After-School Program Impact on Physical Activity and Fitness: A Meta-Analysis

This American Journal of Preventive Medicine paper is a meta-analysis of after-school programs for children under 18, taking place between 1980 and 2008, which incorporated physical activity into their curricula.

The analysis includes 11 after-school programs, eight of which measured increases in physical activity and fitness in their participants. These programs were associated with increased physical fitness and health. While limited in scope, the study is a starting point for other studies on the subject. The full article requires a subscription, but the abstract can be accessed for free.

Access the abstract.