Live Group Fitness Classes Instructed By Youth Reduce Children’s Perceptions Of Tiredness

The current exercise guidelines recommend that children and youth, 5-17 years of age, accumulate 60 minutes per day of moderate intensity physical activity. Ideally, vigorous intensity activities are also incorporated to strengthen muscle and bone. Our past research highlights many of the reasons why group fitness is an ideal way to meet the exercise guidelines for adults - such as greater levels of individual enjoyment and satisfaction. In addition, group fitness yields superior intention to return which stimulates higher adherence. Peer instruction in child and youth populations may be another strategy to enhance regular participation. Previous studies focused on collaborative teaching in physical education demonstrated a more effective and dynamic experience that fosters adherence. Youth-to-youth instruction is a similar design where teens age 16-18 years teach children 9-12 years. PURPOSE: The aim of the current study is to compare the physiological intensity and psychological perceptions of live (youth instructed) and virtual (taped classes with multiple instructors of varying ages) classes in children. We hypothesize that live, youth instructed classes will have greater cardiovascular intensity as well as a higher rating of fun and a lower rating of tiredness. METHODS: Eighteen children between 8-10 years (mean 9 years, 13 boys, 5 girls), recorded their exercise intensity with a Fitbit during the same Born to Move group classes (3 live, 3 virtual) on consecutive weeks. The program incorporates music, movement, and games, with age-appropriate moderate to vigorous intensity activities. Following each session, the children completed an online survey to evaluate their perceptions of fun and tiredness. RESULTS: Contrary to our hypothesis, mean class intensity and rating of fun did not differ between the live and virtual formats. However, the children felt more tired after the virtual session (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Youth instructed live and virtual group fitness formats are both viable options for physical activity in children. Live, youth instructed classes are ideal to reduce psychological perceptions of tiredness.