Active school and its role in promoting health of younger school-age children

Background: A recent study has indicated a decline in the level of health-related fitness among school-age children. Active school offers and pursues various strategies to encourage children to engage in physical activity during the school day, with the objective of improving their behavioural, physical performance and literacy outcomes, among other benefits. The objective of the research was to examine the impact of a comprehensive movement programme implemented within a physically active school on the selected factors of general physical performance and posture as a manifestation of fitness in non-exercising pupils. The study employed a number of methodological approaches, including: A total of 25 school-age children, aged between six and seven years, participated in the study on a voluntary basis. The participants were divided into two groups, with six girls and seven boys in each. The pupils' physical fitness was evaluated through the administration of selected standardized tests, including the 4 x 10 m shuttle run, sit-ups in 60 seconds, standing long jump, bent-arm hangs, and a 20-metre multistage endurance shuttle run. The pupils’ posture was assessed and classified using the standardised Klein and Thomas method, modified by Mayer. The exercise programme was conducted over a six-month period. The intervention was implemented on two occasions per day, once during a break and once during a lesson in the form of an exercise break, five times per week, and once per week through an after-school activity for 45 minutes. The results of the study are as follows: In the study sample, there was a significant improvement in scores between the entry and exit points for both girls and boys in each test. A comparison of the sexes revealed that boys exhibited superior (p < 0.01) values in all the selected tests compared to girls. With regard to overall posture, we observed an improvement in both genders (p < 0.01), with no gender-based differences. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of this study confirm that the chosen tactic of progression of physical activity, the programme for non-exercising/inactive students of younger school age, was an effective way of improving the physical, health-related fitness and overall posture of the participants, as well as motivating and creating interest in physical activities. Keywords: Active school, Physical activity, Health-related fitness, Body posture, Pupils