Translational Health After School Program on Health-Related Knowledge/Behaviors and Exercise Perception

NCT ID: NCT02932813

Last Updated: 2017-10-17

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

73 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2017-01-30

Study Completion Date

2017-05-30

Brief Summary

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The aim of this study is to examine the effects of a translational health in nutrition and kinesiology (THINK) after school program on physical variables, nutrition and exercise knowledge base/behaviors, and exercise enjoyment and confidence.

Partnering with the YMCA investigators in the Kinesiology and Sport Sciences department at the University of Miami will set up the after-school THINK program offered three afternoons per week for nine months in two experimental and two control schools. The schools will consist of minority elementary school students (predominantly Hispanic and Black) in the South Florida area. The control schools will receive baseline, mid-year and follow-up testing nine months later, but will not go through the THINK program. They will instead go through their standard YMCA after school Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) program.

Detailed Description

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Two- thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, and that number continues to rise. Thus, it is not surprising that the prevalence of overweight/obesity has more than doubled in school children and tripled in adolescents. Concomitant with the rise in obesity has been a significant decrease in physical fitness levels (1,2). At least one study has shown the youth of today demonstrate lower aerobic fitness levels than their parents (3). Low aerobic fitness levels are most prevalent among Hispanic and Black (non-Hispanic) minority youth. No doubt the increases in TV viewing, computer time and technology have contributed to the increase in sedentary habits and decline in physical activity levels (4).

The THINK program translates fitness and health-related information into knowledge and skills that children can understand and incorporate into their own personal health and lifestyle behaviors. The program is unique in that it combines educational and hands-on clinical experiences with physical activity and exercise. The goal is to promote healthier, more active children of today who demonstrate improved levels of physical fitness, exercise knowledge, and enjoyment of tomorrow.

Each unit in the THINK program has three components: a seminar on the scientific aspects of a health-related theme, clinical experiences related to the theme, and related physical activities performed in the field. The THINK seminars engage students by getting them up and moving, while asking questions that prompt them to think creatively to come up with their own answers. Clinical experiences reinforce the educational themes allowing children to learn more about their bodies, how it functions, and how it adapts through various movement exercises. Finally, games and enjoyable physical activities round out the program contributing to enhanced motor skill development and improved physical fitness levels.

The THINK program will begin with a series of baseline physical assessments comprising both heath and performance-related physical fitness. Participants will also receive a quiz on nutrition and exercise-related information and two surveys regarding nutritional behaviors and physical activity levels. They will be asked to complete one survey on exercise enjoyment and self-confidence. Parents will also be asked to complete a survey each on their child's nutritional habits. This will be done in two experimental and two control YMCA after school programs comprising primarily minority (Hispanic and Black) participants. Testing will again take place midway through the program and at the conclusion of the program nine months later. The control group will not go through the THINK program but will instead go through the traditional SPARK curriculum.

The purpose of the study is to determine whether the THINK program results in improvements in physical fitness, nutrition and exercise knowledge/habits, and exercise enjoyment and self-confidence above that of the control group.

Conditions

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Changes in Physical Fitness Changes in Diet, Food, and Nutrition Habits Changes in Child Health

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Intervention Group

THINK intervention:

The program will have activity and fitness sessions lasting two hours, three times a week for a total of nine months. Sessions will include theory, clinical laboratory activities, and physically active games to facilitate a fun environment to enhance physical and health-related fitness, improve nutrition and exercise knowledge and behaviors, and exercise enjoyment and self-confidence.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

THINK Program

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Lessons and laboratory sessions will be 60 minutes, followed by physical activity sessions lasting 60 minutes. Laboratory activities include assessing heart rate, making healthy meals, learning portion sizes, brain challenges, and more. To improve physical activity participation, a wide selection of developmentally appropriate and multiculturally sensitive activities will be offered, such as sports, games, obstacle courses, and dance.

Control Group

This group will receive the traditional YMCA SPARK after-school program. They will undergo the same pre, mid, and post testing protocol as the intervention group, but will not receive the THINK program.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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THINK Program

Lessons and laboratory sessions will be 60 minutes, followed by physical activity sessions lasting 60 minutes. Laboratory activities include assessing heart rate, making healthy meals, learning portion sizes, brain challenges, and more. To improve physical activity participation, a wide selection of developmentally appropriate and multiculturally sensitive activities will be offered, such as sports, games, obstacle courses, and dance.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Children in grades 3-5 (aged 8-12)
* enrolled in a YMCA after-school program

Exclusion Criteria

* Inability to perform physical activity
* Any cardiovascular, metabolic, or neurological disorders that would affect the child's ability to participate in the program or in testing.
Minimum Eligible Age

8 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

12 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Sherman Fairchild Foundation

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Miami

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Arlette Perry

Professor of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Arlette Perry, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Miami

Locations

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University of Miami

Coral Gables, Florida, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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20160719

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id