Effects of an Active Break Program at Primary School

Effects of an Active Break Program at School on Physical Activity and On-task Behavior in Children From 6 to 12 Years Old

The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of an active break program at school on physical activity levels and enjoyment, and on-task behavior in children.

The protocol will include third and fourth-grade students (children aged 8 to 10 years) from elementary schools in the Valparaíso Region, Chile. Four school classes from two schools (intervention and control school) will be included. The intervention school will carry out the active break program, ACTIVA-MENTE This program consists of the application of a 4-and-a-half-minute video with moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity. These breaks will take place 6 times a day in classes for 6 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Schoolchildren aged 8 to 10 years old (third to fourth grade of primary education).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children with school attendance lower than 90 per cent (excluded from data analysis).
• Any medical condition that impedes physical activity breaks.