An active break program (ACTIVA-MENTE) at elementary schools in Chile: study protocol for a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Physical inactivity is prevalent in childhood. Schools can be an ideal context to promote the regular practice of physical activity since children spend there a large part of the day. In this sense, an emerging and current trend is active breaks at school. This article presents a study protocol that seeks to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of an intervention with active breaks (ACTIVA-MENTE program) in a school context on physical activity, on-task classroom behavior, and the physical activity enjoyment in schoolchildren. Methods: The protocol includes children aged 10 to 11 years. Two groups will be randomized (intervention and control groups). The intervention group will use the active break program, ACTIVA-MENTE, which consists of the application of a 4-min, 30-s video with moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity. These breaks will be taken 6 times a day in the classes for 6 weeks. The total physical activity will be measured with accelerometers (Actigraph wGT3X-BT), the on-task behavior through the Direct Behavior Rating Scale and the level of enjoyment through the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. Discussion: Previous research reported that active breaks have positive results in physical activity levels. This study will be one of the few to design active breaks through videos without depending on the presence of a physical education teacher and it can also provide new findings on the effectiveness of an active break's structure (e.g., types of exercises and intensity) on the indicated outcomes. Expected results: It is expected that the ACTIVA-MENTE program can be a suitable program for school settings, potentially increasing physical activity levels, and the commitment to the task, as well as be a pleasant moment for the students. Clinical trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT05403996.

Physical Fitness, Selective Attention and Academic Performance in a Pre-Adolescent Sample.

The purpose of the current study is to analyze the relationships between physical fitness, selective attention, and academic performance in pre-teens. The sample here consists of 135 participants between the ages of 10 and 12 (M = 11.05; SD = 0.61), with 39.26% female (n = 53) and 60.74% male (n = 82) participants. Horizontal and vertical jump distances, speed, and cardio-respiratory fitness were evaluated to assess physical fitness. The d2 Test of Attention was used to evaluate selective attention. In addition, data were obtained regarding participant academic performance by analyzing the academic performance. The results show significant relationships between the measures analyzed, highlighting positive associations between physical fitness, cognitive functioning, and academic performance. Thus, participants who were fitter scored better on tests of attention (Z133 = -4.07; p < 0.00007, Cohen's d = 0.75, 95% CI (0.39, 1.11)) and concentration (t133 = -3.84; p < 0.0007, Cohen's d = 0.69, 95% CI (0.33, 1.05)), as well as having higher academic performance (Z133 = -2.84; p < 0.0035, Cohen's d = 0.39, 95% CI (0.04, 0.75)). Cardiorespiratory fitness was the measure of physical fitness that best explained these relationships. The results suggest that maintaining and improving the physical fitness of children and adolescents may help their brain function develop better.

Adiposidad corporal, estilos de vida y nivel de actividad física en mujeres dueñas de casa y trabajadoras remuneradas chilenas / Adiposity, healthy lifestyle and physical activity levels in housewives and women with paid employment in Chile

RESUMEN En Chile existe escasa evidencia en relación a las características de los estilos de vida en mujeres dueñas de casa versus mujeres con trabajos renumerados. El objetivo del estudio fue comparar marcadores de adiposidad, hábitos de consumo asociados a estilos de vida y nivel de actividad física (AF) en mujeres dueñas de casa y trabajadoras remuneradas chilenas. Se compararon variables de adiposidad como el índice de masa corporal (IMC), peso corporal, perímetro de cintura (PC), estilos de vida y niveles de AF (transporte, moderada y vigorosa intensidad y tiempo sedente) de 2.232 participantes de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2009-2010. Las dueñas de casa, en comparación con las trabajadoras renumeradas, presentaron un mayor IMC (27,9 vs. 20,0 kg/m2, <0,0001) y PC (98,3 vs. 95,6 cm, <0,0001). El tiempo destinado a la práctica de AF de trasporte (42,5 vs. 51,5 min/día, p= 0,009), moderada (94,2 vs. 128,4 min/día, <0,0001) y vigorosa (25,06 vs. 53,49 min/día, <0,0001) fue menor en dueñas de casa que en trabajadoras renumeradas. Por el contrario, las dueñas de casa destinaron menor tiempo al desarrollo de actividades sedentes (2,71 vs. 3,26 horas/día, <0,0001), además mostraron un menor consumo de alcohol (30,5 vs. 43,2 g/día, p= 0,021) en comparación a trabajadoras renumeradas.

ABSTRACT Lifestyle behaviours among women who take care of their home duties (housewives) and women who are currently working in paid employment is unknown in the Chilean population. The aim of this study was, therefore, to characterise adiposity, lifestyle behaviours and physical activity levels in housewives and women with paid employment in Chile. A total of 2,231 women from the National Health Survey 2009-2010 were included in this study. Adiposity markers (body weight, body mass index and waist circumference), lifestyle behaviors and physical activity were measured using self-reported questionnaires. The main findings of this study was that housewives had a higher body mass index (27,9 vs. 20,0 kg/m2, <0,0001) and waist circumference (98,3 vs. 95,6 cm, <0,0001) than women with paid-employment. Physical activity levels were lower (transport PA 42,5 vs. 51,5 min/day, p= 0,009, moderate PA 94,2 vs. 128,4 min/ day, <0,0001 and vigorous PA 25,06 vs. 53,49 min/day, <0,0001) and sedentary-related behaviours (2,71 vs. 3,26 hours/day, <0,0001) were higher in housewives compare to women with paid-employment. Dietary behaviors showed that housewives consume less alcohol (30,5 vs. 43,2 g/day, p= 0,021) than women with paid-employment.

Motivación autodeterminada y estado de flow en un programa extraescolar de Small Sided Games / Self-determined motivation and state of flow in an extracurricular program of Small Sided Games

The aim of this work was to analyze the effects of a Small Sided Games (SSG) extracurricular program based on football in the selfdetermined motivation and state of flow. The program lasted 11 weeks and 47 adolescents from Playa Ancha (Valparaiso, Chile) (15.57 ± .72 years). A quasi-experimental design pre-post test was used with a control group. In order to evaluate the motivation, the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3) was used, and, to analyze the flow, the Flow State Scale was used (FSS). The results obtained indicated positive effects of the program on intrinsic regulation, introjected regulation, amotivation, the perception of the challenge-skill balance, the distortion of time and the autotelic experience. These data suggest that sports participation in extracurricular hours could have a positive impact on self-determined motivation and the state of flow, improving the experience of physicalsporting practice in the school context

El propósito de este trabajo fue analizar los efectos de un programa extraescolar de Small Sided Games (SSGs) basado en el fútbol sobre la motivación autodeterminada y el estado de flow. El programa tuvo una duración de 11 semanas y participaron 47 adolescentes varones del sector de Playa Ancha (Valparaíso, Chile) (15.57 ± .72 años). Se empleó un diseño cuasi-experimental pre-post test con un grupo control. Para evaluar la motivación se utilizó el Cuestionario de Regulación de la Conducta en el Ejercicio (BREQ-3) y para analizar el estado de flow se utilizó la Escala de Estado de Flow (FSS). Los resultados obtenidos indicaron efectos positivos del programa sobre la regulación intrínseca, la regulación introyectada, la desmotivación, la percepción del equilibrio reto-habilidad, la distorsión del tiempo y la experiencia autotélica. Estos datos sugieren que la participación deportiva en horario extraescolar podría incidir positivamente en la motivación autodeterminada y el estado de flow, mejorando la experiencia de práctica físico-deportiva en el contexto escolar

[Effects of small-sided exercises on body composition and maximal oxygen uptake in adolescents]. / Efecto de los juegos reducidos en la composición corporal y la condición física aeróbica en un grupo de adolescentes escolares.

BACKGROUND: The regular practice of physical activity contributes to weight control and improves maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), socialization and quality of life. AIM: To determine the effect of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on body composition and VO2max in a group of overweight school-age males. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied fifty-five overweight males aged 15.6 ± 0.7 years. Participants were divided in two groups (experimental and control groups). The intervention in the experimental group was the practice of small-sided games during 60 minutes, two days per week and during 11 weeks. At baseline and the end of the intervention, body composition was measured using bioimpedance and VO2max was calculated using the Course Navette test. RESULTS: A 7% reduction in the percentage of body fat and a 9% increase in VO2max were observed in the experimental group (p < 0.01). No changes were recorded in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Eleven weeks of small-sided exercises performed twice per week increased VO2max and reduced fat mass in overweight adolescents.

Efecto de los juegos reducidos en la composición corporal y la condición física aeróbica en un grupo de adolescentes escolares / Effects of small-sided exercises on body composition and maximal oxygen uptake in adolescents

Background: The regular practice of physical activity contributes to weight control and improves maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), socialization and quality of life. Aim: To determine the effect of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on body composition and VO2max in a group of overweight school-age males. Material and Methods: We studied fifty-five overweight males aged 15.6 ± 0.7 years. Participants were divided in two groups (experimental and control groups). The intervention in the experimental group was the practice of small-sided games during 60 minutes, two days per week and during 11 weeks. At baseline and the end of the intervention, body composition was measured using bioimpedance and VO2max was calculated using the Course Navette test. Results: A 7% reduction in the percentage of body fat and a 9% increase in VO2max were observed in the experimental group (p < 0.01). No changes were recorded in the control group. Conclusions: Eleven weeks of small-sided exercises performed twice per week increased VO2max and reduced fat mass in overweight adolescents.