title: Physical activity and academic achievement across the curriculum: Results from a 3-year cluster-randomized trial.
abstract: We compared changes in academic achievement across 3years between children in elementary schools receiving the Academic Achievement and Physical Activity Across the Curriculum intervention (A+PAAC), in which classroom teachers were trained to deliver academic lessons using moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) compared to a non-intervention control. Elementary schools in eastern Kansas (n=17) were cluster randomized to A+PAAC (N=9, target ≥100min/week) or control (N=8). Academic achievement (math, reading, spelling) was assessed using the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-Third Edition (WIAT-III) in a sample of children (A+PAAC=316, Control=268) in grades 2 and 3 at baseline (Fall 2011) and repeated each spring across 3years. On average 55min/week of A+PACC lessons were delivered each week across the intervention. Baseline WIAT-III scores (math, reading, spelling) were significantly higher in students in A+PAAC compared with control schools and improved in both groups across 3years. However, linear mixed modeling, accounting for baseline between group differences in WIAT-III scores, ethnicity, family income, and cardiovascular fitness, found no significant impact of A+PAAC on any of the academic achievement outcomes as determined by non-significant group by time interactions. A+PAAC neither diminished or improved academic achievement across 3-years in elementary school children compared with controls. Our target of 100min/week of active lessons was not achieved; however, students attending A+PAAC schools received an additional 55min/week of MVPA which may be associated with both physical and mental health benefits, without a reduction in time devoted to academic instruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. Electronic address: jdonnelly@ku.edu.
authors.forename: Joseph E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, 125 NI, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hillman
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Science, The University of Kansas, 1301 West Campus Road, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA.
authors.forename: Jerry L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Research in Education, The University of Kansas, 1122 West Campus Road, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
authors.forename: Cheryl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
authors.forename: Debra K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Research in Education, The University of Kansas, 1122 West Campus Road, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Poggio
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mayo
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lambourne
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. Electronic address: aszabo2@ku.edu.
authors.forename: Amanda N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Szabo-Reed
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffery J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Honas
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 906 South Goodwin, Urbana, Il 61801, USA.
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Scudder
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Betts
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Henley
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
authors.forename: Suzanne L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Center for Physical Activity and Weight Management, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Washburn
mesh_terms: D000076363:Academic Success; D002648:Child; D003479:Curriculum; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007615:Kansas; D008297:Male; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students
keywords: Academic achievement; Cardiovascular fitness; Children; Cluster-randomized trial; Cognitive function; Physical activity