Technology-enhanced Quality Physical Education Impacting Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity And Cardiorespiratory Fitness

The exploration of technology-enhanced quality physical education (QPE) intervention to improve moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) engagement and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is crucial for children’s health. PURPOSE: This study examined 1) the effectiveness of a 12-week Smart-QPE intervention in real-time objective measures of MVPA time during PE lessons; 2) the effects of Smart-QPE on CRF over time; and 3) the relationship between time spent in MVPA during QPE lessons and CRF. METHODS: 335 fourth- and sixth-grade students (mean age = 9.98, SD = 0.88) at seven elementary schools and one middle school voluntarily participated in this single-group within-subject study. Teachers received training to integrate tablet software into teaching QPE lessons by two experienced PE educators. Students’ CRF was assessed via the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Respiratory (PACER) test before and after the intervention. During the 12-week Smart-QPE period, students wore heart rate sensors synced to the software to track real-time measures of MVPA% during the QPE lessons. RESULTS: Analysis of 295 Smart-QPE lessons showed students engaged in MVPA for 58.06% of PE time on average, exceeding a key indicator of 50% of MVPA in a QPE lesson. A paired-sample t-test revealed that students scored significantly higher in PACER test from baseline to the post-test (t = -11.25, p < .001). A bivariate correlation coefficient indicated that the post-test PACER score was positively associated with the number of Smart-QPE lessons (r = 0.26, p < 0.01) and MVPA% during a QPE lesson (r = 0.11, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Among 295 Smart-QPE lessons, students, on average, spent more than half of the PE class time engaging in MVPA. A high level of MVPA engagement in QPE lessons significantly improved their CRF. More Smart-QPE lessons further enhanced students’ CRF, indicating that Smart-QPE is effective in improving children’s physical fitness and CRF. Supported by: Funding for this study was received from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund.