The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and feasibility of a resistancetraining (RT) and lifestyle-activity program for sedentary older adults. Eligible participants (N = 44) were randomized to an 8-wk intervention or a control group. The primary outcome was lower body muscle strength, and participants completed a range of secondary outcomes. There was a significant group-by-time interaction for lower body muscle strength (difference = 3.9 repetitions [reps], 95% CI = 2.0–5.8 reps; p < .001; d = 1.0). Changes in secondary outcomes were generally small and not statistically significant. Attendance and program satisfaction were both high. A combined elastic-tubing RT and lifestyle-activity program delivered in the community setting is an efficacious and feasible approach to improve health in sedentary older adults.
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Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial: Elastic-Resistance-Training and Lifestyle-Activity Intervention for Sedentary Older Adults
David R. Lubans, Chris M. Mundey, Nicole J. Lubans, and Chris C. Lonsdale
Findings From the EASY Minds Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial: Evaluation of a Physical Activity Integration Program for Mathematics in Primary Schools
Nicholas Riley, David R. Lubans, Kathryn Holmes, and Philip J Morgan
Background:
To evaluate the impact of a primary school-based physical activity (PA) integration program delivered by teachers on objectively measured PA and key educational outcomes.
Methods:
Ten classes from 8 Australian public schools were randomly allocated to treatment conditions. Teachers from the intervention group were taught to embed movement-based learning in their students’ (n = 142) daily mathematics program in 3 lessons per week for 6 weeks. The control group (n = 98) continued its regular mathematics program. The primary outcome was accelerometer-determined PA across the school day. Linear mixed models were used to analyze treatment effects.
Results:
Significant intervention effects were found for PA across the school day (adjusted mean difference 103 counts per minute [CPM], 95% confidence interval [CI], 36.5–169.7, P = .008). Intervention effects were also found for PA (168 CPM, 95% CI, 90.1–247.4, P = .008) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (2.6%, 95% CI, 0.9–4.4, P = .009) in mathematics lessons, sedentary time across the school day (–3.5%, 95% CI, –7.0 to –0.13, P = .044) and during mathematics (–8.2%, CI, –13.0 to –2.0, P = .010) and on-task behavior (13.8%, 95% CI, 4.0–23.6, P = .011)—but not for mathematics performance or attitude.
Conclusion:
Integrating movement across the primary mathematics syllabus is feasible and efficacious.
Impact of Embedding High-Intensity Interval Training in Schools and Sports Training on Children and Adolescent’s Cardiometabolic Health and Health-Related Fitness: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Narelle Eather, Mark Babic, Nicholas Riley, Sarah A. Costigan, and David R. Lubans
Purpose: This systematic review aimed to identify studies evaluating the impact of high-intensity interval training when delivered in school and sports training. Methods: A systematic search of 10 databases (September 2019) identified 24 eligible studies (including children and/or adolescents 5–18 years and reporting cardiometabolic health and/or health-related fitness outcomes), assessed for quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool (version 2.0). Outcomes were synthesized using a random-effects meta-analysis, and potential moderators were explored (i.e., study duration, risk of bias, age, and deliverer/instructor). Results: Standardized mean difference for the effects of high-intensity interval training were significant for body mass index g = −0.27 (p < .001), cardiorespiratory fitness g = 0.27 (p < .001), lower body muscular fitness g = 0.49 (p = .005), and upper body muscular fitness g = 0.37 (p = .002); but not for blood pressure (p > .05). Risk of bias results were variable (low = 8, some concerns = 9, and high = 7). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that embedding high-intensity interval training in schools and sports training can facilitate improvements in some aspects of cardiometabolic health and fitness in children and adolescents.
The Relationship between Pedometer Step Counts and Estimated VO2Max as Determined by a Submaximal Fitness Test in Adolescents
David R. Lubans, Philip J. Morgan, Robin Callister, and Clare E. Collins
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between pedometer step counts and estimated VO2max as determined by a submaximal exercise test. Participants (N = 115; 65 girls, 50 boys) wore pedometers for five days and completed the Queen’s College Step Test (QCST). Based on these results participants were classified as HIGH, MOD, or LOW cardiorespiratory fitness. Boys accumulated more steps per day (p < .05) than girls (12,766 ± 4,923 versus 10,887 ± 2,656). The relationship between estimated VO2max and mean steps/day was moderate (r = .34, p < .01). Participants classified as having HIGH fitness levels accumulated more steps/day than LOW-fit adolescents (p < .05). The results from this study suggest that estimated VO2max as determined by a submaximal exercise test is moderately associated with mean steps/day in adolescents.
Feasibility and Provisional Efficacy of Embedding High-Intensity Interval Training Into Physical Education Lessons: A Pilot Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial
Nigel Harris, Isaac Warbrick, Denise Atkins, Alain Vandal, Lindsay Plank, and David R. Lubans
Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of generalist school teachers delivering curriculum connected high-intensity interval training in a school’s physical education class time. Method: Two schools volunteered to participate. A total of 84 students (11.9 [0.5] y, M = 64 and F = 19) volunteered to participate. Four classes from 2 schools were randomized to either intervention (n = 53) or control (n = 31) for one school term (8 wk). Intervention class teachers participated in a 1-day workshop instructing them how to deliver twice weekly, high-intensity interval training sessions. The control classes continued with their usual physical education curriculum. Recruitment, intervention fidelity, and program satisfaction were assessed. Preliminary efficacy (primary outcome cardiorespiratory fitness) was quantified using generalized linear mixed models, expressed as effect size. A range of secondary outcomes was also assessed. Results: The recruitment rate was 88%. About 84% of the sessions were delivered. The heart rate peak over all sessions was 89.6% (13%) of the predicted maximum. The intervention teachers reported high levels of satisfaction. Almost all student participants were positive about participating. No adverse events occurred. The adjusted between-group difference for cardiorespiratory fitness was trivial (effect size 0.02). Conclusions: This teacher-delivered high-intensity interval training program was feasible and acceptable to both teachers and student participants. It is therefore potentially scalable.
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
Adam B. Lloyd, David R. Lubans, Ronald C. Plotnikoff, and Philip J. Morgan
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.
What is the Contribution of Actual Motor Skill, Fitness, and Physical Activity to Children’s Self-Perception of Motor Competence?
Lisa M. Barnett, David R. Lubans, Anna Timperio, Jo Salmon, and Nicola D. Ridgers
This study aimed to examine the contribution of objective measures of physical fitness (musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory), physical activity, and motor skill to motor perception. A total of 122 children (63 boys) aged 8–11 years were assessed. Independent t-tests assessed sex differences in all variables. Two linear mixed models adjusted for sex and age were performed with perceived object control and locomotor skills (Pictorial Scale of the Perceived Movement Skill Competence for Young Children) as outcomes. Aerobic (multi-stage fitness test) and muscular fitness (long jump, grip strength), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (ActiGraph accelerometry), movement skill (Test of Gross Motor Development-2), age, and sex were predictors. Boys had higher object control skills (actual and perceived) and fitness. Age (decreasing) and long jump distance (positive) explained 16% of locomotor skill perception variance. Sex (boys) explained 13% of object control skill perception variance. Children’s skill self-perception may be influenced by fitness attributes as these are more evident to them. The fact that girls have lower actual object control competence and fitness than boys suggests girls may be an intervention target.
Results From Australia’s 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
Natasha K. Schranz, Timothy Olds, Roslyn Boyd, John Evans, Sjaan R. Gomersall, Louise Hardy, Kylie Hesketh, David R. Lubans, Nicola D. Ridgers, Leon Straker, Stewart Vella, Jenny Ziviani, and Grant R. Tomkinson
Background:
Two years on from the inaugural Active Healthy Kids Australia (AHKA) Physical Activity Report Card, there has been little to no change with the majority of Australian children still insufficiently active.
Methods:
The 2016 AHKA Report Card was developed using the best available national- and state-based physical activity data, which were evaluated by the AHKA Research Working Group using predetermined weighting criteria and benchmarks to assign letter grades to the 12 Report Card indicators.
Results:
In comparison with 2014, Overall Physical Activity Levels was again assigned a D- with Organized Sport and Physical Activity Participation increasing to a B (was B-) and Active Transport declining to a C- (was C). The settings and sources of influence again performed well (A- to a C+), however Government Strategies and Investments saw a decline (C+ to a D). The traits associated with physical activity were also graded poorly (C- to a D).
Conclusions:
Australian youth are insufficiently active and engage in high levels of screen-based sedentary behaviors. While a range of support structures exist, Australia lacks an overarching National Physical Activity Plan that would unify the country and encourage the cultural shift needed to face the inactivity crisis head on.
Determining the Initial Predictive Validity of the Lifelong Physical Activity Skills Battery
Ryan M. Hulteen, Lisa M. Barnett, Philip J. Morgan, Leah E. Robinson, Christian J. Barton, Brian H. Wrotniak, and David R. Lubans
Participation in lifelong physical activities, such as yoga, golf, tennis, or running, are common endeavors in adolescence and adulthood. However, there is a lack of understanding of how competent individuals are in the skills needed for these activities and how competency in these skills relates to physical activity and fitness. This study aimed to determine the initial predictive validity of the Lifelong Physical Activity Skills Battery related to physical activity and health-related fitness. One-hundred and nine adolescents from four schools (55 males, 54 females; Mage = 15.82 years, SD = 0.37 years) completed: demographic information (survey), height (stadiometer), weight (digital scale), motor skill assessment (jog, grapevine, squat, push-up, upward dog, warrior one, tennis forehand, golf swing), health-related fitness (standing long jump, back-saver sit and reach, 3-min submaximal step test, 90° push-up test), and physical activity (GENEActiv accelerometers). Correlations and multiple regression models were conducted in SPSS version 24.0. Motor competence was associated with muscular fitness (standing long jump, β = 0.24, p = .002; push-ups, β = 0.42, p < .001), cardiorespiratory fitness (β = 0.21, p = .031), and flexibility (β = 0.23, p = .025), but not physical activity (β = 0.17, p = .154) or body mass index (β = −0.05, p = .622). Motor competence has a stronger association with health-related fitness parameters rather than physical activity.
A Qualitative Study Exploring People’s Experience With the Multicomponent Community-Based Physical Activity Intervention ecofit During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Anna K. Jansson, David R. Lubans, Jordan J. Smith, Mitch J. Duncan, Vibeke Hansen, and Ronald C. Plotnikoff
Background: The COVID-19 global pandemic greatly impacted lifestyles and physical activity routines. This study explored how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted participant experience and motivation in ecofit, a large, community-based, multicomponent intervention that supports aerobic and resistance-based physical activity using publicly available, outdoor exercise facilities and smartphone technology. Methods: Fifteen participants from the intervention arm of the study were interviewed. Audiotaped telephone interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by a researcher uninvolved in the intervention. Through an inductive thematic approach, data were coded and organized into themes. The quantitative measure of participant smartphone application engagement was used as a classification during analysis. Results: Several themes representing participants’ experience of the COVID-19 pandemic in their engagement with ecofit, overall physical activity levels, motivation to exercise, and perception and usage of outdoor gym facilities were identified. Conclusion: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical trials is beginning to emerge. Although the present study showed a mixed impact of the pandemic on participation in the ecofit program, the overall implications for the intervention are yet to be determined. Interestingly, although a large review found a negative impact of COVID-19 on physical activity, this sample reported an overall increase.
