Translational Health After School Program on Health-Related Knowledge/Behaviors and Exercise Perception

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Changes in Physical Fitness; Changes in Diet, Food, and Nutrition Habits; Changes in Child Health
• Interventions: Behavioral: THINK Program

• Registration Number: NCT02932813
• Lead Sponsor: University of Miami

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of a translational health in nutrition and kinesiology (THINK) after school program on physical variables, nutrition and exercise knowledge base/behaviors, and exercise enjoyment and confidence.

Partnering with the YMCA investigators in the Kinesiology and Sport Sciences department at the University of Miami will set up the after-school THINK program offered three afternoons per week for nine months in two experimental and two control schools. The schools will consist of minority elementary school students (predominantly Hispanic and Black) in the South Florida area. The control schools will receive baseline, mid-year and follow-up testing nine months later, but will not go through the THINK program. They will instead go through their standard YMCA after school Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) program.

Detailed Description

Two- thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, and that number continues to rise. Thus, it is not surprising that the prevalence of overweight/obesity has more than doubled in school children and tripled in adolescents. Concomitant with the rise in obesity has been a significant decrease in physical fitness levels (1,2). At least one study has shown the youth of today demonstrate lower aerobic fitness levels than their parents (3). Low aerobic fitness levels are most prevalent among Hispanic and Black (non-Hispanic) minority youth. No doubt the increases in TV viewing, computer time and technology have contributed to the increase in sedentary habits and decline in physical activity levels (4).

The THINK program translates fitness and health-related information into knowledge and skills that children can understand and incorporate into their own personal health and lifestyle behaviors. The program is unique in that it combines educational and hands-on clinical experiences with physical activity and exercise. The goal is to promote healthier, more active children of today who demonstrate improved levels of physical fitness, exercise knowledge, and enjoyment of tomorrow.

Each unit in the THINK program has three components: a seminar on the scientific aspects of a health-related theme, clinical experiences related to the theme, and related physical activities performed in the field. The THINK seminars engage students by getting them up and moving, while asking questions that prompt them to think creatively to come up with their own answers. Clinical experiences reinforce the educational themes allowing children to learn more about their bodies, how it functions, and how it adapts through various movement exercises. Finally, games and enjoyable physical activities round out the program contributing to enhanced motor skill development and improved physical fitness levels.

The THINK program will begin with a series of baseline physical assessments comprising both heath and performance-related physical fitness. Participants will also receive a quiz on nutrition and exercise-related information and two surveys regarding nutritional behaviors and physical activity levels. They will be asked to complete one survey on exercise enjoyment and self-confidence. Parents will also be asked to complete a survey each on their child's nutritional habits. This will be done in two experimental and two control YMCA after school programs comprising primarily minority (Hispanic and Black) participants. Testing will again take place midway through the program and at the conclusion of the program nine months later. The control group will not go through the THINK program but will instead go through the traditional SPARK curriculum.

The purpose of the study is to determine whether the THINK program results in improvements in physical fitness, nutrition and exercise knowledge/habits, and exercise enjoyment and self-confidence above that of the control group.

Basic Information
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Recruitment & Eligibility
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Study & Design
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Trial Locations

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2016-09-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2016-10-10
• Study First Posted: 2016-10-13
• Study Start: 2017-01-30
• Primary Completion: 2017-05-30
• Study Completion: 2017-05-30
• Status Verified: 2017-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-10-13
• Last Update Posted: 2017-10-17

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 73

Inclusion Criteria

• Children in grades 3-5 (aged 8-12)
• enrolled in a YMCA after-school program

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Exclusion Criteria

• Inability to perform physical activity
• Any cardiovascular, metabolic, or neurological disorders that would affect the child's ability to participate in the program or in testing.

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Intervention Group	THINK Program	THINK intervention: The program will have activity and fitness sessions lasting two hours, three times a week for a total of nine months. Sessions will include theory, clinical laboratory activities, and physically active games to facilitate a fun environment to enhance physical and health-related fitness, improve nutrition and exercise knowledge and behaviors, and exercise enjoyment and self-confidence.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Resting Measures	Baseline, at 4 months, and at 9 months	Resting heart rate and blood pressure will be assessed using an automatic blood pressure cuff.
Abdominal strength and endurance	Baseline, at 4 months, and at 9 months	A one minute curl-up (sit up) will be used to assess abdominal strength and endurance.
Lower body power	Baseline, at 4 months, and at 9 months	The height of a vertical jump test will be used to assess lower body power.
Aerobic fitness	Baseline, at 4 months, and at 9 months	An NIH 2 minute walk test will be used to assess aerobic fitness.
Agility and speed	Baseline, at 4 months, and at 9 months	A shuttle run will be used to assess agility and speed.
Flexibility	Baseline, at 4 months, and at 9 months	A lower body sit and reach test will be used to assess flexibility.
Upper-body strength and endurance	Baseline, at 4 months, and at 9 months	A hand-grip dynamometer will be used to assess upper body strength and endurance

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Body Composition	Baseline, at 4 months, and at 9 months	Electrical impedance and 3 site Skinfolds
Knowledge/Behaviors/Habits	Baseline, at 4 months, and at 9 months	International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and The CATCH Kids Club questionnaire will be given.
Exercise Enjoyment and Confidence	Baseline, at 4 months, and at 9 months	A modified Exercise Enjoyment Scale and a modified Exercise Self-Confidence Scale will be given
Nutritional survey	Baseline, at 4 months, and at 9 months	A parental survey of family nutrition behaviors will be given and An Exercise Physiology and Nutrition Knowledge Base Test
Body fat distribution	Baseline, at 4 months, and at 9 months	Waist and hip circumference will be measured

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Miami; 🇺🇸 Coral Gables, Florida, United States