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Findings from San Felipe Soccer Club Evaluation Show Early Indicators of Improved Child Health

Players Improved Their Physical Activity and Fitness During the Spring 2010 Season

 The Notah Begay III Foundation initiated an evaluation of the San Felipe Soccer Club during the spring 2010 season in order to measure the effectiveness of the Soccer Club at improving youth physical health, fitness, emotional health,  soccer skills, and academic progress. A formal evaluation was designed and implemented in partnership with Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health, who provided technical assistance, training, data management and analysis services. The results show that Soccer Club players improved their physical activity and fitness during the season, indicating that the children made important healthy lifestyle changes and may be on a trajectory for improved physical health if these gains are sustained.

A total of 141 players ages 5-14 years old participated in the February 2010 evaluation at the beginning of the season, and a total of 117 players ages 5-14 years old participated in the April 2010 evaluation at the end of the season. Outcomes that showed improvements from the beginning to the end of the season include: push-ups, sit-ups, vertical jump, 1 mile run to measure endurance, shuttle run to measure speed, soccer dribbling test, soccer trapping and passing test, and heart rate. These findings are all statistically significant, which means they can be attributed to participation in the Soccer Club and most likely did not occur by chance.

No measurable changes were recorded for Body Mass Index (BMI), body fat, waist circumference, sit and reach, soccer juggling test, and self-report measures of self-esteem, self-efficacy, sense of belonging, sense of future, soccer knowledge, academic progress, and attitudes around physical activity and fitness. The results from blood pressure testing were inconclusive due to variability in measurements.  Johns Hopkins evaluators believe the study of BMI, body fat and psychosocial and cognitive impacts from fitness gains will require a longer period of study and larger sample size.  In addition, measuring changes in BMI in youth can be challenging due to childhood growth patterns.

The results from the spring 2010 evaluation of the San Felipe Soccer Club are encouraging. The improvements seen in physical activity and fitness may be early predictors of reduced rates of obesity and diabetes as participating children age. Longer-term study, a larger sample and a control group may be needed to track long-term impact of increased physical activity and fitness changes on BMI and other measures of physiological health and emotional well-being. Further study is being planned through the partnership between the Notah Begay III Foundation and Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health.

 For more information on the Notah Begay III Foundation, please email info@nb3f.org