PHIT2LEARN Study 4: An ecological long-term intervention targeted at reducing sedentary time in the classroom using sit-to-stand desks in vocational education and training

The goal is to implement sit-to-stand desks in the classrooms of vocational education and training (VET) institutes, using different behaviour change approaches and working in co-creation with participating teachers and students. The use of these sit-to-stand desks should lead to less sedentary time and more light-intensity physical activity among which standing and walking around in the classroom. Next to these changes in physical activity behaviour, objectively measured with accelerometry using ActivPALs, we are interested in the potential effects on school performance, motivation, self-esteem, mental well-being, vitality, and classroom behaviour. This cluster RCT has a mixed design with a pre-post-test and control group using regular sedentary furniture. The intervention period will last 5 months and 200 students will be included in the full sample. Two VET institutes will participate and will each deliver four classes of level 2 VET students.

We expect less sedentary time in the classroom and more standing time, from the objective data delivered by ActivPAL accelerometry. We expect beneficial findings on motivation, vitality, self-esteem, and mental well-being. We expect beneficial findings on school performance and classroom behaviour.

Start of the intervention and end of the intervention

Using sit-to-stand desks during classes spent at school, combined with a tailored intervention developed in co-creation with participating teachers and students regarding motivating teachers and students to use these desks.