Supplemental fitness activities and fitness in urban elementary school classrooms.

BACKGROUND

The physical activity levels of US children are declining. Opportunities for physical activity within city schools are constrained by time and space limits. This study determined whether a supplemental program of physical activity would significantly alter the fitness levels of low-income, minority, urban elementary schoolchildren.

METHODS

Ninety-nine students from two Cleveland Public Schools served as subjects. One school received a 15-week intervention program where teams of two medical students met with urban elementary schoolchildren three times a week for physical activity sessions. The other school served as a control and received no supplemental activity other than a regularly scheduled physical education class held once a week. We obtained field measurements of skinfold thickness, heart rate response to submaximal exercise, and sit and reach flexibility.

RESULTS

The supplemental activity group showed significant improvements in flexibility, body composition, and heart rate response to submaximal exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

This investigation indicates that a program of fitness activities conducted within the classroom can significantly improve levels of fitness in urban elementary schoolchildren.