Nurse facilitated 5000 m running at Parkrun improves vulnerable adolescent health in a high deprivation area: A matched pair randomized control trial

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effect of weekly nurse facilitated 5000 m running at Parkrun on markers of health in vulnerable adolescents from a high deprivation area.

Design: A matched pair randomized control trial.

Sample: Twenty-five adolescents aged 13-18, 90% identifying as Māori/Pasifika ethnicity.

Intervention: The intervention (INT) group participated in 6-10 Parkruns within 10 weeks, and a control group (CON) participated in one Parkrun only. A nurse facilitated the intervention offering support and encouragement at each Parkrun.

Measurements: Pre- and post-intervention testing sessions for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), glycated hemoglobin, body mass index (BMI), skeletal muscle mass (SMM), body fat, and hand grip strength (STR) were conducted.

Results: Parkrun improved CRF (F = 5.308, p = 0.035) and 5000 m time (t = 2.850, p = 0.019) by 5.5 ± 4.9 min (11.2%). Parkrun conferred a large beneficial effect on CRF (η² = 0.249) a moderate beneficial effect on glycated hemoglobin levels (η² = 0.119), and small beneficial effects upon SMM (η² = 0.037) and body fat (η² = 0.017).

Conclusion: A weekly dose of nurse facilitated Parkrun can be recommended as a simple, accessible intervention that confers multiple beneficial effects on markers for health in adolescents from a high deprivation area.

Keywords: adolescent health; community health nursing; interventions; physical activity; vulnerable populations.