Cardiovascular Disease and the Effects of a Cross-curricular Physical Activity Intervention

NCT ID: NCT00998478

Last Updated: 2009-10-20

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 192 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2009-01-31
• Study Completion Date: 2009-07-31

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a cross-curricular physical activity intervention on cardiovascular disease risk factors in 11-14 year olds. The null hypothesis states that the intervention will have no effect on cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Detailed Description

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease including obesity, blood pressure and blood lipids have been shown to track from childhood through to adulthood. The prevalence of overweight and obesity for children (4-18 years) in the UK is reported to be 15 % and 4 % respectively. Furthermore, in comparison to England (2.9 %) obesity is more prevalent for those living in Scotland (7.6 %) and Wales (6.5 %). Previous research from two Welsh secondary schools indicate overweight and obesity rates for boys and girls aged 12-13 to be even greater at 26 % and 38 % respectively. Further to this, 19 % were identified as having elevated total cholesterol (≥5.2 mmol/L).

For many, overweight and obesity is the result of the combined effect of excess energy consumption and inadequate physical activity. Previous school-based physical activity interventions have demonstrated modest improvements to cardiovascular disease risk factors by implementing extra-curricular activities or improving current physical education curriculum. Few have attempted to increase physical activity using normally, class-room taught curriculum subjects. This study examines the impact of activity knowledge circuits to combat cardiovascular disease risk factors in 11-14 year old children.

Conditions

Cardiovascular Disease

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NON_RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Activity prescription

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Activity Knowledge Circuits

Intervention Type: OTHER

The activity knowledge circuits were implemented, where in addition to regular physical education (PE) activity was increased by two hours a week over an 18-week period. Participants briskly walked 3200 m twice weekly during curriculum lessons (60 min). Short tasks, in line with current curriculum, were provided by subject teachers for participants to complete at stations set every 400 or 800 m. Crucially participants continued to follow national curriculum whilst exercising. Tasks designed by teachers lasted no longer than 60 seconds at each station. With the exception of PE, each curriculum subject delivered a total of four intervention lessons. Circuits were performed outdoors on school premises, with an indoor course of equal distance used during adverse weather conditions.

Normal Curriculum

Followed normal curriculum including physical education

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Activity Knowledge Circuits

The activity knowledge circuits were implemented, where in addition to regular physical education (PE) activity was increased by two hours a week over an 18-week period. Participants briskly walked 3200 m twice weekly during curriculum lessons (60 min). Short tasks, in line with current curriculum, were provided by subject teachers for participants to complete at stations set every 400 or 800 m. Crucially participants continued to follow national curriculum whilst exercising. Tasks designed by teachers lasted no longer than 60 seconds at each station. With the exception of PE, each curriculum subject delivered a total of four intervention lessons. Circuits were performed outdoors on school premises, with an indoor course of equal distance used during adverse weather conditions.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Any pupil attending years 7, 8, and 9 of a secondary comprehensive school in South Wales

Exclusion Criteria

• Any pupil with an injury or illness that prevented them from taking part in any form of physical activity.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 11 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 14 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Sports Council Wales

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of Wales Institute Cardiff

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of Glamorgan

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

University of Wales Institute Cardiff

Principal Investigators

Gareth J Knox, MSc

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Wales Institute Cardiff

Locations

Porth County Community School

Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taff, United Kingdom

Countries

United Kingdom

References

Knox G, Baker JS, Davies B, Faulkner S, Rance J, Rees A, Morgan K, Thomas N. A cross-curricular physical activity intervention to combat cardiovascular disease risk factors in 11-14 year olds: 'activity knowledge circuit'. BMC Public Health. 2009 Dec 15;9:466. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-9-466.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 20003492 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

AKC01

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id