The effect of an unstructured, moderate to vigorous, before-school physical activity program in elementary school children on academics, behavior, and health.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Physical inactivity has been deemed a significant, contributing factor to childhood overweight and obesity. In recent years, many school systems removed recess and/or physical education from their curriculum due to growing pressure to increase academic scores. With the vast majority of children's time spent in school, alternative strategies to re-introduce physical activity back into schools are necessary. A creative yet underutilized solution to engage children in physical activity may be in before-school programs. The objective of the proposed study is to examine the effect of an unstructured, moderate to vigorous, before-school physical activity program on academic performance, classroom behavior, emotions, and other health related measures.

Methods/design

Chil

SUBMITTER: Tompkins CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3390275 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature