Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of active travel, organised sport and physical education with accelerometer-assessed moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in young people: the International Children's Accelerometry Database

Participation in organised sports and longitudinal development of physical activity in Swiss youth: the population-based SOPHYA cohort

BACKGROUND

Maintaining physical activity throughout life is crucial for overall health and wellbeing. Yet the age-related decline in average physical activity, a natural phenomenon also observed in animals, poses a challenge. This study aimed to investigate whether participation in organised sports supported by the Swiss Youth+Sports (Y+S) programme is associated with sustaining or enhancing physical activity among children and adolescents during 5 years of follow-up.

METHODS

The longitudinal study was nested in the population-based SOPHYA (Swiss children's Objectively measured PHYsical Activity) cohort. Participants aged 6-16 years at SOPHYA1 (2014) with complete accelerometer data from baseline and follow-up assessment (SOPHYA2, 2019) were included. The primary exposure was participation in organised sport during the follow-up period, calculated by linkage with the Y+S database as the number of days with at least one activity in Y+S-offered programmes for ages 5 to 20 years. The primary outcome was the categorisation of participants into physical activity "improvers" or "worseners". Improvers in the respective physical activity categories - total activity counts per minute (CPM), minutes in moderate-to-vigorous activity (MVPA), minutes in light activity (LPA) and minutes in sedentary behaviour (SB) - increased or maintained their active physical activity during the 5 follow-up years. Information on confounders and effect modifiers (sex, age, body mass index (BMI), language region, household income, education) was obtained by self-report at baseline. Logistic regressions examined the relationship between organised sport participation and the probability of being a physical activity improver in each physical activity intensity category separately. Covariates for the final models were selected through a stepwise procedure based on the Bayesian information criterion from a maximal model containing all covariates as well as all two-way interactions with organised sport and between them. All models were a priori adjusted for technical variables (season of measurement; wear time; duration of follow-up).

RESULTS

The analysis included 432 participants. There was a strong CPM, MVPA and LPA decline from 2014 to 2019, but an increase in SB. Nevertheless, the prevalence of improvers was 22.5% for CPM, 9.5% for MVPA, 26.9% for LPA and 9.7% for SB. Engagement in organised sport between 2014 and 2019 was positively associated with CPM, MVPA and SB, but not with LPA improver status. For 30 additional days of participation in organised sport over the five years of the study, the odds of being an improver vs being a worsener increased by 4.0% for CPM (95% CI: 0.13-7.69), 6.2% for MVPA (95% CI: 0.82-11.54) and 6.0% for SB (95% CI:-1.49-13.97).

CONCLUSION

The results provide supporting evidence that organised sport in the context of the Swiss Y+S programme may empower the young to maintain an active lifestyle and even offset the age-related decline in physical activity.

Data Analytics in Physical Activity Studies With Accelerometers: Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Monitoring free-living physical activity (PA) through wearable devices enables the real-time assessment of activity features associated with health outcomes and provision of treatment recommendations and adjustments. The conclusions of studies on PA and health depend crucially on reliable statistical analyses of digital data. Data analytics, however, are challenging due to the various metrics adopted for measuring PA, different aims of studies, and complex temporal variations within variables. The application, interpretation, and appropriateness of these analytical tools have yet to be summarized.

OBJECTIVE

This research aimed to review studies that used analytical methods for analyzing PA monitored by accelerometers. Specifically, this review addressed three questions: (1) What metrics are used to describe an individual's free-living daily PA? (2) What are the current analytical tools for analyzing PA data, particularly under the aims of classification, association with health outcomes, and prediction of health events? and (3) What challenges exist in the analyses, and what recommendations for future research are suggested regarding the use of statistical methods in various research tasks?

METHODS

This scoping review was conducted following an existing framework to map research studies by exploring the information about PA. Three databases, PubMed, IEEE Xplore, and the ACM Digital Library, were searched in February 2024 to identify related publications. Eligible articles were classification, association, or prediction studies involving human PA monitored through wearable accelerometers.

RESULTS

After screening 1312 articles, 428 (32.62%) eligible studies were identified and categorized into at least 1 of the following 3 thematic categories: classification (75/428, 17.5%), association (342/428, 79.9%), and prediction (32/428, 7.5%). Most articles (414/428, 96.7%) derived PA variables from 3D acceleration, rather than 1D acceleration. All eligible articles (428/428, 100%) considered PA metrics represented in the time domain, while a small fraction (16/428, 3.7%) also considered PA metrics in the frequency domain. The number of studies evaluating the influence of PA on health conditions has increased greatly. Among the studies in our review, regression-type models were the most prevalent (373/428, 87.1%). The machine learning approach for classification research is also gaining popularity (32/75, 43%). In addition to summary statistics of PA, several recent studies used tools to incorporate PA trajectories and account for temporal patterns, including longitudinal data analysis with repeated PA measurements and functional data analysis with PA as a continuum for time-varying association (68/428, 15.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Summary metrics can quickly provide descriptions of the strength, frequency, and duration of individuals' overall PA. When the distribution and profile of PA need to be evaluated or detected, considering PA metrics as longitudinal or functional data can provide detailed information and improve the understanding of the role PA plays in health. Depending on the research goal, appropriate analytical tools can ensure the reliability of the scientific findings.

Cardiac rehabilitation in children and adolescents with long QT syndrome: the RYTHMO'FIT pilot study

BACKGROUND

To assess the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and short-term benefits of a tailored cardiac rehabilitation program for children and adolescents with long QT syndrome (LQTS).

METHODS

Eight participants, aged between 6 and 18, with a positive LQTS genotype and impaired cardiorespiratory fitness, were enrolled in a 12-week centre-based cardiac rehabilitation program. The program included supervised exercise training group sessions (aerobic, resistance, and outdoor activities) and patient education workshops. Feasibility, acceptability, and safety of the program were prospectively monitored. Feedback from the parents, children, and professionals involved was collected from qualitative interviews. Short-term effects on cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle fitness, physical activity, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were measured between baseline and the end of the program.

RESULTS

Retention (88% with one participant dropping out) and adherence (79%) rates were good, and no cardiac events occurred during the 12-week intervention period. Participants, parents, and healthcare professionals expressed a high level of satisfaction with the program. A significant increase between the beginning and the end of the program was observed for ventilatory anaerobic threshold (21.7±5.2 vs. 28.7±5.1 mL/kg/min, P=0.01, effect size=0.89), grip strength, (18±5.3 Kg vs. 20±4.7 Kg, P=0.02, effect size=0.90), lower limb explosive strength (142±36.5 cm vs. 148±24 cm, P=0.02, effect size=0.90), and parent-reported physical health dimension of HRQoL (65.6±9.75 vs. 84.4±20.35, P=0.03, effect size=0.87).

CONCLUSIONS

A 12-week tailored centre-based cardiac rehabilitation program was feasible, acceptable, and safe for children with LQTS. Cardiac rehabilitation for children with LQTS presents a new approach aligned with secondary prevention in youth with cardiac diseases.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05964322, registration date: 27/07/2023).

Are school uniforms associated with gender inequalities in physical activity? A pooled analysis of population-level data from 135 countries/regions

PURPOSE

It is aimed to assess whether school uniforms are associated with population-level gender inequalities in physical activity, and whether associations differ by school level, country/region income, and assessment method.

METHODS

An ecological study design was employed. We collected data about global uniform practices using an online survey. We searched for country/region-level estimates of school-aged youth meeting physical activity guidelines from international surveillance studies. Study selection was conducted in duplicate using a systematic process, and a random sample of all data was checked to ensure extraction and pooling processes were accurate. We calculated absolute and relative gender inequalities in physical activity for each country. Linear regression examined associations between country/region-level uniform practices (binary yes/no exposure variable) and country/region-level gender inequalities in physical activity guideline compliance (absolute and relative inequalities). We investigated moderation by school level, stratified analyses by income group, and repeated primary analyses using device-measured data.

RESULTS

Pooling data from 135 countries/regions (n = 1,089,852), we found no association between population-level uniform practices and gender inequalities in physical activity across all ages (absolute: β = -0.2; 95% confidence interval (95%CI): -1.7 to 1.3, p = 0.74; relative: β = 0.1; 95%CI: -0.1 to 0.2, p = 0.51). Subgroup analysis suggested a positive association in primary school settings (absolute: β = 4.3; 95%CI: -0.0 to 8.6, p = 0.05). Among high-income countries, absolute inequalities were significantly greater in countries/regions with uniform practices (N = 37) compared to those without (N = 48) (9.1 (SD = 3.6) vs. 7.8 percentage points (SD = 4.3)). Repeating analyses using device-measured data (n = 32,130; N = 24) did not alter our primary finding. From initial descriptive statistics, we found that in countries/regions where a majority of schools (>50%) reportedly use uniforms, there was lower compliance with physical activity guidelines among all genders (median: 16.0%, interquartile range: 13.2%-19.9%, N = 103) compared to generally non-uniform countries/regions (median: 19.5%, interquartile range: 16.4%-23.5%, N = 32) (z = 3.04, p = 0.002). (N = countries, regions and studies represented; n = sample size or participants included).

CONCLUSION

School uniforms are associated with greater gender inequalities in physical activity in primary school settings and in high-income countries. Our population-level findings warrant testing using individual-level data across contexts.

Proportion and Correlates of Children in the US-Affiliated Pacific Region Meeting Sleep, Screen Time, and Physical Activity Guidelines

INTRODUCTION

Limited data on 24-hour movement behaviors of children aged 5-8 years exist globally. We describe the prevalence and sociodemographic associations of meeting physical activity (PA), sedentary recreational screen time (ST), and sleep guidelines among children from 11 jurisdictions in the US-Affiliated Pacific region.

METHODS

Cross-sectional representative data from 1192 children aged 5-8 years living in the US-Affiliated Pacific region were drawn from the baseline 2012-2014 Children's Healthy Living Program. Sleep and moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA were calculated from accelerometry. ST and sociodemographic data were collected from caregiver surveys. The percentage of children meeting the Asia-Pacific 24-hour movement guidelines for PA (≥60 min/d of moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA), sleep (≥9 and ≤ 11 h/d) and ST (≤2 h/d) were calculated. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine associations with adiposity and sociodemographic variables.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven percent (95% confidence interval, 24.6-30.0) of children met integrated guidelines; 98% (96.2-98.0) met PA, 78% (75.4-80.0) met sleep, and 35% (32.6-38.0) met ST guidelines. Females (adjusted odds ratio = 1.40 [95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.91]) and those living in lower-middle-income jurisdictions (2.29 [1.49-3.54]) were more likely to meet ST guidelines. Overweight children (0.62 [0.40-0.96]), those aged 8 years (0.39 [0.22-0.69]), and children with caregivers of an education level of high school or beyond (0.44 [0.29-0.68]) were less likely to achieve ST guidelines. Children from midrange annual household incomes were less likely to meet combined guidelines (0.60 [0.39-0.92]).

CONCLUSIONS

Three-quarters of children are not meeting integrated Asia-Pacific 24-hour movement guidelines. Future strategies for reducing ST and increasing integrated guidelines compliance are needed.

Accelerometry-assessed daily physical activity and compliance with recommendations in Spanish children: importance of physical education classes and vigorous intensity

Background

Physical activity (PA) is associated with numerous health benefits. Vigorous PA (VPA) may have a greater impact on public health than lower-intensity PA. The incorporation of a specific recommendation on VPA could complement and improve existing recommendations for average daily moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA). Physical education classes could have a positive impact on children's adherence to average daily physical activity recommendations. The aim was to investigate the association between MVPA and VPA in children, as well as adherence to recommendations, and obesity and the presence of physical education classes.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of physical activity was conducted in a sample of 8 and 9-year-old children in Andalusia (Spain). GENEActiv accelerometers were used, placed on the non-dominant wrist for at least eight consecutive days (24-h protocol). School days with and without physical education class, and weekend days were defined. ROC curves were used to calculate the threshold associated with obesity for average daily MVPA and VPA for recommendations.

Results

A total of 360 schoolchildren were included in the analyses (184 girls). An average of 7.7 (SD 1.4) valid days per participant were evaluated, with 19.9 (SD 10.5) and 11.4 (SD 5.1) minutes of VPA performed by boys and girls respectively. 25.8% of the participants were classified with central obesity. The optimal threshold determined with ROC analysis was 12.5 and 9.5 minutes of average daily VPA for boys and girls, respectively (RecVPA), and 75 minutes of average daily MVPA for both sexes (RecMVPA). The RecVPA showed stronger association with obesity. On school days with physical education class, compared to days without this class, children showed increased VPA and MVPA engagement and better compliance with recommendations, with smaller differences in adherence according to sex or obesity.

Conclusions

On days with physical education class, more physical activity was accumulated at all intensities and greater adherence to the recommendations than on days without this class. VPA had a stronger correlation with the absence of obesity than lower-intensity activity. It was also observed that boys were physically more active and had higher adherence to the recommendations than girls.

Adherence to the WHO recommendation of three weekly days of vigorous intensity activities in children: an accelerometry study of vigorous physical activity bouts

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children and adolescents incorporate vigorous intensity activities (VIAs) at least three days a week. This recommendation has not been sufficiently studied using objective methods, such as accelerometry. Physical education classes and extracurricular sports activities are optimal opportunities for compliance with this recommendation.

Objective

To identify VIAs through bouts of vigorous physical activity (VPA-Bouts) evaluated with accelerometry and, with this, to know the compliance with the recommendation on VIAs.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of the habitual physical activity of 353 children (8-9 years old) was carried out using accelerometry and participation in organized extracurricular sports activities was asked through a questionnaire. School days with and without physical education class, weekends, and the average weekly day were identified, as well as school time and out-of-school time. A VPA-Bout was defined as an interval of at least 60 minutes with a proportion of VPA of at least 16.7% in boys and 12.5% in girls (10.0 and 7.5 minutes/hour of VPA, respectively).

Results

The average daily time in organized extracurricular sports activities declared by questionnaire and the average daily duration of the VPA-Bouts evaluated with accelerometers in the extracurricular period was 21.3 (SD 19.8) and 23.9 (SD 31.2) minutes, respectively, in boys, whereas, in girls it was 20.2 (SD 17.4) and 11.0 (SD 16.9) minutes, respectively. In school time including a physical education class, there was a higher proportion of VPA-Bouts than without these classes (with: 28.6%, without: 2.1%, p < 0.001). Children who reported at least three weekly hours of organized extracurricular sports activities accumulated a higher proportion of school afternoons with VPA-Bouts than those with fewer weekly hours of this type of activities (≥3 hours/week: 27.5%, <3 hours/week: 9.3%, p < 0.001). On the weekend, boys who reported at least three weekly hours of organized extracurricular sports activities performed more VPA-Bouts than those participating in less weekly hours, while in girls no significant differences were observed (weekend; boys, ≥3 hours/week: 26.0%, <3 hours/week: 9.0%, p < 0.001; girls: 8.3%, 8.0%, p = 0.917). Compliance with the recommendation to incorporate VIAs at least three days a week was 23.8%. Children who reported at least three weekly hours of extracurricular sports activities achieved higher compliance than those who reported fewer extracurricular activities (≥3 hours/week: 35.1%, <3 hours/week: 12.7%, p < 0.001). Additionally, boys showed higher compliance rates than girls (boys: 32.9%, girls: 15.3%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

One in every four children met the WHO recommendation to incorporate VIAs at least three days a week, as evaluated by accelerometry. Physical education classes and extracurricular organized sports activities contributed to compliance with this recommendation.

Childhood and adolescence physical activity and multimorbidity later in life: A systematic review

Background

No systematic summary exists on childhood physical activity and later-life multimorbidity risks. We primarily investigated the association of physical activity in childhood and adolescence and the development of multimorbidity in adulthood. Secondarily, we examined whether physical activity level differ in children and adolescents with and without multimorbidity and whether there is a cross-sectional association between physical activity and multimorbidity.

Methods

Following Cochrane Handbook guidelines and adhering to PRISMA recommendations, we included cross-sectional, case-control and longitudinal studies that investigated the association between physical activity in children and adolescents and development of multimorbidity. Results were summarized narratively and we assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO, CRD42023407063.

Results

Of 9064 studies identified, 11 were included in 13 papers. Longitudinals studies suggested that being physically active in childhood and adolescence was associated with a lower risk of multimorbidity in adulthood. Three out of five studies reported lower physical activity level in children and adolescents with multimorbidity compared to those without, and two did not find a between-group difference. Cross-sectional evidence on the association between multimorbidity and lower physical activity was uncertain. Overall, the evidence certainty for all outcomes was considered low due to the indirectness and inconsistency in findings.

Conclusions

Childhood and adolescence physical activity appeared to be linked with a reduced risk of later-life multimorbidity but the certainty of the evidence is low. These results support the promotion of physical activity during childhood and adolescence.

An exploratory analysis examining differences in physical activity and motor competence in children with and without asthma: brief report

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine potential differences in motor competence (MC) and physical activity (PA) between children with and without asthma.

METHODS

Thirty-seven children and adolescents completed the Exercises for a Healthy Asthma Lifestyle and Enjoyment study (46% with asthma, 51% female, 11.1 ± 0.4 years, and 46% White). Motor competence was assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2nd edition (MABC-2). PA was assessed using accelerometry.

RESULTS

Children with asthma had significantly lower MC in the domain of aiming and catching (with asthma: 8.2 ± 0.4 vs. without asthma: 9.9 ± 0.5; p = 0.03) and fewer daily minutes spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) (with asthma: 18.0 ± 2.3 min vs. without asthma: 27.2 ± 3.6 min; p = 0.047). There were no significant group differences in manual dexterity, balance, total MABC-2 score, or total daily PA (all ps > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides confirmatory evidence that children with asthma display lower MC and spend less time in MVPA compared to children without asthma. Because MC is a prerequisite for engaging in PA, future research should seek to determine if the differences observed in MC contribute to disparities in MVPA observed in this clinical population.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of domain-specific physical activity composition with health-related quality of life in childhood and adolescence in Australia

BACKGROUND

Health benefits have been linked with physical activity (PA), as well as some domains of PA among youth (e.g. organized PA and active transport). However, less is known about whether some PA domains are more beneficial than others. There is also a lack of evidence about whether health outcomes are related to the composition of PA (i.e. the share of PA spent in different domains). This study aimed to identify: (1) how the absolute durations of organized PA, non-organized PA, active transport and active chores/work at 10-11y are individually associated with physical, psychosocial and total health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at 10-11y and 12-13y; and (2) how the domain-specific composition of PA at 10-11y is associated with HRQOL at 10-11y and 12-13y.

METHODS

Data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children were used in cross-sectional (n ≥ 2730) and longitudinal analyses (n ≥ 2376). Measurement included the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) for HRQOL domains and one-day time-use diaries (TUDs) for PA domains. Robust linear regression models were used, controlling for age, sex, pubertal status, socioeconomic position, body mass index and TUD context (season and school attendance). Compositional models additionally adjusted for total PA duration and longitudinal models controlled for baseline PedsQL™ scores.

RESULTS

Non-compositional models indicated that the duration of organized PA, and to a lesser extent non-organized PA, were positively but weakly associated with some HRQOL outcomes at 10-11y. These trends were not reflected in longitudinal models, although a 30-min increase in non-organized PA per day did predict marginally better psychosocial HRQOL at 12-13y (+ 0.17%; 95%CI =  + 0.03%, + 0.32%). Compositional models revealed that a 30-min increase in organized PA relative to other domains was positively but weakly associated with physical (+ 0.32%; 95%CI =  + 0.01%, + 0.63%), psychosocial (+ 0.41%; 95%CI =  + 0.11%, + 0.72%) and total HRQOL (+ 0.39%; 95%CI =  + 0.12%, + 0.66%) at 10-11y. However, the overall PA composition at 10-11y was not related to HRQOL at 12-13y.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-compositional and compositional models generally concurred on the direction of cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships (and lack thereof) between PA domains and HRQOL outcomes. The strongest associations were cross-sectional between organized PA and HRQOL at 10-11y. However, all associations between PA domains and HRQOL outcomes were weak and may not be clinically meaningful.

Determinants of Future Physical Activity Participation in New Zealand Adolescents across Sociodemographic Groups: A Descriptive Study

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore various determinants of future physical activity (PA) participation in adolescents across sociodemographic groups. Sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, deprivation status, physical disability status) were assessed in a national sample (n = 6906) of adolescents (12-17 years old) between 2017 and 2020 in New Zealand. The determinants of future PA participation chosen for analysis included current indicators of PA participation (i.e., total time, number of types, number of settings). We also examined widely recognised modifiable intrapersonal (i.e., physical literacy) and interpersonal (i.e., social support) determinants of current and future PA behaviour, along with indicators of PA availability issues. Older adolescents scored worse across all determinants of future PA than younger adolescents, with a key transition point appearing at 14-15 years of age. Māori and Pacific ethnicities scored best across each determinant category on average, with Asian populations scoring the worst. Gender diverse adolescents scored substantially worse than male and female adolescents across every determinant. Physically disabled adolescents scored worse than non-disabled across all determinants. Adolescents from medium and high deprivation neighbourhoods scored similarly across most determinants of future PA participation and both tended to score worse than people from low deprivation neighbourhoods. A particular focus on the improvement of future PA determinants is warranted within adolescents who are older, Asian, gender diverse, physically disabled, and from medium to high deprivation neighbourhoods. Future investigation should prioritise the longitudinal tracking of PA behaviours over time and develop interventions that affect multiple future PA determinants across a range of sociodemographic backgrounds.

Longitudinal changes in domains of physical activity during the transition from elementary school to high school in the U.S

OBJECTIVES

To describe patterns of age-related change in self-reported physical activity domains within a heterogeneous sample of boys and girls in the U.S. transitioning from elementary to high school.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

METHODS

Participants included n = 644 children recruited in 5th grade (10.5 ± 0.5 years old, 45 % female) who completed the Physical Activity Choices survey at least twice over 5 time points (5th, 6th, 7th, 9th and 11th grade). Participants' self-reported physical activities were categorized into organized and non-organized activities, and a comprehensive variable was created as the product of the total number of physical activities reported in the past 5 days, the number of days spent in each activity, and the total time spent in each activity. Descriptive statistics and growth curve models (controlling for covariates) for the total sample and by sex were examined for total, organized, and non-organized physical activities from ages 10 to 17.

RESULTS

There was a significant age by gender interaction (p < 0.05) for time spent in non-organized physical activities. Specifically, both sexes had similar patterns of decline before age 13, while boys increased after age 13 and girls declined and then maintained. In contrast, boys and girls declined in organized physical activities from ages 10 to 17 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed stark differences in the age-related change between organized and non-organized physical activities and marked differences in the patterns of non-organized physical activities between boys and girls. Future research should examine physical activity interventions that consider age-, sex-, and domain-specific physical activity options for youth.

Health Information Prediction System of Infant Sports Based on Deep Learning Network

The sensed data from infant sports and training programs are useful in analyzing their health conditions and forecasting any disorders or abnormalities. The sensed information is processed for providing errorless predictions for infant diseases/disorders, coupled with artificial intelligence and sophisticated healthcare technologies. The problem of noncongruent sensed data impacting the forecast occurs due to errors between consecutive training iterations. This problem is addressed using the deep learning (PEST-DL) proposed perceptible error segregation technique. The training process is halted between two consecutive iterations generating errors until a similarity verification based on infant history is performed. The similarity output determines the errors due to mismatching data observations, and therefore, the data augmentation is performed. The first perceptible error is mitigated by training the learning paradigm with all possible infant history data in the learning process. This prevents prediction lag and data omissions due to discrete availability. The learning is trained from the identified error with the precise detected disorder/abnormality data previously detected. Therefore, the first and consecutive training data segregate error instances from the actual training iterations. This improves the prediction accuracy and precision with controlled error and time complexity.

Moderate Effects of School-Based Time Increasing Physical Education Intervention on Physical Fitness and Activity of 7-Year Pupils—A Report from a Follow-Up of a HCSC Study

We evaluated the effectiveness of a 15-week intervention that increased from three to five lessons of physical education (PE) a week on 7-year-old boys’ and girls’ physical fitness (PF), physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour on week and weekend days. A total of 212 first grade pupils (mean age 6.95 ± 0.43) from two urban schools in Poznań were randomly assigned to the experimental or control groups. The PF was measured with a battery of field tests, while health-related behaviours were assessed with the Healthy Children in Sound Communities questionnaire. There were some interaction effects noticed in the PF scores in the case of a 20-min run for boys (F_2,196 = 5.29, p = 0.0058) and for girls (F_2,220 = 3.31, p = 0.0382) and the sit-ups test for boys (F_2,196 = 1.93, p = 0.1478) and for girls (F_2,220 = 3.98, p = 0.0201) and for the sit and reach test in the case of girls (F_2,220 = 3.98, p = 0.0201). In terms of outdoor PA levels, there were no major differences between any of the examined groups. Differences were found between girls from the experimental and control groups in the post-test (p = 0.0107) and follow-up (p = 0.0390) during the weekdays, with no differences between the groups of boys. Despite the moderate effects of the extended PE time programme right after the intervention, there were some indications of progress in the follow-up experiments.