Effects of a 10-Week Integrated Curriculum Intervention on Physical Activity, Resting Blood Pressure, Motor Skills, and Well-Being in 6- to 7-Year-Olds

Duncan, MJ ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2016-6580, Davies, KF ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1853-9667, Okwose, N ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0145-2538, Harwood, AE ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5745-2564 and Jakovljevic, DG ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2686-6542 (2024) Effects of a 10-Week Integrated Curriculum Intervention on Physical Activity, Resting Blood Pressure, Motor Skills, and Well-Being in 6- to 7-Year-Olds. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 21 (6). pp. 595-605. ISSN 1543-3080

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Abstract

Background: Integrated curriculum interventions have been suggested as an effective means to increase physical activity (PA) and health. The feasibility of such approaches in children living in deprivation is unknown. This study sought to pilot an integrated curriculum pedometer intervention in children living in deprivation on school-based PA, body fatness, resting blood pressure, motor skills, and well-being. Methods: Using a pilot cluster randomized intervention design, children (6–7 y old, n = 64) from 2 schools in central England undertook: (1) 10-week integrated curriculum intervention or (2) control (regular school-based activity). School-based PA, body fatness, resting blood pressure, motor skills, and well-being were assessed preintervention and postintervention. Results: For the intervention group, PA was higher on school days when children had physical education lessons or there were physically active integrated curriculum activities. Body fatness significantly decreased, and well-being and perceived physical competence increased, pre–post for the intervention group compared with the control group. Accelerometer-derived PA, motor skills, and resting blood pressure were not significantly different pre–post for intervention or control groups. Conclusions: A 10-week integrated curriculum PA intervention is feasible to conduct and can positively impact aspects of health in 6- to 7-year-old children in England.