An active school model to promote physical activity in elementary schools: action schools! BC.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of an active school model on children's physical activity (PA).


METHODS
16-month cluster randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
10 elementary schools in Greater Vancouver, BC.


METHODS
515 children aged 9-11 years.


METHODS
Action Schools! BC (AS! BC) is an active school model that provided schools with training and resources to increase children's PA. Schools implemented AS! BC with support from either external liaisons (liaison schools, LS; four schools) or internal champions (champion schools, CS; three schools). Outcomes were compared with usual practice (UP) schools (three schools).


METHODS
PA was measured four times during the study using pedometers (step count, steps/day).


RESULTS
Boys in the LS group took 1175 more steps per day, on average, than boys in the UP group (95% CI: 97 to 2253). Boys in the CS group also tended to have a higher step count than boys in the UP group (+804 steps/day; 95% CI: -341 to 1949). There was no difference in girls' step counts across groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The positive effect of the AS! BC model on boys' PA is important in light of the current global trend of decreased PA.
Naylor
P-J
PJ
School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Macdonald
H M
HM
Warburton
D E R
DE
Reed
K E
KE
McKay
H A
HA
D001955:British Columbia; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012574:Schools; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*