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Time-efficient intervention to improve older adolescents' cardiorespiratory fitness : Findings from the 'Burn 2 Learn' cluster randomised controlled trial
Lubans, David R. Smith, Jordan J. Eather, Narelle Leahy, Angus A. Morgan, Philip J. Lonsdale, Chris Plotnikoff, Ronald C. Nilsson, Michael Kennedy, Sarah G. Holliday, Elizabeth G.
Lubans, David R.
Smith, Jordan J.
Eather, Narelle
Leahy, Angus A.
Morgan, Philip J.
Lonsdale, Chris
Plotnikoff, Ronald C.
Nilsson, Michael
Kennedy, Sarah G.
Holliday, Elizabeth G.
Author
Lubans, David R.
Smith, Jordan J.
Eather, Narelle
Leahy, Angus A.
Morgan, Philip J.
Lonsdale, Chris
Plotnikoff, Ronald C.
Nilsson, Michael
Kennedy, Sarah G.
Holliday, Elizabeth G.
Weaver, Natasha
Noetel, Michael
Shigeta, Tatsuya T.
Mavilidi, Myrto F.
Valkenborghs, Sarah R.
Gyawali, Prajwal
Walker, Frederick R.
Costigan, Sarah A.
Hillman, Charles H.
Smith, Jordan J.
Eather, Narelle
Leahy, Angus A.
Morgan, Philip J.
Lonsdale, Chris
Plotnikoff, Ronald C.
Nilsson, Michael
Kennedy, Sarah G.
Holliday, Elizabeth G.
Weaver, Natasha
Noetel, Michael
Shigeta, Tatsuya T.
Mavilidi, Myrto F.
Valkenborghs, Sarah R.
Gyawali, Prajwal
Walker, Frederick R.
Costigan, Sarah A.
Hillman, Charles H.
Abstract
Background: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an important marker of current and future health status. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of a time-efficient school-based intervention on older adolescents’ CRF.
Methods: Two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial conducted in two cohorts (February 2018 to February 2019 and February 2019 to February 2020) in New South Wales, Australia. Participants (N=670, 44.6% women, 16.0±0.43 years) from 20 secondary schools: 10 schools (337 participants) were randomised to the Burn 2 Learn (B2L) intervention and 10 schools (333 participants) to the control. Teachers in schools allocated to the B2L intervention were provided with training, resources, and support to facilitate the delivery of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) activity breaks during curriculum time. Teachers and students in the control group continued their usual practice. The primary outcome was CRF (20 m multi-stage fitness test). Secondary outcomes were muscular fitness, physical activity, hair cortisol concentrations, mental health and cognitive function. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 months (primary end-point) and 12 months. Effects were estimated using mixed models accounting for clustering.
Results: We observed a group-by-time effect for CRF (difference=4.1 laps, 95% CI 1.8 to 6.4) at the primary end-point (6 months), but not at 12 months. At 6 months, group-by-time effects were found for muscular fitness, steps during school hours and cortisol.
Conclusions: Implementing HIIT during curricular time improved adolescents’ CRF and several secondary outcomes. Our findings suggest B2L is unlikely to be an effective approach unless teachers embed sessions within the school day.
Trial registration number: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618000293268).
Keywords
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
British Journal of Sports Medicine
Book
Volume
55
Issue
13
Page Range
751-758
Article Number
ACU Department
Non-faculty
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY-NC 4.0
File Access
Open