changed their behavior so that they also achieved more leisure-time PA.Conclusions:A 3-year school-based PA intervention program in prepubertal children increases the duration of total PA without increasing the duration of sedentary activities, and the program seems to initiate more PA during leisure-time. Our results refute the activity-stat theory.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document