Study of Weekly Physically Active Learning Classes for Adolescents Aged 11 to 16 in Extremadura Schools to Improve Activity, Health, and Academic Outcomes

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the impact of integrating physically active learning into the school day on physical activity, fitness, health, and educational outcomes in adolescents aged 11 to 16 years. Conducted by researchers from the University of Extremadura in Spain, the study involves students from 10 schools in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura, with groups assigned to either an intervention or control condition. The goal is to assess how adding physical activity to academic classes affects various health and academic measures. The intervention consists of one physically active lesson per week lasting one hour outside the traditional classroom setting. These lessons are designed and delivered by subject teachers with support from Physical Education teachers. There are 50 experimental groups receiving this active learning and 50 control groups continuing with usual academic classes without changes. The study lasts eight months, during which physical activity levels, sedentary time, and other health and academic indicators will be monitored. Participants will wear activity bracelets to measure physical activity and sedentary time before, during, and after the intervention. Fitness will be assessed using field tests, body composition by anthropometry, and questionnaires will gather data on quality of life and health perceptions. Academic performance will be evaluated through school grades, and cognitive function will be tested using specific cognition assessments. Researchers will also collect data on school climate, motivation, and perceptions of the program from both students and teachers to measure the interventions overall effects.

Effectiveness of Integrating Physically Active Learning Through Co-teaching in Extremadura: ACTIVA-MENTE Project