Improving Physical Activity Levels in Prevocational Students by Student Participation: Protocol for a Cluster...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Intervention Studies

Background:

• Adolescent physical activity declines, falling below recommended guidelines.
• Prevocational students require targeted physical activity promotion.
• Existing literature highlights a need for effective interventions in this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and implement a physical activity promotion intervention with prevocational students.
• To prevent a decline in physical activity among 13-15 year old students.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a student-centered, participatory intervention.

Main Methods:

• Two-group cluster randomized controlled trial with 3003 students (aged 13-15).
• Intervention involved students, staff, and researchers co-creating plans using motivational interviewing and photovoice.
• Assessed self-reported physical activity and direct physical fitness measures over 2 years.

Main Results:

• Baseline comparisons showed no significant differences between intervention and control groups.
• Significant improvements were observed in the intervention group for active commuting to school.
• Significant improvements were found in multiple physical fitness measures, including strength and speed tests.

Conclusions:

• A participatory intervention co-created with students can positively impact physical activity and fitness.
• This approach offers a novel strategy for school-based health promotion.
• Student involvement in intervention design enhances relevance and potential effectiveness.