Journal article 1507 views 212 downloads
Active children through individual vouchers – evaluation (ACTIVE): protocol for a mixed method randomised control trial to increase physical activity levels in teenagers
,
Danielle Christian,
Samantha Scott,
Charlotte Todd ,
Gareth Stratton ,
Sarah McCoubrey,
Julian Halcox ,
Suzanne Audrey,
Elizabeth Ellins,
Sinead Brophy ,
Libby Ellins
BMC Public Health, Volume: 18, Issue: 1
Swansea University Authors:
Michaela James , Charlotte Todd , Gareth Stratton , Julian Halcox , Sinead Brophy , Libby Ellins
-
PDF | Version of Record
Download (688.61KB)
DOI (Published version): 10.1186/s12889-017-4554-7
Abstract
BackgroundMany teenagers are insufficiently active despite the health benefits of physical activity (PA). There is strong evidence to show that inactivity and low fitness levels increase the risk of non-communicable diseases such as coronary heart disease (CHD), type 2 diabetes and breast and colon...
| Published in: | BMC Public Health |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1471-2458 |
| Published: |
2017
|
| Online Access: |
Check full text
|
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa34629 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Abstract: |
BackgroundMany teenagers are insufficiently active despite the health benefits of physical activity (PA). There is strong evidence to show that inactivity and low fitness levels increase the risk of non-communicable diseases such as coronary heart disease (CHD), type 2 diabetes and breast and colon cancers (Lee et al. Lancet 380:219–29, 2012). A major barrier facing adolescents is accessibility (e.g. cost and lack of local facilities). The ACTIVE project aims to tackle this barrier through a multi-faceted intervention, giving teenagers vouchers to spend on activities of their choice and empowering young people to improve their fitness and PA levels.DesignACTIVE is a mixed methods randomised control trial in 7 secondary schools in Swansea, South Wales. Quantitative and qualitative measures including PA (cooper run test (CRT), accelerometery over 7 days), cardiovascular (CV) measures (blood pressure, pulse wave analysis) and focus groups will be undertaken at 4 separate time points (baseline, 6 months,12 months and follow-up at 18 months). Intervention schools will receive a multi-component intervention involving 12 months of £20 vouchers to spend on physical activities of their choice, a peer mentor scheme and opportunities to attend advocacy meetings. Control schools are encouraged to continue usual practice. The primary aim is to examine the effect of the intervention in improving cardiovascular fitness.DiscussionThis paper describes the protocol for the ACTIVE randomised control trial, which aims to increase fitness, physical activity and socialisation of teenagers in Swansea, UK via a voucher scheme combined with peer mentoring. Results can contribute to the evidence base on teenage physical activity and, if effective, the intervention has the potential to inform future physical activity interventions and policy. |
|---|---|
| Keywords: |
Fitness, Physical activity, Peer mentor, Teenagers, Voucher, Mixed methods |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Issue: |
1 |