The LET US Play strategy increases children`s physical activity in physical education classes

This study aimed to compare two strategies (Traditional x LET US Play) focused on increasing the number of steps (NS) during physical education classes for children. This is a randomized crossover clinical trial, carried out in a municipal elementary school from Cuiabá-MT. Ten classes were given to 25 children (11 boys and 14 girls) from the 4th grade. Divided into two moments of 15 minutes each (monitored), with a 10 minutes break between for hydration (not monitored). The class sessions consisted of activities (relay races, base four, futsal, dodgeball and borrow flag) using Traditional or LET US Play strategies, selected randomly and alternately. At the end of each activity the NS was measured through the Xiaomi Mi band 2 smart bracelet. The NP between the strategies and interactions with sex were assessed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a statistical significance set at p < 0.05. It was observed that the NS given by the children in the LET US Play intervention was higher than the Traditional in all activities (relay races, kickball, indoor soccer, dodgeball, lend flag) in boys and girls regardless of the delivered order (p < 0,01). It was concluded that LET US Play increased children’s NS during physical education classes and can be an interesting strategy to maximize physical activity among this population.