@article{10.22454/FamMed.2023.976789,
author = {Mainous, Arch G. and Essa, Jasmine R. and Sauer, Sean and Bennett, Rachel and Keck, Sean and Jo, Ara},
title = {The Daily Mile: The Impact of an Elementary School-Based Exercise Program on Pulmonary Function },
journal = {Family Medicine},
volume = {55},
number = {10},
year = {2023},
month = {11},
pages = {677-679},
doi = {10.22454/FamMed.2023.976789},
abstract = {Background and Objectives: Implementing a structured activity to encourage exercise in children may be a strategy with benefits. We evaluated pulmonary function in elementary school children participating in a school-based exercise program called The Daily Mile.
Methods: During the fall semester, we implemented The Daily Mile program in one elementary school and compared pulmonary function in children in the intervention school pre- and postintervention to children in a control school in the same community. The primary outcomes were forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1% (the FEV1/FVC ratio).
Results: The children in the control school showed no significant change in FEV1% during the semester (P=.06). On the other hand, children in the intervention school showed a significant improvement in FEV1% during the same semester (P=.001). This effect was consistent even when stratifying by asthma and sports participation.
Conclusions: The Daily Mile has benefits for pulmonary function in children. Although family physicians should continue to encourage their patients to have a healthy lifestyle, a more effective approach may be to encourage schools to adopt a program that teachers oversee and administer in a structured way.},
URL = {https://journals.stfm.org//familymedicine/2023/november-december/mainous-0085/},
eprint = {https://journals.stfm.org//media/xqxpyzxg/mainous0085docx-2023-11-03-18-19.pdf},
}