LONDON: The Daily Mile – a popular initiative in the UK which involves children taking a 15-minute break from class to do physical activity – improves fitness, body composition and activity levels in school students, a study has found.
Researchers from University of Stirling and University of Edinburgh in the UK said that policymakers should consider introducing The Daily Mile to improve the health and fitness of school children around the world.
The findings indicate The Daily Mile can help combat global problems such as low physical activity, high sedentary behaviour, declining fitness levels and high levels of obesity.
“Our research observed positive changes in children who participated in The Daily Mile intervention, compared to our control school where the scheme was not introduced,” said Colin Moran from University of Stirling.
“It suggests that The Daily Mile is a worthwhile intervention to introduce in schools and that it should be considered for inclusion in Government policy, both at home and abroad,” Moran said. The Daily Mile was founded in February 2012 by Elaine Wyllie, the then headteacher of St Ninians Primary School in Stirling, to improve the fitness of her pupils.
Children are encouraged to run, jog or walk around their school grounds during a 15-minute break from class, which is in addition to normal intervals and physical education lessons.
Following the scheme’s success, the Scottish Government has outlined its desire for Scotland to become the first Daily Mile nation, with around half of the country’s primary schools now implementing the approach. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
