Effects of an Afterschool Activity Program on Children's Activity Level and Health-related Fitness
Findings of the Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health indicate that regular physical activity reduces the risks of coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and breast cancer. Consequently, several national organizations have targeted community-based and school programs to increase children's physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a non-competitive physical activity program on children's activity level and fitness levels. Specifically, the researcher examined the children's performance on the 10-minute walk-run (distance, average heart rate, and recovery heart rate), one-minute sit-ups, and sit-and-reach, prior to and following a 10-week activity program. In addition, heartrates were monitored each day to determine the success of the program in meeting the national recommendation of 30-60 minutes daily. The analyses indicated that participants were in their target heart rate zone 65% of the program time and that sit-ups, and sit-and-reach performances improved significantly from pre- to posttest. Ten-minute run-walk distances also improved while average heart rates and recovery heart rates did not change from pre- to posttest. The improvement in distance with no corresponding increase in heartrate values suggests that aerobic efficiency did improve. Results indicate that a physical activity program such as this one is a viable method to address the physical activity needs of elementary school children.