Active school and its role in promoting health of younger school-age children
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v61.107614Keywords:
Active school, Physical activity, Health-related fitness, Body posture, PupilsAbstract
Background: A recent study has indicated a decline in the level of health-related fitness among school-age children. Active school offers and pursues various strategies to encourage children to engage in physical activity during the school day, with the objective of improving their behavioural, physical performance and literacy outcomes, among other benefits. The objective of the research was to examine the impact of a comprehensive movement programme implemented within a physically active school on the selected factors of general physical performance and posture as a manifestation of fitness in non-exercising pupils. The study employed a number of methodological approaches, including: A total of 25 school-age children, aged between six and seven years, participated in the study on a voluntary basis. The participants were divided into two groups, with six girls and seven boys in each. The pupils' physical fitness was evaluated through the administration of selected standardized tests, including the 4 x 10 m shuttle run, sit-ups in 60 seconds, standing long jump, bent-arm hangs, and a 20-metre multistage endurance shuttle run. The pupils’ posture was assessed and classified using the standardised Klein and Thomas method, modified by Mayer. The exercise programme was conducted over a six-month period. The intervention was implemented on two occasions per day, once during a break and once during a lesson in the form of an exercise break, five times per week, and once per week through an after-school activity for 45 minutes. The results of the study are as follows: In the study sample, there was a significant improvement in scores between the entry and exit points for both girls and boys in each test. A comparison of the sexes revealed that boys exhibited superior (p < 0.01) values in all the selected tests compared to girls. With regard to overall posture, we observed an improvement in both genders (p < 0.01), with no gender-based differences.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of this study confirm that the chosen tactic of progression of physical activity, the programme for non-exercising/inactive students of younger school age, was an effective way of improving the physical, health-related fitness and overall posture of the participants, as well as motivating and creating interest in physical activities.
Keywords: Active school, Physical activity, Health-related fitness, Body posture, Pupils
References
Al-Nemr, A. & Reffat, S. (2024). Relationship between body mass index, fundamental movement skills, and quality of life in primary school children. Phys Act Rev, 12(1), 80–87. https://doi.org/10.16926/par.2024.12.08
Bailey, R., Ries, F. & Scheuer, C. (2023), Active Schools in Europe - A Review of Empirical Findings. Sustainability,15(4), 3806. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043806
Barrett, J. L., Gortmaker, S. L., Long, M. W., Ward, Z. J., Resch, S. C., Moodie, M. L., Carter, R., Sacks, G., Swinburn, B. A., Wang, Y. C. & Cradock, A. L. (2015). Cost effectiveness of an elementary school active physical education policy. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 49(1), 148–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2015.02.005
Bendíková, E. & Balint, G. (2023). Selected factors influencing the qualitative level of postural health of students in Slovakia. European Journal of Contemporary Education, 12(3),756–756. https://doi.org/10.13187/ejced.2023.3.756
Bendíková, E., Holgado, J. C.& Uvinha, R. R. (2024). Propriofoot concept implemented in physical and sports education classes with the aim of improving foot health and body posture in female students. Central European Journal of Sport Sciences and Medicine, 1(45), 5–15. https://doi.org/10.18276/cej.2024.1-01
Beni, S., Chróinín, D. N.& Fletcher, T. (2019). A focus on the how of meaningful physical education in primary schools. Sport, Education and Society, 24(6), 624–637. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2019.1612349
Birch, D. A., Goekler, S., Auld, M. E., Lohrmann, D. K. & Lyde, A. (2019). Quality assurance in teaching K–12 health education: Paving a new path forward. Health Promotion Practice, 20(6), 845–857. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839919868167
Blagojević, M., Obradović, B., Radović, Z., Dukić, I., Dimitrić, G. & Jakšić, M. (2017). Improving motor fitness in primary school children through a school-based intervention. Exercise and Quality of Life Journal, 9(2), 25–30. https://doi.org/10.31382/eqol.171204
Boreham, O. & Riddoch, Ch. (2001). The physical activity, fitness and health of children. Journal of Sports Sciences, 19(12), 915–929. https://doi.org/10.1080/026404101317108426
Carminato, R. A. (2010). Desempenho motor de escolares através da bacteria de teste KTK [Motor performance of schoolchildren through the KTK test battery]. Curitiba: Universidade Federal do Paraná. 2010 [in Spanish]
Castillo-Retamal, F., Souza de Carvalho, R., Bássoli de Oliveira, A. A., Matias de Souza, V. de F., Barbosa Anversa, A. L. & Pereira da Silva Júnior, A. (2022). Evaluation in school Physical Education: discussions based on teacher training. Retos, 46, 179–189. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v46.93736
Costa, T. H. J., Moreira, C. C. F., Gomes, E. M. C. & Leão, A. A. I. (2021). Effect of short-term practice of breathing exercises on the breathing capacity in school-age girls (Efecto de la práctica a corto plazo de ejercicios respiratorios sobre la capacidad respiratoria en niñas en edad escolar). Retos, 42, 464–469. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v42i0.81842
D'Isanto, T., Manna, A. & Altavilla, G. (2017). Health and physical activity. Sport Sci, 10(1),100–105. https://www.sposci.com/PDFS/BR1001/SVEE/04%20CL%2018%20TD.pdf
Eather, N., Morgan, P. & Lubans, D. (2013). Improving the fitness and physical activity levels of primary school children: results of the Fit-4-Fun group randomized controlled trial. Prev Med, 56(1), 12–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.10.019
Eveland-Sayers, B. M., Farley, R. S., Fuller, D. K., Morgan, D. W. & Caputo, J. L. (2009). Physical fitness and academic achievement in elementary school children. J Phys Act Health, 6(1), 99–104. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.6.1.99
Chui Betancur, H. N., Romero Yapuchura, Y. Y. & Pérez Argollo, K. (2024). Recreational activities for psychomotor development in early childhood children. Retos, 51, 753–762. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v51.98154
Ganley, K. J., Paterno, M. V., Miles, S., Stout, J., Brawner, L., Girolami, G. & Warren, M. (2011). Health-related fitness in children and adolescents. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 23(3), 208–220. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0b013e318227b3fc
Jankowicz-Szymańska, A., Bibro, M., Wodka, K. & Smola, E. (2019). Does excessive body weight change the shape of the spine in children? Child Obes, 15(5), 346–352. https://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2018.0361
Jankowicz-Szymańska, A., Fałatowicz, M., Smoła, E., Błyszczuk, R. & Wódka, K. (2020). Relationship between frontal knee position and the degree of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis among 10-12-year-old children with normal body weight. PLoS One, 15(7), e0236150. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236150. eCollection
Kilgour, L., Matthews, N., Christian, P. & Shire, J. (2015). Health literacy in schools: prioritising health and well-being issues through the curriculum. Sport Educ Soc, 20(4), 485-500. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2013.769948
Kolbe, L. (2019). School health as both a strategy to improve both public health and education. Annual Review of Public Health, 40, 443–463. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040218-043727.
Kuberski, M., Góra, T. & Wąsik, J. (2024). Changes in selected somatic indices in 10–12-year-old girls under the influence of 3-year swimming training. Phys Act Rev, 12(1), 143–149. https://doi.org/10.16926/par.2024.12.13
Landry, B. W. & Driscoll, S. W. (2012). Physical activity in children and adolescents. PMR, 4(11), 826–832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.2012.09.585
Leão Pereira, A. F. & Lorente-Catalán, E. (2024). Quality Physical Education: Design and validation of a tool aimed at reflection and innovation in educational processes. Retos, 51, 32–46. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v51.99745
Molina-Garcia, P., Plaza-Florido, A., Mora-Gonzalez, J., Torres-Lopez, L. V., Vanrenterghem, J. & Ortega, F. B. (2020). Role of physical fitness and functional movement in the body posture of children with overweight/obesity. Gait Posture, 80, 331–338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.04.001.
Nemček, D. (2016). Quality of life of people with disabilities: differences in satisfaction with indicators and domains between active and inactive individuals. Physical Activity Review, 4, 62–71.
Nemček, D. & Ladecká, P. (2020). Úroveň osobnej pohody stredoškolákov s poruchami muskuloskeletálneho systému [The level of subjective well-being of high school students with musculoskeletal disorders]. Zdravotnícke listy, 8(2), 16–21.
Novak, D. (2021). Physical education in Europe – Preliminary findings from the 4th worldwide survey of quality physical education. In FIEP European Congress, Cavtat, manuscript.
Ortega, F. B., Ruiz, J. R., Castillo, M. J. & Sjöström, M. (2008). Physical fitness in childhood and adolescence: a powerful marker of health. Int J Obes, 32(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803774
Polevoy, G. (2024). The effect of aerobic running on children's thinking and endurance. Retos, 54, 303–331. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v54.103477
Pulimeno, M., Piscitelli, P., Colazzo, S., Colao, A., & Miani, A. (2020). School as ideal setting to promote health and wellbeing among young people. Health Promot Perspect, 10(4), 316–324. https://doi.org/10.34172/hpp.2020.50
Ružbarský, P. & Perič, T. (2021). Výsledky prvého celoštátneho testovania pohybových predpokladov detí mladšieho školského veku - žiakov 1. ročníkov základných škôl [The results of the first national testing of movement prerequisites of children of younger school age - pupils of the 1st year of primary schools]. Prešov: Prešovská univerzita v Prešove. [in Slovak]
Septianto, I., Sumaryanti, S., Nasrulloh, A., Sulistiyono, S., Nugraha, H., Ali, M., Ramadhani, A. M., Dewantara, J., Haniyyah, N., Fauzi, F., Suryadi, D., Ardian, R. & Subarjo, S. (2024). Traditional games for physical fitness: an experimental study on elementary school students. Retos, 54, 122–128. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v54.104177
Senturk, U., Beyleroglu, M., Guven, F., Yilmaz, A. & Akdeniz, H. (2015). Motor skills in pre-school education and affects to 5-year-old children’s psychomotor development. Turk. J. Sport Exerc, 17(2), 42–47. https://doi.org/10.15314/tjse.38665
Scheuer, C. & Heck, S. (2021). Physically Active and Healthy School, Role of Primary Physical Education Teacher. In book: Encyclopedia of Teacher Education, (pp.1–6), Singapore: Springer. DOI:10.1007/978-981-13-1179-6_423-1
Suryadi, D., Nasrulloh, A., Yanti, N., Ramli, R., Fauzan, L. A., Kushartanti, B. W., Sumaryanti, S., Suhartini, B., Budayati, E. S., Arovah, N. I., Mashud, M., Suganda, M. A., Sumaryanto, S., Sutapa, P., Abdullah, N. M. bin & Fauziah, E. (2024). Stimulation of motor skills through game models in early childhood and elementary school students: systematic review in Indonesia. Retos, 51, 1255–1261. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v51.101743
Valentine, I., Madić, D. & Sporiš, G. (2017). Effects of invasion games on physical fitness in primary school children. Exercise and Quality of Life journal, 9(1), 15–22. https://doi.org/10.31382/eqol.170602
Videto, D. M. & Dake, J. A. (2019). Promoting health literacy through defining and measuring quality school health education. Health Promotion Practice, 20(6), 824–833. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839919870194
West, P., Sweeting, H. & Leyland, A. H. (2004). School effects on pupils' health behaviours: evidence in support of the health promoting school. Research Papers in Education, 19(3), 261–291. https://doi.org/10.1080/0267152042000247972
World Health Organization. (2020). Basic Documents. 49ed. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. Available from: https://apps.who.int/gb/bd/
World Health Organization. (2018). Chronic diseases and health promotion. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018. Available from: https://www.who.int/chp/chronic_disease_report/part1/en/index11.html. Accessed 21 March 2019.
Wu, X. Y., Han, L. H., Zhang, J. H., Luo, S., Hu, J. W. & Sun, K. (2017). The influence of physical activity, sedentary behavior on health-related quality of life among the general population of children and adolescents: A systematic review. PloS One, 12(11), e0187668. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0187668
Zarić, D., Gojković, Z., Sporiš, G. & Madić, D. (2018). Health-related fitness in preschool children: Difference between organized and unorganized physical activity. Exercise and Quality of Life, 10(1), 29–34. https://doi.org/10.31382/eqol.180603
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Retos
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and ensure the magazine the right to be the first publication of the work as licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of authorship of the work and the initial publication in this magazine.
- Authors can establish separate additional agreements for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in the journal (eg, to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Is allowed and authors are encouraged to disseminate their work electronically (eg, in institutional repositories or on their own website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as to a subpoena more Early and more of published work (See The Effect of Open Access) (in English).
This journal provides immediate open access to its content (BOAI, http://legacy.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/boaifaq.htm#openaccess) on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. The authors may download the papers from the journal website, or will be provided with the PDF version of the article via e-mail.
