Health-related quality of life findings from the Faroe Islands FIT FIRST FOR ALL school-based physical activity study

Helgi Winther Olsen; Bára Berghamar Danielsen; Tórur Sjúrðarson; Søren Antoft; Peter  Krustrup; Malte Nejst Larsen; Magni Mohr; Annika H. Davidsen; May-Britt Skoradal

doi:10.3389/fspor.2025.1533723

Health-related quality of life findings from the Faroe Islands FIT FIRST FOR ALL school-based physical activity study

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Introduction: This study evaluated the FIT FIRST FOR ALL program’s effects on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among Faroese schoolchildren aged 7–16 years during a 10-week school-wide intervention.

Methods: A non-randomized controlled design included 360 pupils from an
intervention (INT, n = 179) and a control school (CON, n = 181). The INT group
participated in 3 weekly 40-minute physical activity sessions over 10 weeks.
HRQOL was assessed using KIDSCREEN-52, and changes were analyzed using
linear mixed-effects models.

Results: A significant Time × Group interaction (P = 0.002) showed a 7%
improvement in INT pupils’ physical well-being, particularly among boys (8%
increase, P < 0.001) and the youngest age group (7% increase, P = 0.006). No
significant changes were observed in other HRQOL dimensions.

Discussion: The FIT FIRST FOR ALL program improved physical well-being,
particularly among boys and younger age groups, showcasing its potential to
influence selected dimensions of HRQOL through structured school-based
physical activity. These findings suggest that tailoring the program to specific
age and gender groups could further strengthen its scalability and
effectiveness across diverse school settings.

Original language	English
Article number	1533723
Pages (from-to)	1
Number of pages	12
Journal	Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
Volume	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1533723
Publication status	Published - 25 Jun 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
SDG 4 Quality Education
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities

Keywords

health-related quality of life (HRQOL)
well-being
quality physical education
school-based physical activity
children and adolescents
school-wide intervention
FIT FIRST
Faroe Islands

Access to Document

10.3389/fspor.2025.1533723Licence: CC BY

Olsen HW et al Health_related quality of life findings from the Faroe IslandsFinal published version, 372 KBLicence: CC BY

PhD Project - FIT FIRST Physical Activity Intervention and Health-related Fitness Outcomes
Mohr, M. (PI), Olsen, H. W. (CoPI), Skoradal, M.-B. (CoI), Sjúrðarson, T. (CoI), Danielsen, B. B. (CoI), Helgadóttir Davidsen, A. (CoI) & Antoft, S. (CoI)
1/01/23 → 6/11/25
Project: Research

Cite this

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title = "Health-related quality of life findings from the Faroe Islands FIT FIRST FOR ALL school-based physical activity study",

abstract = "Introduction: This study evaluated the FIT FIRST FOR ALL program{\textquoteright}s effects on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among Faroese schoolchildren aged 7–16 years during a 10-week school-wide intervention. Methods: A non-randomized controlled design included 360 pupils from an intervention (INT, n = 179) and a control school (CON, n = 181). The INT group participated in 3 weekly 40-minute physical activity sessions over 10 weeks. HRQOL was assessed using KIDSCREEN-52, and changes were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Results: A significant Time × Group interaction (P = 0.002) showed a 7\% improvement in INT pupils{\textquoteright} physical well-being, particularly among boys (8\% increase, P < 0.001) and the youngest age group (7\% increase, P = 0.006). No significant changes were observed in other HRQOL dimensions. Discussion: The FIT FIRST FOR ALL program improved physical well-being, particularly among boys and younger age groups, showcasing its potential to influence selected dimensions of HRQOL through structured school-based physical activity. These findings suggest that tailoring the program to specific age and gender groups could further strengthen its scalability and effectiveness across diverse school settings.",

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author = "Olsen, \{Helgi Winther\} and Danielsen, \{B{\'a}ra Berghamar\} and T{\'o}rur Sj{\'u}r{\dh}arson and S{\o}ren Antoft and Peter Krustrup and Larsen, \{Malte Nejst\} and Magni Mohr and Davidsen, \{Annika H.\} and May-Britt Skoradal",

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doi = "10.3389/fspor.2025.1533723",

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T1 - Health-related quality of life findings from the Faroe Islands FIT FIRST FOR ALL school-based physical activity study

AU - Olsen, Helgi Winther

AU - Danielsen, Bára Berghamar

AU - Sjúrðarson, Tórur

AU - Antoft, Søren

AU - Krustrup, Peter

AU - Larsen, Malte Nejst

AU - Mohr, Magni

AU - Davidsen, Annika H.

AU - Skoradal, May-Britt

PY - 2025/6/25

Y1 - 2025/6/25

N2 - Introduction: This study evaluated the FIT FIRST FOR ALL program’s effects on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among Faroese schoolchildren aged 7–16 years during a 10-week school-wide intervention. Methods: A non-randomized controlled design included 360 pupils from an intervention (INT, n = 179) and a control school (CON, n = 181). The INT group participated in 3 weekly 40-minute physical activity sessions over 10 weeks. HRQOL was assessed using KIDSCREEN-52, and changes were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Results: A significant Time × Group interaction (P = 0.002) showed a 7% improvement in INT pupils’ physical well-being, particularly among boys (8% increase, P < 0.001) and the youngest age group (7% increase, P = 0.006). No significant changes were observed in other HRQOL dimensions. Discussion: The FIT FIRST FOR ALL program improved physical well-being, particularly among boys and younger age groups, showcasing its potential to influence selected dimensions of HRQOL through structured school-based physical activity. These findings suggest that tailoring the program to specific age and gender groups could further strengthen its scalability and effectiveness across diverse school settings.

AB - Introduction: This study evaluated the FIT FIRST FOR ALL program’s effects on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among Faroese schoolchildren aged 7–16 years during a 10-week school-wide intervention. Methods: A non-randomized controlled design included 360 pupils from an intervention (INT, n = 179) and a control school (CON, n = 181). The INT group participated in 3 weekly 40-minute physical activity sessions over 10 weeks. HRQOL was assessed using KIDSCREEN-52, and changes were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Results: A significant Time × Group interaction (P = 0.002) showed a 7% improvement in INT pupils’ physical well-being, particularly among boys (8% increase, P < 0.001) and the youngest age group (7% increase, P = 0.006). No significant changes were observed in other HRQOL dimensions. Discussion: The FIT FIRST FOR ALL program improved physical well-being, particularly among boys and younger age groups, showcasing its potential to influence selected dimensions of HRQOL through structured school-based physical activity. These findings suggest that tailoring the program to specific age and gender groups could further strengthen its scalability and effectiveness across diverse school settings.

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KW - school-based physical activity

KW - children and adolescents

KW - school-wide intervention

KW - FIT FIRST

KW - Faroe Islands

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M1 - 1533723

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Health-related quality of life findings from the Faroe Islands FIT FIRST FOR ALL school-based physical activity study

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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Projects

PhD Project - FIT FIRST Physical Activity Intervention and Health-related Fitness Outcomes

Cite this