Cited by 350Physical Activity and HealthYouth Development and Social SupportObesity, Physical Activity, Diet

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 49 of the 49 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

After-School Program Impact on Physical Activity and Fitness

Beets, Michael W., Beighle, Aaron, Erwin, Heather E., Huberty, Jennifer L.·2009·American Journal of Preventive Medicine

DOI 10.1016/j.amepre.2009.01.033

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Abstract

Context The majority of children do not participate in sufficient amounts of daily, health-enhancing physical activity. One strategy to increase activity is to promote it within the after-school setting. Although promising, the effectiveness of this strategy is unclear. A systematic review was performed summarizing the research conducted to date regarding the effectiveness of after-school programs in increasing physical activity.Evidence acquisition Databases, journals, and review articles were searched for articles published between 1980 and February 2008. Meta-analysis was conducted during July of 2008. Included articles had the following characteristics: findings specific to an after-school intervention in the school setting; subjects aged <or=18 years; an intervention component designed to promote physical activity; outcome measures of physical activity, related constructs, and/or physical fitness. Study outcomes were distilled into six domains: physical activity, physical fitness, body composition, blood lipids, psychosocial constructs, and sedentary activities. Effect sizes (Hedge's g) were calculated within and across studies for each domain, separately.Evidence synthesis Of the 797 articles found, 13 unique articles describing findings from 11 after-school interventions were reviewed. Although physical activity was a primary component of all the tested interventions, only eight studies measured physical activity. From the six domains, positive effect sizes were demonstrated for physical activity (0.44 [95% CI=0.28-0.60]); physical fitness (0.16 [95% CI=0.01-0.30]); body composition (0.07 [95% CI=0.03-0.12]); and blood lipids (0.20 [95% CI=0.06-0.33]).Conclusions The limited evidence suggests that after-school programs can improve physical activity levels and other health-related aspects. Additional studies are required that provide greater attention to theoretical rationale, levels of implementation, and measures of physical activity within and outside the intervention.

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Authors: Beets, M. W., Beighle, A., Erwin, H. E., & Huberty, J. L.
Affiliations: University of South Carolina (US)
University of Kentucky (US)
University of Nebraska at Omaha (US)
Corresponding author: Beets, Michael W.
ORCID: Beets, Michael W.
Erwin, Heather E.
Huberty, Jennifer L.
Venue: American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2009-06
Volume: 36
Issue: 6
Pages: 527-537
ISSN: 0749-3797 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2009.01.033
OpenAlex: W2091190118
Cited by: 350
References: 49
Citations by year: 2026: 5 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 31 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 30 · 2014: 34 · 2013: 25 · 2012: 32
FWCI: 2.16
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: American Journal of Preventive Medicine (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Youth Development and Social Support
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
Keywords: after-school programs, physical activity, physical fitness, children, adolescents, body composition, serum lipids, sedentary behavior, psychosocial outcomes, school-based intervention, health promotion
MeSH terms: Adolescent, Body Composition, Child, Female, Health Promotion, Humans, Lipids, Male, Physical Fitness, Schools, United States, Health Behavior, Exercise

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After-School Program Impact on Physical Activity and Fitness

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