The process of urbanization and the rapid development of information technology have greatly reduced the space and time available for children's outdoor activities. In this study, we expect to study the effects of the addition of physical education classes after school on the academic performance, mental health, physical fitness, and myopia among primary school children.
Urbanization has led to a shrinking of the space suitable for residential activities and a dramatic change in the behavioural patterns, which is particularly evident in children. The spread and development of information technology has reduced children's time for physical activity. Previous studies have found that physical activity is essential for the growth and development of adolescents, preventing and reducing obesity, slowing the development of myopia, and is closely linked to mental health. However, parents in China are concerned that increased outdoor activity will reduce the amount of time spent studying and affect academic performance. Currently, there is a lack of strong evidence on the impact of physical activity on academic performance. In this study, we propose to provide after-school physical education classes for students in primary schools in a rapidly urbanizing area, and assess the effects of the intervention on children's academic performance, physical fitness, myopia, and mental health to provide evidence for the development of educational programs and arrangements for after-school activities.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
2,032
The group follows the schedule of school teaching programme. Extra-curricular sports classes will be organized and provided in this group of schools in the afternoon after school until 6 p.m. (Monday to Friday).
Yudu
Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
Mathematics test scores at the end of the first academic year
The test paper will follow the design principles of International Mathematics and science learning, and referring to the local unified examination papers of grade three and grade four, the unified examination questions are formulated to evaluate the students' learning in school
Time frame: 1 year
Combined physical fitness test score at the end of the first academic year
Total scores of physical fitness tests according to 2018 National Physical Fitness Survey Monitoring Programme
Time frame: 1 year
Incidence of myopia in the first school year
Spherical equivalent after mydriasis ≤ -0.5 D in either eye
Time frame: 1 year
Happiness Assessment at the end of the first academic year
Happiness score is rated by Chinese version of the WHO-5 including 5 items with ratings: 0, at no time-5, all of the time. The total raw score, ranging from 0 to 25, is multiplied by 4 to give the final score, with 0 representing the worst imaginable well-being and 100 representing the best imaginable well-being
Time frame: 1 year
Mathematics test scores at the end of the second school year
The test paper will follow the design principles of International Mathematics and science learning, and referring to the local unified examination papers of grade three and grade four, the unified examination questions are formulated to evaluate the students' learning in school
Time frame: up to 2 years
Combined physical fitness test scores at the end of the second academic year
Total scores of physical fitness tests according to 2018 National Physical Fitness Survey Monitoring Programme
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Time frame: up to 2 years
Cumulative incidence of myopia over two school years
Spherical equivalent after mydriasis ≤ -0.5 D in either eye
Time frame: up to 2 years
Happiness assessment at the second school year
Happiness score is rated by Chinese (September, 2007) version of the WHO-5 including 5 items with ratings: 0, at no time-5, all of the time. The total raw score, ranging from 0 to 25, is multiplied by 4 to give the final score, with 0 representing the worst imaginable well-being and 100 representing the best imaginable well-being
Time frame: up to 2 years
Satisfaction assessment
Satisfaction of pupils in the intervention group with the addition of PE after school will be measured by a questionnaire which is designed by reaserchers.
Time frame: 1 year