Long-term studies of physical activity in children - the Trois Rivieres experience

The potential for enhancing physical and mental development through regular daily classroom activity is reviewed with specific reference to the controlled trial undertaken at Trois Rivieres. It has been shown that endurance activity of the type possible in a primary school setting leads to an increase of aerobic power, muscular strength, and physical performance without any immediate effect upon body dimensions. While time is easily lost in classroom activity programs, a nominal hour of such instruction is sufficient to develop fitness if sustained over a period of several years. The allocation of curricular time is well justified because psychomotor development is enhanced, and perhaps for this reason, marks for a number of academic subjects are improved. There is little immediate effect upon the health of the children concerned, and a more extended study is needed to determine whether an enhanced primary program will encourage a healthy lifestyle as an adult.