The Effects of a Multicomponent Social Support Intervention on Physical Fitness and Exercise Attitude in Children: A 12-Week Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Purpose: The current study is intended to assess the effects of a multicomponent social support intervention program on grip strength, sprinting, jumping, agility, flexibility, core strength and exercise attitude among children over a period of twelve weeks. Method: This study followed a randomized parallel design in which 366 children (age: 9.35 ± 1.12 years) in the 3rd–5th grade at an elementary school in China were allocated to an intervention group (n = 183) or a control group (n = 183). Participants were assessed twice (baseline and postintervention) for the following tests: (i) grip strength, (ii) 50 m dash, (iii) rope skipping, (iv) sit-ups, (v) sit-and-reach, and (vi) exercise attitude. The intervention group received the “Exercise Methods and Wellness Knowledge Guide (EMWKG)” leaflet three times a week. The control group was not required to make any changes. Results: Significant increases in pre–post left-hand grip strength (Cohen’s d = 0.10, p < 0.001), right-hand grip strength (Cohen’s d = 0.09, p < 0.001), and behavioral intention (Cohen’s d = 0.17, p < 0.01) were observed in the intervention group. Students in the control group showed significant decreases in three indicators: both 50 m (Cohen’s d = 0.19, p < 0.01) and sit-ups (Cohen’s d = 0.14, p < 0.05) as well as sit-and-reach (Cohen’s d = 0.46, p < 0.001). Significant differences (p < 0.001) were found between the two groups in right-hand grip strength (F = 7.109, ηp2 = 0.020), sit-and-reach (F = 11.255, ηp2 = 0.031), and subjective standards (F = 15.461, ηp2 = 0.043). A comparison of the post hoc test results showed that the intervention group scored 0.519 kg (95% CI: 0.136–0.901, Cohen’s d = 0.27), 0.944 cm (95% CI: 0.0391–1.497, Cohen’s d = 0.35), and 2.535 points (95% CI: 1.267–3.803, Cohen’s d = 0.41) higher than the control group in right-hand grip strength, sit-and-reach, and subjective standards, respectively. Conclusion: This combined social support theory-based intervention was effective in improving exercise attitude and fitness among children in 12 weeks.