Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
A Real-World High-Intensity Interval Training Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Improvement
Published on: February 22, 2022
Improving health-related fitness in children: the Fit-4-Fun randomized controlled trial study protocol
Narelle Eather1, Philip J Morgan, David R Lubans
1Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus, Newcastle, Australia. narelle.eather@newcastle.edu.au
Insights
This study introduces Fit-4-Fun, an 8-week school program to boost children's physical fitness and activity. The intervention uses evidence-based strategies to improve health-related fitness in primary school students.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric health and fitness
- School-based health interventions
- Non-communicable disease prevention
Background:
- Declining physical fitness in children is linked to increased physical and mental health risks.
- The World Health Organisation recommends physical activity programs for children to combat non-communicable diseases.
- This paper details a school-based intervention to enhance physical fitness and activity in primary school children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement and evaluate the Fit-4-Fun intervention.
- To improve physical fitness and physical activity levels in Grades 5 and 6 primary school children.
- To utilize the Health Promoting Schools framework for a comprehensive approach.
Main Methods:
- An 8-week multi-component, school-based health-related fitness education intervention.
- Group randomized controlled trial involving 128 primary school children (aged 10-13) in NSW, Australia.
- Inclusion of curriculum-based lessons, daily break-time activities, and a home activity program with family involvement.
Main Results:
- Health-related fitness assessments, pedometry, and questionnaires administered at baseline, 2 months, and 6 months.
- Evaluation of intervention effects on fitness and physical activity levels.
- Detailed reporting of recruitment, randomization, intervention, assessments, process evaluation, and statistical analyses.
Conclusions:
- Fit-4-Fun is an innovative school-based program designed to enhance the fitness of primary school children.
- The program employs evidence-based behavior change strategies.
- It aims to promote physical activity of appropriate intensity, duration, and type for improved health-related fitness.
Background:
Declining levels of physical fitness in children are linked to an increased risk of developing poor physical and mental health. Physical activity programs for children that involve regular high intensity physical activity, along with muscle and bone strengthening activities, have been identified by the World Health Organisation as a key strategy to reduce the escalating burden of ill health caused by non-communicable diseases. This paper reports the rationale and methods for a school-based intervention designed to improve physical fitness and physical activity levels of Grades 5 and 6 primary school children.
Methods/Design:
Fit-4-Fun is an 8-week multi-component school-based health-related fitness education intervention and will be evaluated using a group randomized controlled trial. Primary schools from the Hunter Region in NSW, Australia, will be invited to participate in the program in 2011 with a target sample size of 128 primary schools children (age 10-13). The Fit-4-Fun program is theoretically grounded and will be implemented applying the Health Promoting Schools framework. Students will participate in weekly curriculum-based health and physical education lessons, daily break-time physical activities during recess and lunch, and will complete an 8-week (3 × per week) home activity program with their parents and/or family members. A battery of six health-related fitness assessments, four days of pedometery-assessed physical activity and a questionnaire, will be administered at baseline, immediate post-intervention (2-months) and at 6-months (from baseline) to determine intervention effects. Details of the methodological aspects of recruitment, inclusion criteria, randomization, intervention program, assessments, process evaluation and statistical analyses are described.
Discussion:
The Fit-4-Fun program is an innovative school-based intervention targeting fitness improvements in primary school children. The program will involve a range of evidence-based behaviour change strategies to promote and support physical activity of adequate intensity, duration and type, needed to improve health-related fitness.
Trial Registration No:
Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ANZCTR): ACTRN12611000976987.
