Daily physical education programs for children in primary school do not guarantee more physically fit adults, says a new study in the latest issue of the American Journal of Human Biology.
The study, co-authored by Professor Emeritus Roy Shephard of the University of Toronto's Faculty of Physical Education and Health, found that children who had a specially designed daily activity program in Grades 1 to 6 showed no advantages in aerobic fitness 20 years later over adults of the same age who were not in the program. This finding, Shephard says, emphasizes the need for programs to continue throughout the adolescent years and for physical educators to focus on developing lasting skills and attitudes. "A well-designed, regular program in primary school with long-term goals in mind can increase lifelong involvement in physical activity, which is critical for health."
The study compares men and women who were in the daily program as children with those in a one-day-per-week program. Researchers measured fitness indicators such as strength, cardiovascular function, cholesterol levels and percentage of body fat as well as current activity levels and lifestyle. The study follows up one in the early 1980s that examined the immediate impact of daily physical activity on children.
One of the advantages demonstrated by adults from the daily program was on a balance test, showing that early training has residual effects on some motor functions. Researchers also found that females from the daily program had greater physical activity habits as adults. The study was conducted with researchers at the Université du Québec á Trois-Rivières and funded by the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute.
Journal
American Journal of Human Biology