A new research has disclosed that structured physical activity programme at school can perk up children's strength and lessen body fat.

Scientists in Switzerland examined 540 seven and 11-year-olds in 15 schools. Over nine months, pupils randomly allocated to an intervention group underwent a physical activity programme designed by experts.

This comprised structuring their subsisting three physical education lessons and adding two additional lessons a week.

They were also given daily short activity breaks and physical activity homework. Students randomly allocated to a control group continued to obtain their subsisting three lessons only.

Scientists reported a relative decrease in body fat, bettered aerobic fitness, superior levels of in-school physical activity, slighter increases or larger diminutions in BMI and lower cardiovascular threat in the intervention group. But, overall daily physical activity and gratification did not vary considerably.

90% of the kids and 70% of the tutors enjoyed the five physical education lessons and needed them to continue.

The scientists attribute the victory of the program to its use of experts, attractiveness to both kids and tutors, strength, and integration into the school curriculum.

They said that the research provides a practical method of carrying out a physical activity programme in schools.

This is vital since childhood obesity and heart disease are increasingly common, and many kids are not susceptible to programmes directed at escalating out-of-school physical activity, said a release of the British Medical Journal.

As well as bettering the health and fitness of kids, such programmes can perk up health in later life by trimming down cardiovascular and other diseases, they concluded. (With Input from Agencies)