The Fit 4 Fun Program: Promoting physical fitness and health in primary school children.

INTERVENTION: The ‘Fit 4 Fun’ Program is an 8‐week comprehensive school‐based health‐related fitness program designed for Stage 3 primary school students. Its effectiveness and suitability for use in primary schools will be evaluated through a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) feasibility study in two primary schools. The ‘Fit 4 Fun’ program will take a multi‐faceted approach to physical fitness education by involving students, staff, parents and family members in a range of fun and challenging activities designed to increase knowledge, skills and attitudes regarding physical fitness and health. The Fit 4 Fun Program was developed in accordance to the NSW Personal Development, Health & Physical Education (PDHPE) K‐6 curriculum and is grounded in Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory and Harter's Competence Motivation theory. The program facilitates behaviour change by targeting the following mediators of change: self‐efficacy, social support, self‐monitoring and enjoyment. The Fit 4 Fun program focuses on the three areas of a 'Health Promoting School' by having programs that combine to improve the physical fitness behaviours and attitudes of children and their families. They are:‐ 1) Home: the children complete an 8 week home activity program with their parents and siblings & / or friends. The program is completed 4 times for week and not only engages the participants in a range of innovative fitness‐based activities and games but also provides activities specifically designed to enhance skills is self‐evaluation, physical fitness assessment and goal‐setting. The children are provided with a home activity booklet and access to equipment. 2) Curriculum: the students participate in 8 weekly PDHPE lessons (60min) that are specifically designed to improve knowledge, skills, understanding and appreciation of the role that physical fitness and fitness assessment plays in improving health. The lessons combine theoretical and practical learning experiences across the 4 health‐related fitness components (flexibility, muscular fitness, body composition and cardio‐respiratory fitness). The teachers and students are provided with work booklets, all resources and learning materials. 3) School Environment: during recess and lunch breaks, children are encouraged to participate in a wide range of fun activities, small‐sided games and fitness challenges to not only get the children physically active but to improve their physical fitness levels. The children are provided with game cards and equipment, and are encouraged to be self‐motivated & directed during their break times. CONDITION: Physical activity in primary school children Physical fitness in primary school children PRIMARY OUTCOME: Health‐Related Physical Fitness 1) Cardiorespiratory fitness will be assessed using the 20m shuttle test (beep test) 2) Muscular fitness will be assessed using the 7‐stage sit‐up test, the Basketball Throw test, Cadence Push‐Up test and Wall Squat Test. 3) Flexibility will be assessed using the Sit & Reach test and the Shoulder Stretch test. 4) Body Composition will calculated using measurements from height (stadiometer) and weight (callibrated scales). SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1) Perceptions of physical fitness & fitness testing: using a questionnaire (students & teachers). The questionnaire is a purpose designed survey assessing participants thoughts and feelings about physical fitness and fitness testing. Demographic information will also be collected. 1) Physical Activity will be assessed using at least 5 days of pedometery (4 week days and 1 weekend day) INCLUSION CRITERIA: Stage 3 Primary School Children (year 5 & 6).