Feasibility of breaking up sitting time in mainstream and special schools with a cognitively challenging motor task

(整期优先)网络出版时间:2019-02-12
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Background:Childrenspend70%oftheschooldaysittinginclass.Classroom-basedactivebreakscanbenefitchildren’sphysicalhealth,butifthebreaksarecognitivelydemanding(i.e.,combinephysicalexertionandmentalengagement),theymayalsoimprovefocusandcognitivefunctions.Teachersandstudentsplayacrucialroleinthesuccessfulimplementationofactivebreaks,andtheirperspectivesarecriticaltothefeasibilityofthesestrategies.Theaimofthisstudywastoassessthefeasibilityofimplementingacognitivelychallengingmotortaskasanactivebreakinmainstreamandspecialprimaryschools.Methods:Atotalof5teachersin2mainstreamschoolsand7teachersin1specialschool(attendedbychildrenwithneurodevelopmentaldisorders)attendeda20-mintrainingonhowtoimplementa4-mincognitivelychallengingactivebreak,beforeconductingafeasibilitytrial(twiceadayfor1week).Tounderstandinpidualperceptions,one-on-onesemistructuredinterviewswereconductedbeforeandafterthetrialwithteachers,andfocusgroupinterviewswereconductedwithtypicallydevelopingchildrenafterthetrial.Questionswerebasedonapredefinedframeworkforfeasibilitystudies.Allinterviewswereaudiorecorded,transcribedandanalyzedinNVivo11usingaframeworkapproach.Atotalof12teachers(11females;7between20and34yearsold)and34children(16girls;9.3±1.7years,mean±SD)participatedintheinterviews.Results:Inmainstreamschools,teachersviewedthecognitivelychallengingmotortaskasappropriateandpotentiallybeneficialforchildren’shealthandfocus.Childrenreportedenjoyingtheactivebreaks.Teachersinspecialschoolsviewedthetaskascomplexandpotentiallyfrustratingforchildren.Inbothschooltypes,children’sdisruptivebehaviorandlackoftimewereseenasthemainpotentialbarrierstoimplementation.Theuseofmusic,videos,visualcards,andsupportstaffwerenotedaspotentialfacilitators.Conclusion:Thecognitivelychallen