A Short-term Longitudinal Study Of The Effectiveness Of Kids Get Fit Fitness And Nutrition Curriculum

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of the Kids Get Fit (KGF) fitness (premised on integrative neuromuscular training) curriculum and nutritional education on measures of movement competence, muscular endurance, and dietary behavior in elementary school age children. METHODS: Participants were 4th graders at two local schools (94 ± 2% Hispanic/Latino) in Corpus Christi, Texas, i.e., experimental (n = 69; 31 males) (8.5 ± 0.5 years; 132.6 ± 6.3 cm; 36.3 ± 10.7 kg) and control (n = 40; 14 males) (8.4 ± 1.2 years; 131.7 ± 17.1 cm; 35.7 ± 11.5 kg). KGF instructors delivered an engaging curriculum that included fitness, dance, yoga, and nutritional education to children at the intervention school, while the control school had traditional physical education class across 12 weeks. Movement competence (standing long jump), muscular endurance (90o push-up), and dietary behaviors (EFNEP 3rd-5th Grade Survey) were assessed at baseline and within a week of concluding the intervention. A series of factorial ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U Test was used to explore differences within and between groups. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction of time and intervention (F(1,108) = 7.973, P = .006); the control group had higher resting heart rate increase compared to the experimental group. There was a significant interaction of time and intervention (F(1,96) = 8.579, P = .004); the experimental group showed greater increase in standing long jump performance compared to the control group. There was a significant main effect of the intervention (F(1,107) = 6.192, P = .014); the experimental group showed increased 90o push-up performance compared to the control group. There were no significant differences in sugar-sweetened beverage (U = 1311.500, P = .505), vegetable (U = 1399.500, P = .924), and fruit (U = 1341.500, P = .629) consumption between groups after 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest the intervention improved muscular endurance and movement competence. Improved stability of resting heart rate suggests favorable cardiovascular effects attributed to enhanced fitness. Lack of differences in dietary behaviors further underscore the importance of involving entire families in nutritional education and addressing access to healthy foods in elementary school age children.