A cluster randomised trial of a school-based intervention to prevent decline in adolescent physical activity levels: study protocol for the 'Physical Activity 4 Everyone' trial.

Rachel Sutherland,Nicole Nathan,Luke Wolfenden,Elizabeth Campbell,David R Lubans,Anthony D Okely,Karen Gillham,Lynda Davies,Jannah Jones,Philip J Morgan,John Wiggers

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-13-57

Abstract

BackgroundAdolescence is an established period of physical activity decline. Multi-component school-based interventions have the potential to slow the decline in adolescents’ physical activity; however, few interventions have been conducted in schools located in low-income or disadvantaged communities. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a multi-component school-based intervention in reducing the decline in physical activity among students attending secondary schools located in disadvantaged communities.Methods/DesignThe cluster randomised trial will be conducted with 10 secondary schools located in selected regions of New South Wales, Australia. The schools will be selected from areas that have a level of socio-economic status that is below the state average. Five schools will be allocated to receive an intervention based on the Health Promoting Schools framework, and will be supported by a part-time physical activity consultant placed in intervention schools who will implement a range of intervention adoption strategies. Study measures will be taken at baseline when students are in Year 7 (12–13 years) and again after 12- and 24-months. The primary outcome, minutes of moderate- to-vigorous- intensity physical activity per day and percentage of time in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), will be objectively assessed using accelerometers (Actigraph GT3x+). Group allocation and intervention delivery will commence after baseline data collection. The intervention will continue during school terms through to 24-month follow-up.DiscussionThe study will provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of a multi-component school-based intervention that includes an in-school physical activity consultant targeting the physical activity levels of adolescents in disadvantaged Australian secondary schools.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12612000382875.

Highlights

Adolescence is an established period of physical activity decline
The study will provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of a multi-component school-based intervention that includes an in-school physical activity consultant targeting the physical activity levels of adolescents in disadvantaged Australian secondary schools
Of the secondary schools within the study region, those that meet the following criteria will be eligible to participate in the study: Government and Catholic schools; schools with postcodes ranked in the bottom 50% of New South Wales postcodes based on the Socio-Economic Indexes For Australia (SEIFA) [39]; have between 120–200 Year 7 students; and are not participating in other major physical activity or health intervention studies

Summary

Introduction

Adolescence is an established period of physical activity decline. Multi-component school-based interventions have the potential to slow the decline in adolescents’ physical activity; few interventions have been conducted in schools located in low-income or disadvantaged communities. Being physically active can prevent numerous chronic diseases including coronary heart disease, obesity, some types of cancers such as colorectal and breast cancers, and improve muscle strength and fitness and aspects of mental health [1,2]. The physical activity decline associated with adolescence is steeper among youth from disadvantaged or low income communities [8,9]. Reducing this decline is an important health priority as inactivity tends to track into adulthood [10]

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