'The MOVE'-study: Short physical activity breaks during ordinary lectures in upper secondary school; A 25-week randomised controlled trial.
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN11783541 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN11783541 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | Nil known |
| Sponsor | Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences |
| Funder | Sparebankstiftelsen DNB |
- Submission date
- 09/12/2023
- Registration date
- 14/12/2023
- Last edited
- 13/12/2023
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Not Specified
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
The overall aim of this 25-week randomised interventional study is to evaluate the feasibility and adherence of short pupil-led physical activity breaks in upper secondary school. Furthermore, we want to assess whether the measure contributes to increasing the pupils' general level of physical activity, which can potentially have positive effects on both physical fitness, ability to concentrate, well-being, learning behavior and class climate.
Briefly, 'MOVE'-breaks are short physical activity sessions of 6-7 minutes duration implemented as 'breaks' in regular 90-minute lectures. The 'MOVE'-breaks concept is thought to be linked to the interdisciplinary competence goal Public Health and Life Management, as well as to specific competence goals in physical education.
Who can participate?
The main target group for the project is 1st year pupils (VG1).
What does the study involve?
At baseline and at 25-week follow-up, both the intervention- and control groups will carry out physical fitness tests (aerobic fitness, muscle strength, postural balance and flexibility), an electronic questionnaire, as well as objective measurements of physical activity level. During the intervention period, heart rate measurements as well as an attention test will be carried out in the intervention groups linked to a specific ‘MOVE’-break.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The measure can potentially contribute to increasing the pupils' level of physical activity, as well as having beneficial effects on physical fitness and attention/concentration, well-being, learning behavior and the classroom climate. Participating in the study in question involves no greater risk of injury than would apply to participation in an ordinary physical education class.
Where is the study run from?
Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (Norway)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2022 to May 2024
Who is funding the study?
Savings Bank Foundation DNB (Norway)
Who is the main contact?
Associate Professor Svein Barene, svein.barene@inn.no
Contact information
Public, Scientific, Principal investigator
Postboks 400
Elverum
2418
Norway
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-5381-6017 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +47 62430319 |
| svein.barene@inn.no |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Interventional randomized controlled study |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Participant information sheet | 44731 PIS_MOVE25.pdf |
| Scientific title | 'The MOVE'-study: An evaluation of the implementation of short physical activity breaks led by pupils during ordinary lectures in upper secondary school; A 25-week randomised controlled trial. |
| Study acronym | MOVE25 |
| Study objectives | The overall aim of the current intervention study is to assess the feasibility and adherence of short pupil-led physical activity breaks in upper secondary school after adjustments to design and content based on experiences from a 12-week pilot. Furthermore, we want to evaluate whether the measure can contribute to increasing the pupils' level of physical activity, as well as whether it can affect physical fitness, attention/concentration, well-being, learning behavior and the classroom climate. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 23/12/2022, Research Ethics Commitee at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (PO Box 400, Elverum, 2418, Norway; +47 61288277; anne.lofthus@inn.no), ref: 21/01894 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Short physical activity breaks led by pupils during ordinary lectures in upper secondary school |
| Intervention | The randomisation was made by lot by blinded staff, i.e. classes were assigned to either an intervention group or a control group (3:1-ratio). At each of the three schools consisting of classes (n=25-30) with specialization in general studies, the school management initially made a selection of four classes/groups with the most homogeneous characteristics possible. The selection was conducted by drawing from two boxes: i) the two different groups (the intervention group or the control group) and ii) the four classes/groups (1, 2, 3 or 4). The process was initiated by drawing one group from box 1, followed by drawing one class/group from box 2. The next draw from box 2 was consequently allocated to the remaining group in box 1. This process was repeated until all the classes had been assigned to either an intervention group or the control group. At the two schools that consist of vocational study programs with smaller class sizes (n=12-17), stratification was carried out in collaboration with the school management to ensure as homogeneous classes/groups as possible matched on gender, number and subject area, respectively, which were then distributed in four separate boxes (box A, B, C or D). The selection was initiated by drawing a group from box 1 (intervention group (IG) 1, IG2, IG3 or the control group), followed by drawing a class/group from one of the A-D-boxes. This process was repeated until all classes had been distributed equally to each of the 3 intervention groups and the control group. At baseline and at follow-up, both the intervention- and the control groups will carry out physical fitness tests (aerobic fitness, muscle strength, postural balance and flexibility), an electronic questionnaire, as well as objective measurements of physical activity level. In the intervention groups, concentration-/attention tests and heart rate measurements will be carried out during 'MOVE'-breaks. Finally, a sample of pupils from the intervention groups will be invited to participate in focus group interviews in the follow-up. During the intervention period, the intervention groups will be encouraged to carry out a minimum of 2 x 6-7 minute daily 'MOVE'-breaks during ordinary classroom sessions. Based on focus group interviews with pupils following the pilot study, as well as observations made by the researchers during the pilot study, it became clear that the original ambition that 'MOVE' breaks should be included as a mandatory part of the competence goals in physical education through alternating pupil-led sessions, did not work as intended. Despite 3 x 1-hour introduction/training periods before the intervention period led by a PE teacher, the pupils generally experienced a low degree of ownership and confidence in their role as activity leaders. This often resulted in delayed start-up, as well as poor quality execution of the 'MOVE' breaks. The pilot study also revealed that weekly registrations/reports of completed 'MOVE' breaks, and the content of these, were not carried out as intended, which makes it challenging to interpret any findings afterwards. Based on the above mentioned, we will make the following adjustments to the study design in the current intervention: - recruitment of 2-3 dedicated pupil ambassadors in each intervention group/class, who will undergo an introductory course and who will be followed up during the entire intervention period - development of intuitive wall posters with varied exercises/activities made available in the intervention groups' classrooms, as well as introduction of a specific selection of digital resources - to ensure better standardization of the intervention content, as well as to be able to better assess the pupils' preferences related to exercises/activities, the intervention design will be changed from a 1:1 to a 3:1-ratio. The 3 intervention groups/classes will be assigned one of the following physical activity concepts: i) strength training, ii) endurance training or iii) combination of strength and endurance - a more clear and targeted involvement process with involved teachers and principals ahead of the intervention period to establish ownership and anchor the project. - development of an intuitive and user-friendly digital portal where responsible teachers continuously register completed 'MOVE'-breaks and its contents. |
| Intervention type | Mixed |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Feasibility and sustainability of the measure assessed through the pupils' adherence and subjective experiences of both pupils and teachers at 25-week follow-up. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Attention/concentration measured using Eriksen Flanker test and Stroop test at baseline and 25-week follow-up. |
| Completion date | 30/05/2024 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Learner/student |
|---|---|
| Age group | Child |
| Lower age limit | 16 Years |
| Upper age limit | 21 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 480 |
| Total final enrolment | 510 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1st year pupils in upper secondary school, i.e. aged 16 - 17 years |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Specific disabilities that make participation impossible 2. Specific illnesses that can cause health hazards |
| Date of first enrolment | 15/08/2023 |
| Date of final enrolment | 14/09/2023 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Norway
Study participating centre
Sarpsborg
1702
Norway
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study will be available upon request from Svein Barene, svein.barene@inn.no. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | 13/12/2023 | No | Yes | ||
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Study website | Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Additional files
- 44731 PIS_MOVE25.pdf
- Participant information sheet
Editorial Notes
13/12/2023: Trial's existence confirmed by Research Ethics Commitee at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences.
