title: Effects of a 12-week physical activity protocol delivered by YMCA after-school counselors (Youth Fit for Life) on fitness and self-efficacy changes in 5-12-year-old boys and girls.
abstract: To address reduced physical education (PE) in elementary schools, a 12-week physical activity protocol was tested on 5-12-year-old, primarily African American, girls (n = 226) and boys (n = 344) at 14 YMCA after-school care sites. The 3 times/week, 45-min session curriculum included cardiovascular, resistance, and flexibility training, in which all children could participate simultaneously, and a behavioral skills education component. After-school counselors, formerly untrained in PE methods, administered the sessions, with periodic supervision by YMCA wellness staff members. Analyses of the eight Age x Sex subsamples indicated significant improvements on body composition, strength, and endurance, both within-groups and when predicted changes due to maturation were accounted for. Exercise barriers self-efficacy significantly increased in subsamples of 9-10- and 11-12-year-old girls only. The need for replication across ethnic groups was suggested. Limitations and the need for extension of research on supplementation of elementary school PE were discussed.
authors.affiliation: YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. jamesa@ymcaatlanta.org
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Annesi
authors.forename: Wayne L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Westcott
authors.forename: Avery D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Faigenbaum
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Unruh
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002654:Child Care / Q000379:methods*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors