Effect of Additional Sport Lessons at School on Physical Activity Level, Fitness and Anthropometrics Measures of Elementary Low Socio-Economic Children

Background: Physical activity (PA) contributes to children’s health, weight, physical fitness, and more. Yet reports in recent years show low activity and increased sedentary behavior. Furthermore, studies that investigate the connection between low socioeconomic status (SES) and physical activity in children have shown poor outcomes.

Aims: To develop and measure the effect of the Kfitz (Spring) Program to promote physical activity (PA) among elementary-school children of low SES background.

Methods: A group-randomized clinical trial of 88 elementary-school children, ages 7–9, of low SES background took part. The intervention group (IG) (n=42) received additional twice-weekly physical training for three months. At inclusion (time 0), program conclusion (time 1), and 12 weeks after conclusion (time 2), aerobic fitness (600-meter run), anthropometric measurements, and number of steps daily were evaluated.

Results: The IG aerobic fitness significantly improved compared to the control; skinfold sub-scapular thickness decreased significantly only in IG; number of steps was significantly greater in IG compared to control at and after school with a significant decline only in the control group.

Discussion and Conclusions: Kfitz demonstrated improvement in physical fitness in a brief period, sustained three months after. Despite additional structured PA, unstructured PA did not decline in the IG, and even increased during leisure hours. This may suggest that increasing structured activity encourages reduction of sedentary behavior. A decrease in skinfold thickness and health-improvement potential, manifested after such a brief intervention is encouraging. The long-term effect of the Kfitz program has not yet been examined.