Authors

• Hankonen, Nelli (University of Helsinki. Faculty of Social Sciences)
• Haukkala, Ari (University of Helsinki)

Keywords

anthropometric data, exercise (physical activity), motivation, personality traits, physical activities, sports participation, students, vocational education institutions

Abstract

The intervention study investigated the effectiveness of the 'Let's Move It' programme aiming to increase physical activity (PA) and reduce sedentary behaviour (SB) among students in vocational schools. It was conducted as a cluster-randomised parallel group trial. This dataset consists of 1) students' responses from four self-report surveys conducted over the study period, 2) accelerometer data on the students' moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary time and breaks in sedentary time measured during three seven-day periods over the study period, 3) the students' body composition measurements made at the beginning and end of the study period, and 4) physical activity diary data. The main themes in the surveys were the students' PA habits and motivation, SB habits, well-being, health behaviour, health status, and personality. The research was funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture (OKM/81/626/2014) and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (201310238).

Students were divided into control and intervention groups. The intervention group participated in a variety of measures, such as six Let's Move It group sessions and pause exercises. They also had a possibility to use gym balls and were provided with online material and a workbook. Teachers in the schools played an active role and data were also collected from them (see FSD3446).

The four online questionnaire surveys mainly repeat the same questions. Health status was surveyed with questions on health issues, stress, smoking, eating and sleeping. Other questions charted the amount and kind of physical activity, motivation and barriers for taking exercise, measures taken for enhancing the PA motivation, future PA intentions, perceived PA impact, sedentary behaviour (sitting) and motivation for reducing SB. The surveys were conducted before the start of the programme (initial survey), and then three weeks, six weeks and 14 months after the start of the programme (intervention surveys).

Accelerometer data on MVPA, sedentary time and breaks in sedentary time were collected through students wearing an accelerometer (3-axis Hookie AM 20) fixed to an elastic belt and placed on their hip for seven consecutive days during waking hours, except during shower and other water activities. There were three such seven-day periods: before the start of the programme, at the end of the programme and six months after the end of the programme. The students also filled in paper questionnaires daily (physical activity diaries) during those seven-day periods, specifying whether they were mainly at school, working or in practical training, or at home that day, whether they had any illnesses or injuries preventing physical activity or were engaged in water activities.

Body composition measurements were made with TANITA bioimpedance measurement device (Tanita scale measurements) at two time points: before the start of the programme and six months after the end of the programme. The measurements include weight, height, body fat, body fat mass, body fat-free mass, body mass index (BMI), basal metabolic rate, total body water, bone mass, impedance, visceral fat, metabolic age, muscle mass, ECW, ICW, as well as specific measurements for torso and right and left legs and arms.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, year of birth, study year, field of study, whether worked during studies, and parents' education.