A physical activity intervention for adolescents with disability: The Burn 2 Learn adapted (B2La) program

Burn 2 Learn adapted (B2La) is a multi-component intervention includes the following intervention components: (i) student information seminar, (ii) school-based exercise sessions, (iii) smartphone application (app), (iv) parental support videos, and (v) provision of equipment. The intervention will take place over 9-months, however the primary end-point of the intervention is 6-months post-baseline. Student information seminar: Delivered by teachers, the seminar will provide an overview of B2La and focus on the barriers and benefits of physical activity for individuals with disability, as well as appropriate behaviour change techniques (e.g., self-monitoring and goal setting). Teachers will be provided with a PowerPoint presentation with embedded videos designed for this project. The seminar will be approximately 60 minutes in duration, and will take place during the first week of the intervention prior to beginning the school-based exercise sessions. A teacher recording sheet will be used to monitor attendance at the student information seminar. School-based exercise sessions: Sessions will be run during scheduled ‘Specialist Support Classes’ (students typically attend 3 x 2-hour support lessons/week). These classes cater for students with moderate-to-high learning and support needs, including students with intellectual disability, mental health issues, autism, physical disability, sensory impairment and behaviour disorders. Teachers will be asked to facilitate the delivery of at least two exercise sessions per week across two school terms (approximately 6 months). Exercise sessions will be group-administered with up to 10 participants. Participants will be able to select from 9 high-intensity interval training (HIIT) style workouts including: Gym HIIT, Class HIIT, Quick HIIT, Hip-hop HIIT, Soccer HIIT, Basketball HIIT, Netball HIIT, Athletics HIIT and Custom HIIT. Each session will include a combination of aerobic (i.e., shuttle runs, jumping jacks, running on the sport) and muscle-strengthening (i.e., body weight squat, push ups, lunges) exercises and last ~15 min in duration. Students will be encouraged to reach a target intensity of 80% of age-predicted heart rate max. As demonstrated in our feasibility study, this heart rate target is achievable for students with disability. Teachers will be provided with training and support to deliver the sessions using the ‘SAAFE’ delivery principles. Student session adherence will be monitored using the B2L app analytics, and teacher session attendance checklists. Following the primary-endpoint of the intervention (6-months post-baseline), students will be encouraged to complete sessions outside of lesson time (e.g., at home), but teachers may continue to facilitate sessions during lessons if they wish. Smartphone app: Teachers and students will be provided with access to the B2L app (Android and iOS versions available). The app includes: (i) descriptions and depictions of exercise sessions, (ii) options for 'solo' or 'group' sessions, (iii) timer, audible prompts and display of heart rate using Bluetooth synced heart rate monitors during HIIT sessions, (iv) personalised reports outlining heart rate, and (v) teacher version allows whole-class heart rate monitoring during class sessions. Access to the B2L app will be provided to parents of students who do not own a smartphone. Parent support videos: Parents will receive two e-newsletters (approximately weeks 1 and 9 of the intervention) containing links to videos outlining the barriers and benefits of physical activity for individuals with disability and strategies to support their children’s participation outside of school. The videos are specifically designed for the current study and will be administered to participants' parents via the preferred parental contact method provided by the study schools. Equipment: Each school will receive an equipment pack valued at $1,400. The pack with include heart rate monitors, laminated technique and task cards, satchel, teacher handbook and cables. The laminated technique and task cards, and the teacher handbook have been designed by the research team for use in the current study.