Effects of Intervention “Hopsport Brain Breaks” Program on Physical Fitness and Sedentary Behaviour in Primary School

Abstract

Background. Sedentary behaviour in children raise concern as the majority of children do not meet the health-
related level of physical activity (PA) which is closely related with their physical fitness (PF). Digital facilities may
help to solve the problem. Hypothesis. After the intervention “HOPSport Brain Breaks” physical fitness improves
and sedentary behaviour decreases. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of “HOPSport Brain Breaks” video
exercise intervention program on physical fitness and sedentary behaviour in a primary school.
Methods. The study included 113 primary schoolchildren from grades 1–4, among them there were 62 children
in the experimental group and 51 in the control group (Mean age = 8.24, SD = 1.10). PF was assessed using the
test battery (Fjortoft, Pedersen, Sigmundsson, & Vereijken, 2011) pre- and post-intervention. Also passivity was
measured twice using four questions from “Health Behaviour of School Children” questionnaire. The experimental
group received Brain Breaks intervention every school day for three months in 5–9 min sessions during the breaks.  
Results. After  three  months  physical  fitness  (PF)  did  not  improve,  but  sedentary  behaviour  reduced  in  the
experimental group compared to the controls (p < .05).
Conclusions.  The  results  have  shown  that  fun  and  enjoyment,  which  are  the  background  of  Brain  Breaks
intervention,  were  important  factors  in  reducing  sedentary  behaviour.  Studies  also  show  that  the  level  of  PA  is
proportionally higher when children are given the opportunity to play active games and experience fun (Wickel et
al., 2007). It may be concluded that Brain Breaks intervention program contributes to physical health of primary  schoolchildren.

Keywords: primary schoolchildren, physical fitness, sedentary behaviour.