Symposium AIESEP 2018
The “ObLoMoV” project: High-Intensity Interval Exercises (HIIE) as a new, enjoyable, time-efficient, and game-based intervention interacts with theatrical techniques to tackle and prevent physical inactivity among young students aged 11-13 years old.
Nowadays preteens have reached worldwide alarming levels of physical inactivity causing obesity and related illnesses [1] and the “sport drop-out” increases exponentially from 13 to 15 years.
To tackle inactivity among preteens, the ObLoMoV project proposes a new pedagogic methodology based on innovative high-intensity interval exercises (HIIEs) mixed with theatrical techniques. Theatre and sport have a lot in common: both disciplines focus on movement as the natural impulse that leads human beings towards their evolution. In sport like in theatre, movement is the essential act of narration.
Unlike adults, children’s movements are highly intermittent in nature [2] and this kind of high-intensity interval physical activity has recently been identified as a powerful and time-efficient health vehicle, even more than the traditional moderate-intensity aerobic training [3]. Moreover, preteens’ level of enjoyment is a strong predictor of their constant participation in physical activity and, therefore, interventions must also enhance fun, enjoyment and happiness. [4]
The Oblomov methodology therefore is focused on Short, High-intensity, Enjoyable, Flexible, and Time-efficient training sessions each composed of six repetitions of two minutes of physical work (6 x 2 minutes) with 2 minutes rest from one repetition to another. They are created within a short theatre story produced by a 20-hour lab (20 1-hour sessions).
This methodology offers the opportunity to look at personal habits, get inspired to change the bad ones and make space for something new or different. It also stimulates personal awareness through creativity, fun and imagination and supports participants in accepting the necessary changes for a healthy life style. The theatrical tool serves the purpose of creating the most effective conditions to implement the sportive training. Training the use of imagination as much as the body, helps the look at and improve aspect of personality especially those more difficult to be seen or accepted.
References.
Lobstein T, Jackson-Leach R, Moodie ML, et al. (2015). Child and adolescent obesity: part of a bigger picture. Lancet. 385:2510-2520.
Howe CA, Freedson PS, Feldman HA, Osganian SK. (2010). Energy Expenditure and Enjoyment of Common Children’s Games in a Simulated Free-Play Environment. Journal of Pediatrics. 157:936-942.
Eddolls WTB, McNarry MA, Stratton G, Winn CON, Mackintosh KA. (2017). High-Intensity Interval Training Interventions in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review. Sports Med. [Epub ahead of print].
Sebire SJ, Jago R, Fox KR, Edwards MJ, Thompson JL. (2013). Testing a self-determination theory model of children’s physical activity motivation: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity. 10:111.
