Clinical trial NCT00998478: Cardiovascular Disease and the Effects of a Cross-curricular Physical Activity Intervention
Official title: Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and the Effects of a Cross-curricular Physical Activity Intervention in 11-14 Year Olds. Activity Knowledge Circuit
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Cardiovascular Disease
Lead sponsor: University of Glamorgan
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Sports Council Wales
name: University of Wales Institute Cardiff
First posted: 2009-10-20
Enrollment: 192
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 11
Maximum age (years): 14
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: PREVENTION

Brief summary: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a cross-curricular physical activity intervention on cardiovascular disease risk factors in 11-14 year olds. The null hypothesis states that the intervention will have no effect on cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Detailed description: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease including obesity, blood pressure and blood lipids have been shown to track from childhood through to adulthood. The prevalence of overweight and obesity for children (4-18 years) in the UK is reported to be 15 % and 4 % respectively. Furthermore, in comparison to England (2.9 %) obesity is more prevalent for those living in Scotland (7.6 %) and Wales (6.5 %). Previous research from two Welsh secondary schools indicate overweight and obesity rates for boys and girls aged 12-13 to be even greater at 26 % and 38 % respectively. Further to this, 19 % were identified as having elevated total cholesterol (≥5.2 mmol/L).

For many, overweight and obesity is the result of the combined effect of excess energy consumption and inadequate physical activity. Previous school-based physical activity interventions have demonstrated modest improvements to cardiovascular disease risk factors by implementing extra-curricular activities or improving current physical education curriculum. Few have attempted to increase physical activity using normally, class-room taught curriculum subjects. This study examines the impact of activity knowledge circuits to combat cardiovascular disease risk factors in 11-14 year old children.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Any pupil attending years 7, 8, and 9 of a secondary comprehensive school in South Wales

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any pupil with an injury or illness that prevented them from taking part in any form of physical activity.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Cardiovascular disease risk factors (obesity, blood pressure, blood lipid & lipoprotein)
timeFrame: 6 Months
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Physical activity behaviour and aerobic fitness profile
timeFrame: 6 Months
measure: 7 day diet assessment
timeFrame: 6 Months
measure: Maturation status
timeFrame: 6 Months
measure: Motivation to exercise
timeFrame: 6 Months
measure: Psychological well-being, self concept, and cognitive performance
timeFrame: 6 Months
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Porth
country: United Kingdom
facility: Porth County Community School
state: Rhondda Cynon Taff
Study officials:
affiliation: University of Wales Institute Cardiff
name: Gareth J Knox, MSc
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Knox G, Baker JS, Davies B, Faulkner S, Rance J, Rees A, Morgan K, Thomas N. A cross-curricular physical activity intervention to combat cardiovascular disease risk factors in 11-14 year olds: 'activity knowledge circuit'. BMC Public Health. 2009 Dec 15;9:466. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-9-466.