Effect of life skills training on physical activity patterns amongst school adolescents in Delhi: a non-randomized interventional study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Effect of life skills on physical activity behavior of adolescents is little explored. Objective: To assess impact of life-skills training on the level of physical activity amongst adolescents. Methods: A nonrandomized interventional study with a control group. All students studying in Class IX and XI of two schools in Delhi were included. Data was collected at baseline, 15 days and 3 months after the life-skills training. Two life-skills training sessions were conducted for each standard following collection of baseline data. Results: There were 180 students in the intervention and 183 students in the control group. A significant increase was noted in the level of light-moderate, vigorous physical activity, and stretching and strengthening exercises (p<0.001) in an intervention group over the period of 3 months following the training. The number of students enrolled in physical education classes also increased. Conclusions: A skills-based approach helped to improve the level of physical activity amongst the school adolescents.