Exploration of health outcomes among adolescent peer leaders of a school based physical activity intervention: baseline data

Abstract Purpose Low physical activity (PA) levels among adolescents emphasises the need for PA interventions. School-based interventions that involve peer leaders (PL) such as the second-level Active School Flag (SLASF) program may be a useful way to encourage PA among adolescents. However, it is unclear what effect being a peer leader of a PA intervention has on PL physical, social and mental health outcomes. This study aims to explore PL health outcomes at the initial stages of peer leading a PA intervention. Methods Quasi-experimental research design was used to test if being PL provides physical, social and mental health benefits in comparison to non-PL (control). In Autumn 2022, senior students in Irish second level schools in the second year of the SLASF program were recruited. Students completed a self-report questionnaire, consisting of moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) levels (PACE+), wellbeing (WHO5) and social connectedness. Social connectedness was assessed using three items and grouped into good social connectedness (yes to all three) or poor social connectedness. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS statistics. To compare PL of the SLASF program and non-PL students, a Chi-Square test of Association was used to explore social connectedness. Wellbeing and average number of days per week of MVPA was not normally distributed (p < 0.05), therefore a Mann-Whitney U Test compared groups. Results Seven schools, 277 adolescents (63.5% male) aged 15-16 years completed the online questionnaire, 49% were in the PL group and 51% in non-PL group. At baseline, no differences existed in median wellbeing scores (Mdn=21.0) (U = 7750.500, Z= -0.953, p = 0.341) and days of MVPA per a week (Mdn=4.5) (U = 7320.500, Z= -0.105, p = 0.916) between the PL and non-PL group. Although more students in the PL group (68%) had good social connectedness compared to non-PL group (58%) the differences were not statistically significant (X2(1) > = 1.724, p = 0.189). Conclusions At the initial stages of peers leading a PA intervention, no statistically significant differences in social and mental health outcomes were observed. Future research could examine health outcomes of PL over the course of the peer led physical activity intervention. Support/Funding Source Mayo Educaton Centre.