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Active Mile Daily Track
Active Mile Daily Track is a school-based running and walking programme, where children complete 15 minutes of exercise every day in the outdoors. Children run or jog around a school playground using a dedicated ‘Daily Mile’ track and the initiative is widely implemented across the UK. It is hoped that this initiative will increase children’s levels of MVPA, reduce their sedentary time and improve fitness. Additional anecdotally reported benefits such as improved behaviour and cognitive functioning are also being investigated.
A randomised controlled trial was undertaken to assess the impact of introducing The Daily Mile on key health outcomes, including body composition and fitness. This study was conducted in schools within a single local authority area to limit any differences between the participating primary schools which may have influenced outcome measurements. Teachers at eligible schools were randomly allocated to either introduce The Daily Mile or remain sedentary (control group). Initial information sessions were delivered in all recruited schools to inform teachers of the aim and purpose of the study. Teachers then voluntary decided to either implement The Daily Mile or decline participation in the study.
The Social Benefits of Group Daily Active Mile Tracking
Results: The Daily Mile significantly increased MVPA and lowered sedentary time in the intervention school group. Significant improvements in 6-min run test results and standing long jump performance were seen in the experimental group at post-test compared to baseline. Despite this, there was no difference between the two groups in BMI and waist-to-height ratio.
Economic analyses indicated that The Daily Mile is highly cost-effective in girls with an ICER of PS2,492 per QALY and a 97% probability of being cost-effective at the UK threshold of £20,000 per QALY. Boys, however, incurred a loss in QALYs, which was not statistically significant.
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