Effects of sedentary discontinuous intervention on physiological function and mental health of middle school students

Bibliographic Data

ID22069583
AuthorsWanjun Li (0000-0003-4707-4288, Xinjiang Normal University, corresponding author), Qiang Tang (0000-0003-2751-2455, Chongqing University of Education), X Yan (0000-0002-0233-056X, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching), Bingcai Yan (Qingdao University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume13
Pages1662196-1662196
Publication date2025-09-18
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2025.1662196
PMID41048303
OpenAlexW4414339933
LanguageEN
References cited40

Background To explore the effects of sedentary discontinuity on the physical and mental health of middle school students, and to provide reference for improving the health level of middle school students. Methods 180 junior high school students were included in this study. The study lasted for one school year. The experimental group added 4 times of 5-8 minutes of physical exercise between classes every day, while the control group arranged the physical exercise between classes independently. Body composition, blood pressure, heart rate variability, diopter and maximum oxygen intake (VO 2 max) were monitored before and after intervention, and the differences of each index between the two groups and before and after intervention were compared. Results Before intervention, there were no significant differences in body fat percentage (fat%), muscle mass, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), VO 2 max, heart rate variability and diopter between 2 groups ( P > 0.05). After one academic year of exercise intervention, fat%, SBP, DBP and diopter of the experimental group were lower than those of the control group. VO 2 max, skeletal muscle mass, RR interval standard deviation (SDNN), root mean square (RMSSD) of the difference between adjacent RR intervals, low-band area (LF) of the area under HRV curve, high-band area (HF) of the area under HRV curve, TP, and sympathetic/vagal balance index (LF/HF) of the experimental group were all higher than those of the control group ( P < 0.05). Significant improvements were observed in learning burnout, depression levels, and peer relationships following the intervention. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that sedentary intermittent intervention can effectively improve the physical health level of adolescents and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Schools should actively carry out physical exercise during recess to help students grow up healthily

Mental health · Physical activity · Physical exercise · Sedentary behavior · Sedentary lifestyle · Health and Wellbeing Research · Ophthalmology and Visual Health Research · Physical Education and Training Studies

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