Time-efficient intervention to improve older adolescents’ cardiorespiratory fitness: findings from the ‘Burn 2 Learn’ cluster randomised controlled trial

• Published in: British journal of sports medicine Vol. 55; no. 13; pp. 751 - 758
• Main Authors: Lubans, David R, Smith, Jordan J, Eather, Narelle, Leahy, Angus A, Morgan, Philip J, Lonsdale, Chris, Plotnikoff, Ronald C, Nilsson, Michael, Kennedy, Sarah G, Holliday, Elizabeth G, Weaver, Natasha, Noetel, Michael, Shigeta, Tatsuya T, Mavilidi, Myrto F, Valkenborghs, Sarah R, Gyawali, Prajwal, Walker, Frederick R, Costigan, Sarah A, Hillman, Charles H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.07.2021; BMJ Publishing Group
• Subjects: Body composition; Child development; Data collection; Exercise; Hair; Hormones; Intervention; Learning; Mental health; Original Research; Physical fitness; Schools; Smartphones; Students; Teachers; Teenagers; Australia; New South Wales Australia; intervention effectiveness; aerobic fitness; exercise; physical fitness; physical activity
• ISSN: 0306-3674; 1473-0480
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-103277

BackgroundCardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an important marker of current and future health status. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of a time-efficient school-based intervention on older adolescents’ CRF.MethodsTwo-arm cluster randomised controlled trial conducted in two cohorts (February 2018 to February 2019 and February 2019 to February 2020) in New South Wales, Australia. Participants (N=670, 44.6% women, 16.0±0.43 years) from 20 secondary schools: 10 schools (337 participants) were randomised to the Burn 2 Learn (B2L) intervention and 10 schools (333 participants) to the control. Teachers in schools allocated to the B2L intervention were provided with training, resources, and support to facilitate the delivery of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) activity breaks during curriculum time. Teachers and students in the control group continued their usual practice. The primary outcome was CRF (20 m multi-stage fitness test). Secondary outcomes were muscular fitness, physical activity, hair cortisol concentrations, mental health and cognitive function. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 months (primary end-point) and 12 months. Effects were estimated using mixed models accounting for clustering.ResultsWe observed a group-by-time effect for CRF (difference=4.1 laps, 95% CI 1.8 to 6.4) at the primary end-point (6 months), but not at 12 months. At 6 months, group-by-time effects were found for muscular fitness, steps during school hours and cortisol.ConclusionsImplementing HIIT during curricular time improved adolescents’ CRF and several secondary outcomes. Our findings suggest B2L is unlikely to be an effective approach unless teachers embed sessions within the school day.Trial registration numberAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618000293268).