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Effects of a school-based physical activity and micronutrient inter-vention on cardiorespiratory fitness, grip strength, and muscle mass in three different African countries (KaziAfya study)

Brügger, Janis. Effects of a school-based physical activity and micronutrient inter-vention on cardiorespiratory fitness, grip strength, and muscle mass in three different African countries (KaziAfya study). 2022, Master Thesis, University of Basel, Faculty of Medicine.

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Official URL: https://edoc.unibas.ch/89746/

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Abstract

Background:
Due to development and urbanization, physical activity (PA) levels have decreased in low- and middle-income countries. Physical inactivity is a risk factor for non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease. PA in childhood can contribute significantly to children's physical fitness and a healthy life in adulthood. It has also been shown that micronutrient deficiencies are still a major problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A multi-micronutrient supplement (MMNS) could also influence physical fitness in children. This master thesis aims to explore the effect of a school-based PA and MMNS intervention on the physical fitness parameters of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), grip strength (GS), and muscle mass (MM) within the KaziAfya study conducted in Côte d'Ivoire (CI), South Africa (SA), and Tanzania (TZ).
Methods:
Data from baseline and T2 measurements of the KaziAfya study were used for this master thesis. The samples included 265 children from CI (Taabo, 50.6% girls, M=8.6 ±1.5 years), 954 children from SA (Gqeberha, 48.3% girls, M=8.3 ±1.4 years), and 536 children from TZ (Ifakara, 53.7% girls, M=9.3 ±1.7 years). CRF was measured using the 20-m shuttle run test (VO2max), upper body strength using a GS test, and whole-body strength (MM) using bioimpedance analysis. After baseline assessment, classes in each school were assigned to one of four intervention arms: (i) PA + Placebo; (ii) MMNS; (iii) PA + MMNS; (iv) Placebo. After an intervention period, physical fitness tests were reassessed. Multiple linear regressions were performed to analyze intervention effects.
Results:
Overall, a decrease in VO2max (CI, SA & TZ) and an increase in GS (CI & TZ) and MM (CI, SA & TZ) were observed. Children in TZ achieved the highest values in VO2max, GS, and MM at measurement time T2, followed by children from CI and SA. Boys achieved higher values than girls in all outcome variables. For all outcomes, the difference between girls and boys was greatest in TZ. Different intervention groups were associated with CRF, GS, and MM in all countries, but a clear trend of which intervention would favour one of the outcomes could not be identified.
Conclusion:
Due to the divergent results of the multiple regressions, it cannot be answered whether the PA or MMNS intervention influenced CRF, GS, or MM in schoolchildren from CI, SA, and TZ. Although it is challenging to observe intervention effects, it is evident that the more urbanized areas (SA) showed the lowest values in all outcomes. In addition, schools must contribute to ensuring that schoolchildren can be active during school hours. Further research is needed regarding PA and MMNS interventions in such specific settings.
Advisors:Lang, Christin and Gerber, Markus
Faculties and Departments:03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Sport, Bewegung und Gesundheit > Bereich Sportwissenschaft > Sport und psychosoziale Gesundheit (Gerber)
UniBasel Contributors:Lang, Christin and Gerber, Markus
Item Type:Thesis
Thesis Subtype:Master Thesis
Thesis no:1
Thesis status:Complete
Last Modified:26 Aug 2022 04:30
Deposited On:25 Aug 2022 11:30

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