Active Class Space Metabolic Benefits Study
Condition: Childhood Obesity
MeSH terms: Pediatric Obesity
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      ACS examined the potential influence of intermittent physical activity breaks of various
      intensities (control, light, moderate, vigorous) on measures of immediate mental performance,
      mood, hunger and several metabolic outcomes in children aged 7-11 years. We build upon
      previous work to hypothesize that higher-intensity intermittent physical activity breaks
      throughout an 8-hour day will improve immediate mental performance, mood, and post-exercise
      physical activity levels, while reducing hunger and post-exercise food intake.
    

Detailed description: 
      Background: A range of metabolic, behavioral, mental and physical health benefits of regular
      physical activity have been documented in adults and children in the long-term. Yet,
      relatively little is known about how children's usual daily physical activity patterns (i.e.
      small bursts throughout the day) affect acute (immediately post-activity) and short-term (72
      hours post-activity) metabolic and psychosocial outcomes. Additionally, little is known how
      this specific pattern of physical activity affects subsequent physical activity levels (i.e.
      compensatory behavior) and subsequent dietary intake, over the short-term- information
      critical to designing effective interventions involving the physical environment of the
      school classroom. Overall Goal: Active Class Space (ACS) will examine the potential influence
      of intermittent physical activity breaks of various intensities (control, light, moderate,
      vigorous) on measures of immediate mental performance, mood, hunger and several metabolic
      outcomes in children aged 7-11 years. We build upon previous work to hypothesize that
      higher-intensity intermittent physical activity breaks throughout an 8-hour day will improve
      immediate mental performance, mood, and post-exercise physical activity levels, while
      reducing hunger and post-exercise food intake. Specific Aims: (1) To determine the effects of
      intermittent physical activity breaks of varying intensities on immediate mental performance,
      hunger and satiety; (2) To determine the effects of intermittent activity breaks of varying
      intensities on ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), perceived exercise enjoyment, in-task
      mood, post-exercise food intake and post-exercise physical activity levels; and (3) To
      examine gender differences in the preceding variables in response to low-, moderate, and
      high-intensity intermittent physical activity. Design: Eighteen healthy males and twenty-one
      healthy females between the ages of 7-11 years completed completed four experimental
      conditions in random order: (1) 8 hours of sitting interrupted with 2--minute,
      light--intensity activity breaks performed at 25% of heart rate reserve (HRR) every 18
      minutes; (2) 8 hours of sitting interrupted with 2--minute, moderate--intensity activity
      breaks (50% HRR); (3) 8 hours of sitting interrupted with 2--minute, high--intensity activity
      breaks (75% HRR); and (4) 8 hours of sitting interrupted with 2 minutes of sedentary screen
      time. Standardized meals will be provided during each experimental condition. Dietary intake
      and physical activity levels were monitored for the remainder of the experimental day and
      over the subsequent three days for each condition. Dependent Variables: Major outcome
      variables include: Energy expenditure measured by indirect calorimetry and heart rate;
      dietary intake measured using a 3-day dietary record; physical activity measured by
      accelerometry; immediate mental performance assessed using a 90-sec mathematical computation
      test; hunger and satiety assessed using a visual analog scale; RPE assessed using the Borg
      scale; perceived exercise enjoyment assessed using the physical activity enjoyment scale
      (PACES); in-task mood assessed using the Feeling Scale (FS) and Subjective Exercise
      Experiences Scale (SEES). Data Analysis: A linear mixed model will be fitted for each outcome
      variable with effects for condition, sex, BMI, and baseline physical activity level. A
      Bonferroni correction will be used to adjust for multiple comparisons in post hoc tests
      following the mixed-effect model. A similar linear mixed-model for raw levels of each outcome
      variable over time will also be fitted to assess temporal differences between conditions.
      This model will include effects for condition, time, time-by-condition interaction, sex, BMI,
      and baseline physical activity levels. Significance: ACS will shed new light on the
      short-term metabolic, behavioral, mental and physical health benefits of intermittent
      physical activity breaks in children. The results from this study will inform the design of
      behavioral and environmental interventions to promote physical activity and cognitive
      development in pediatric populations.
    

Intervention name(s): Light-Intensity Condition; Moderate-Intensity Condition; High-Intensity Condition; Sedentary Condition
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral; Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): The light-intensity condition consisted of 8 hours of sitting interrupted with 2--minute, light--intensity activity breaks performed at 25% of heart rate reserve (HRR) every 18 minutes. Standardized meals were provided.; The moderate-intensity condition consisted of 8 hours of sitting interrupted with 2--minute, moderate-intensity activity breaks performed at 50% of heart rate reserve (HRR) every 18 minutes. Standardized meals were provided.; The high-intensity condition consisted of 8 hours of sitting interrupted with 2--minute, vigorous-intensity activity breaks performed at 75% of heart rate reserve (HRR) every 18 minutes. Standardized meals were provided.; The sedentary condition consisted of 8 hours of sitting interrupted with 2-minutes of screen time every 18 minutes. Standardized meals were provided.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single (Participant)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: physical activity