Article by Claire Darlington MSc.
Objective: The prevalence of obesity and overweight is increasing in both adult and childhood populations throughout the world (WHO, 1998; Lobstein, 2004; Caballero, 2004; Kaur et al., 2003). The recent increase in sedentary behaviours and decline in daily physical activity levels are major factors
contributing to the current obesity epidemic (Saris et al., 2003). In the majority of secondary schools the teaching of P.E looks very similar, with something of ‘an implicit agreement as to what should be included in the curriculum and how it should be taught, with the focus being largely on the sporting model’ (Capel, 2007). Such a model appears to focus mainly on skill acquisition within a traditional curriculum, which places an unbalanced emphasis upon team games and is taught using a limited range of largely didactic pedagogic approaches (Green, 1998; Penney & Evans, 1999). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week school based alternative P.E programme in comparison to standard P.E lessons on health and fitness physiological markers on teenage girls.
Methods: Forty four teenage girls were recruited in the 12-week study and divided into two groups (alternative P.E and standard P.E). Measurements of height (m), weight (kg), BMI (kg/m2), waist circumference (cm), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg), RPE, aerobic fitness and activity levels were taken at baseline and post intervention. Independent t tests to reveal baseline differences between the two groups were performed with the significant difference set at p<0.05 and paired t tests to test the difference between two groups post intervention. It is hypothesised that the alternative P.E group would have significant improvements in waist circumference, BMI, blood pressure and aerobic fitness.
Results: There were no significant improvements in BMI (P=0.781) and waist circumference (p=0.914) in either of the P.E groups. RPE improved by 18.9% in the alternative P.E group, compared to only 9.2% in the standard P.E group. Aerobic fitness increased by 8.5% in comparison to the standard P.E group. There was no significant difference (p=0.112) in either of the groups in activity levels from baseline to post intervention
Conclusions: The effects of the alternative P.E programme showed some significant improvements in some of the measuring outcomes such as systolic and diastolic blood pressure and aerobic fitness. However similar interventions aimed at improving other health outcomes such as decreased waist circumference and BMI should look at increasing the length of the intervention as well as including a follow up phase to measure the long term benefits of such programmes.
Key Words: teenage girls, obesity, waist circumference, BMI, aerobic fitness, blood pressure, physical activity interventions.
Claire has an MSc in weight management and has an undergraduate degree in Sport & Exercise Science. Claire is an international presenter, guest speaker and regularly contributes to fitness magazines. Amongst her many teaching fields Claire is a specialist Pilates trainer and the founder of the STRIDE project, a successful 12-week weight management programme aimed at de-motivated teenagers. Claire also specialises in, pre and post natal fitness, outdoor fitness and weight management style classes. Claire is an assessor and tutor for Drummond Education and a well-respected instructor within the industry. Claire’s approachable and enthusiastic manner with a thirst for knowledge makes her one of the most up and coming presenters in the UK.