An 11-week program of football exercises improves health experiences in schoolchildren

Knowledge about health is an important cornerstone in a child’s development of physical and psychosocial health.

Since 2016, around 25,000 pupils in years 4-6 in 86 Danish cities have taken part in the “11 for Health in Denmark” project, an 11-week exercise program and health education. offered to all schools in collaboration between the University of Southern Denmark and the Danish Football Association.

More than 3,000 of these pupils completed questionnaires before and after the program which aimed to test their knowledge of health and gain an understanding of their experiences of the 11-week program.

10 percent increase in health knowledge

The main article from this study, now published in the leading journal of sports science, is the British Journal of Sports Medicine, demonstrating that the program meets its key objectives:

“The children who participated increased their knowledge of health in the areas of diet, exercise, hygiene and well-being to a greater extent than the control group, which followed the originally planned lessons in the 11 weeks between the questionnaires. There was a difference between the groups of more than 7 percentage points for both boys and girls, and in several key health areas the difference was more than 10 percentage points, ”said postdoc Malte Nejst Larsen, lead author the article.

“It’s not new for children to learn better if they can link the learning to relevant activities, but such large-scale inspections are rarely carried out in real-world schools – and with such clear results, “he says.

Physical activity during coronavirus

The concept of “11 for Health” was developed long before coronavirus disease, but has been effective in addressing all current challenges in terms of health, fitness, physical activity, well-being and hygiene knowledge.

The latest results clearly show that it is possible to combine health learning with exercise that is fun, stimulating and inclusive for all children – including those who have very little of sports experience. A good example is the children doubling their knowledge of hand hygiene through the program.

This was explained by the project’s lead researcher Professor Peter Krustrup from the Department of Sport Science and Clinical Biomechanics at the University of Southern Denmark, who confirms high participation in the project. autumn 2020.

The researchers are also delighted that the Nordea Foundation (Nordea-fonden), which has been supporting the project since 2018, has extended its support until the summer of 2021. The project group currently seeking funding for an ambitious expansion of the concept. and a research study on the long-term effects of the idea.

Boys and girls love the project

The article also provides data on children’s perceptions of the program. These show with great confidence that the girls rate the program as highly as the boys (4 on a scale of 1-5), despite the fact that the girls have much less experience with it. football than the boys.

It’s great that ‘11 for Health ’has a broad potential to inspire and interest in football in all children, both boys and girls, beginners and experienced players. In fact, that’s what football is all about – involving everyone no matter what their history. And with the school program the next natural step, and important support for the clubs, is to get new players and bring them into the valuable communities within the football clubs. “

Bent Clausen, Vice President, Danish Football Association