A physical activity program for Swedish physically inactive female high school students: a controlled intervention...

Area of Science:

• Adolescent health
• Exercise physiology
• Behavioral science

Background:

• Adolescent physical activity and sport participation commonly decrease.
• Identifying interventions to promote sustained physical activity in high school students is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if a 6-month physical exercise program can foster positive physical activity behaviors.
• To assess the impact of exercise on physical fitness and self-related health in inactive female high school students.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cluster-randomized controlled trial involving 104 physically inactive female high school students.
• Intervention group (n=60) exercised at least weekly; control group (n=44).
• Evaluations included questionnaires and physical fitness tests at baseline and 6 months.

Main Results:

• The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in self-related health compared to controls (P = .012).
• Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) significantly improved in the intervention group (P < .001).
• Regular exercisers showed improved self-related health, unlike irregular exercisers; no differences in muscle strength/endurance.

Conclusions:

• Consistent physical exercise, even once weekly, enhances maximal oxygen consumption and self-related health in inactive adolescent females.
• A 6-month exercise intervention can positively impact physical fitness and subjective health perceptions.
• Encouraging regular physical activity is vital for adolescent well-being and fitness.