Future classroom-based physical activity studies should match outcome measures to intervention period and use objective physical activity measures¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 2 claims (2 for) · 1 study (1 quant-synthesis), q3 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The review's forward-looking design recommendation is that "Future studies should consider the intervention period when selecting academic-related outcome measures, and use an objective measure of physical activity to determine intervention fidelity and effects on overall physical activity levels." This responds to the review's findings that achievement effects varied by assessment tool and duration, and that fidelity reporting was sparse — no curriculum-focussed active break study reported fidelity, and teacher-delivered active breaks lacked compliance reporting.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Select academic-related outcome measures appropriate to the intervention period
• Use an objective measure of physical activity to determine intervention fidelity and effects on overall physical activity levels

Constraints¶

• The review notes it is not possible to draw definitive conclusions due to the level of heterogeneity in intervention components and academic-related outcomes assessed

Target Learners¶

• primary (elementary) school-aged children aged 5–12 years

Target Learning Goals¶

• academic achievement measurement
• physical activity fidelity assessment

Claims¶

• Classroom-based physical activity showed no statistically significant pooled effect on cognitive function in primary school children (SMD = 0.33, CI crossing zero) [+W]
• Classroom-based physical activity interventions did not affect children's overall physical activity levels in meta-analysis (SMD = 0.40, CI crossing zero) [+W]

Related Strategies¶

• Future CB-PA research and practice should use standardized, ecologically valid outcome measures, objective activity parameters, and longitudinal designs
• Future physical activity intervention studies should report activity intensity and include physical fitness measures as objective indicators
• Future active-classroom research should use adequately powered, well-randomized trials measuring a wide range of student outcomes

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Watson Amanda, Timperio Anna, Brown Helen, Best Keren, Hesketh Kylie D. (2017). Effect of classroom-based physical activity interventions on academic and physical activity outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0569-9