Abstract
Background:An adequate level of physical activity is an important part of children's lifestyle. The school environment plays a significant role in the area of interventions and strategies aiming to increase the level of physical activity in children. Objectives: The aim of this study is to analyse foreign recommendations leading to an increased level of physical activity in children and young people in Czech schools. Methods: A systematic search of studies published between 1988 and 2012 in the English language was completed in library databases Medline, Sport Discus, ProQuest, PsychInfo, ERIC, Wiley InterScience using the following keywords: physical activity, guidelines, recommendations, school and youth. The studies were then classified based on abstract and full-text analyses. Using a content analysis the expert team formulated the final recommendations to increase the level of physical activity for schools in the Czech Republic (CR). Results: Out of the total number of 91 identified foreign studies, 25 met the predetermined criteria and were used as a basis for formulating the recommendations. These foreign studies included 15 papers published in USA, two in Australia, two in Great Britain, two in Canada, one in the European Union, one in New Zealand and one international paper (an international consensus of experts from 34 countries). Based on the interpretation of the evidence, its justification and final consensus of the expert team, the basic areas for the recommendations to increase the level of physical activity in schools in the CR were identified. Conclusions: An analysis of foreign recommendations to increase the level of physical activity designed for schools and school facilities is one of the possible methods of formulating domestic recommendations. This recommendation could contribute to deeper understanding of the issue of the deteriorating lifestyle of school-aged children in the CR and reflects the efforts for improvement.
Highlights
Overhelming evidence supports the importance of regular physical activity (PA), which has a positive effect on the health of children and young people through preventing a number of diseases, preventing overweight and obesity, decreasing high blood pressure and helping to improve mental health (Guillaume, Lapidus, Björntorp, & Lambert, 2012; Iannotti, Kogan, Janssen, & Boyce, 2009; Warburton, Charlesworth, Ivey, Nettlefold, & Bredin, 2010)
A prerequisite for including a study in the final content analysis was its classification as a recommendation/guideline designed for children and young people without health or other restrictions aged 5 to 19 years (Figure 1)
After that we contacted independent experts to check any omissions, the recommendations to increase the level of PA in schools in the Czech Republic were developed
Summary
PA promotion is one of the basic intervention strategies of improving the quality of life and the effort to decrease the risk and seriousness of chronic diseases It is an important element in increasing the effectiveness of the educational system and has a positive. Risk periods affecting the lifestyle include even early childhood (Gunter, Almstedt, & Janz, 2012; Tremblay, Boudreau-Larivière, & Cimon-Lambert, 2012) This age period offers a space for targeted interventions (Harris, Kuramoto, Schulzer, & Retallack, 2009; Pate & O’Neill, 2009). Conclusions: An analysis of foreign recommendations to increase the level of physical activity designed for schools and school facilities is one of the possible methods of formulating domestic recommendations This recommendation could contribute to deeper understanding of the issue of the deteriorating lifestyle of school-aged children in the CR and reflects the efforts for improvement
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
