Irish Life Health Schools’ Fitness Challenge...The winners Congratulations to all of the schools who took part in the 2018 Irish Life Health Schools’ Fitness Challenge. A huge

Irish Life HealthSchools’ Fitness

ChallengeBarometer 2018

irishlifehealth.ie/fitnesschallenge

About the Irish Life Health Schools’ Fitness Challenge

Since 2013, the Schools’ Fitness Challenge has helped Irish students become fitter, healthier and more energetic. The 2018 Schools’ Fitness Challenge invited secondary schools across the country to join us in highlighting the importance of fitness to our future health and to make increasing physical activity a national priority. At Irish Life Health, our aim is that young people will adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle, which will positively benefit their long term health.

There are three phases to the Irish Life Health Schools’ Fitness Challenge.

Initial fitness test to measure fitness levels

Six week training programme to help improve cardiovascular fitness levels

Repeat fitness test to measure new fitness levels

This year’s challenge was completed over 11 weeks from September to December 2018. The fitness levels of Irish secondary school students were assessed, with the aim of helping Ireland become a fitter and healthier nation.

Irish Life Health would like to sincerely thank all of the principals and teachers for supporting this year’s challenge, and making a positive contribution to the health and wellness of Irish children.

1

2

3

Irish Life Health Schools' Fitness Challenge 1

Analysis of results

The aim of the Irish Life Health Schools’ Fitness Challenge is to highlight the importance of cardiovascular fitness for young people. The challenge also shows that improvements can be made with as little as 6 weeks of exercise and training.

The 2018 Irish Life Health Schools‘ Fitness Challenge

This year, 24,167 students(12,912 girls and 11,255 boys)took part in the challenge,with a total of 14,804(8,246 girls and 6,558 boys)completing all phases ofthe challenge.

11,255BOYS

12,912GIRLS

14,804COMPLETEDALL PHASES

24,167PARTICIPATED

6,558BOYS

8,246GIRLS


The winners

Congratulations to all of the schools who took part in the 2018 Irish Life Health Schools’ Fitness Challenge. A huge well done from everyone in Irish Life Health to all of our winners.

This year, we’d also like to recognise the schools who came in second and third place. Congratulations on your results.

IRELAND’S MOST IMPROVED SCHOOL

Boys Summerhill College, Sligo

Girls Alexandra College, Dublin

Mixed/Overall Gort Community School, Galway

FIRST PLACE

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

FITTEST SCHOOL

Boys St Eunan's College, Donegal

Girls St. Louis Secondary Monaghan

Mixed Abbey Community College, Roscommon

MOST IMPROVED SCHOOL

Boys Templeogue College, Dublin

Girls Colaiste Naomh Mhuire, Kildare

Mixed Gaelcholaiste Phort Lairge, Waterford

FITTEST SCHOOL

Boys C.B.S. Roscommon

Girls Mount Anville Secondary School, Dublin

Mixed Gort Community School, Galway

MOST IMPROVED SCHOOL

Boys C.B.S. Roscommon

Girls Loreto Abbey Dalkey, Dublin

Mixed Ardscoil na Trionoide, Kildare

IRELAND’S FITTEST SCHOOL

Boys St. Macartan’s College, Monaghan Town

Girls/Overall Colaiste Naomh Mhuire, Kildare

Mixed Carrigallen Vocational School, Leitrim


42Average

2014

42Average

2016

6882

6873

6167

5463

4351

4450

4448

4247

8251

7350

6748

6347

Shuttle barometers

Average number of shuttle runs

Improvement levels

These barometers show the average number of shuttle runs completed by Irish boys and girls during phase 2 of the Irish Life Health Schools’ Fitness Challenge from 2013 to 2018. The ultimate target is recommended by the centre for Preventive Medicine, DCU.

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Average 2013

62

Average 2015

74

67Average

2014

68Average

2016

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Average 2013

38

Average 2015

43

70UltimateTarget

100UltimateTarget

BOYS

BOYS

BOYS

GIRLS

GIRLS

GIRLS

0 20 40 60 80 100 0 20 40 60 80 100

Average number of shuttle runs completed by boys and girls after 6 week training programme was completed.

Boys vs. Girls: 34% difference

Average number of shuttle runs completed by1st – 4th year boys and girls after 6 week training programme was completed.

1stYear2nd

Year3rd

Year4th

Year

0 20 40 60 80 100

Percentage improvement in fitness by boys after 6 week exercise programme. The percentage difference is between the 1st and 2nd bleep tests.

1stYear2nd

Year3rd

Year4th

Year

+17%

+10

21%

0 20 40 60 80 100

Percentage improvement in fitness by girls after 6 week exercise programme.The percentage difference is between the 1st and 2nd bleep tests.

1stYear2nd

Year3rd

Year4th

Year

+9%

Phase 1 Phase 2 Improvement Phase 1 Phase 2 Improvement

+12%

+19%

+14%+7%


Gaelcholaiste Cheatharlach CarlowSt Mary s Knockbeg College CarlowBreifne College CavanRoyal School Cavan CavanSt Aidans Comprehensive School CavanSt Patrick s College CavanVirginia College CavanEnnis Community College ClareScariff Community College ClareScoil Mhuire ClareSt Anne s Community College ClareSt Flannan s College ClareArdscoil Ui Urmoltaigh CorkBallincollig Community School CorkColaiste Choilm CorkColaiste Chriost Ri CorkColaiste Ghobnatan Cork

Davis College CorkEdmund Rice College CorkGaelcholaiste Charraig Ui Leighin CorkGaelcholaiste Mhuire CorkGlanmire Community College CorkMidleton College CorkMillstreet Community School CorkMount St Michael CorkNagle Rice Secondary School CorkPatrician Academy CorkPresentation Secondary School CorkSkibbereen Community School CorkSt Colman s Community College CorkSt Fanahan s College CorkSt Mary s Secondary School CorkColaiste Phobail Cholmcille DonegalErrigal College Donegal

Finn Valley College DonegalGairm Scoil ChUladh DonegalLoreto Community School DonegalLoreto Secondary School DonegalMagh Ene College DonegalMulroy College DonegalPobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola DonegalSt Columba s Comprehensive School DonegalSt Eunan s College DonegalSt. Catherine s Vocational School DonegalAlexandra College DublinBallinteer Community School DublinColaiste Aosagin DublinColaiste Eoin DublinColaiste Ghlor na Mara DublinColaiste Mhuire DublinColaiste Padraig CBS Dublin

Average 2017

67

Average 2017

46

Educate Together DublinGaelcholaiste an Phiarsaigh DublinGrange Community College DublinHansfield Education Together Secondary School DublinHoly Child Community School DublinHoly Family Community School DublinJesus and Mary College DublinKingswood Community College DublinKishoge Community College DublinLoreto Abbey Secondary School DublinLoreto College DublinLoreto College DublinManor House School DublinMount Anville Secondary School DublinNew Cross College DublinPortmarnock Community School DublinPresentation Community College DublinRathmines College DublinSaint Dominic s Secondary School DublinSandford Park School Ltd DublinScoil Naithi DublinSt Andrews College DublinSt Joseph s Secondary School DublinSt Mac Dara s Community College DublinSt Marys Secondary School DublinSt Michaels Secondary School DublinTempleogue College DublinThe Kings Hospital DublinThe Teresian School DublinArdscoil Mhuire GalwayColaiste an Eachridh GalwayColaiste Cholmcille GalwayColaiste Ghobnait GalwayColaiste na Coiribe GalwayColaiste Naomh Feichin GalwayColaiste Naomh Inne GalwayColaiste Sheosaimh GalwayGairmscoil na bPiarsach GalwayGlenamaddy Community School GalwayGort Community School GalwayMercy College GalwayMerlin College GalwayPortumna Community School GalwayPresentation College GalwaySt Brigids College GalwaySt Raphaels College GalwaySt. Brigid s School GalwaySt. Cuan s College GalwayCauseway Comprehensive School KerryColaiste Ade Kerry

Community College Killorglin KerryKillarney Community College KerryMean Scoil Naomh Ioseph KerryMercy Secondary School Mounthawk KerryPresentation Secondary School KerryPresentation Secondary School KerrySt. Brigid s Secondary School KerrySt. Michael s College KerryArdscoil na Trionoide KildareArdscoil Rath Iomghain KildareColaiste Naomh Mhuire KildareLeixlip Community School KildareMaynooth Community College KildareMaynooth Post Primary School KildareNaas Community College KildareScoil Mhuire Community School KildareColaiste Cois Sifire KilkennyColaiste Mhuire KilkennyCommunity School KilkennyHeywood Community School LaoisPortlaoise College LaoisScoil Chriost Ri LaoisCarrigallen Vocational School LeitrimArdscoil Ris LimerickEducate Together Limerick LimerickThomond Community College LimerickArdscoil Phadraig LongfordSt. Mels College LongfordTemplemichael College LongfordOur Lady s College LouthSacred Heart Secondary School LouthSt Louis Secondary School LouthSt. Joseph s C.B.S. LouthBallyhaunis Community School MayoColaiste Mhuire MayoColaiste Pobail Acla MayoSacred Heart School MayoSt Joseph s Secondary School MayoSt Joseph s Secondary School MayoBoyne Community School MeathEureka Secondary School MeathFranciscan College MeathSt Oliver Post Primary MeathLargy College MonaghanOur Lady s Secondary School MonaghanSt Louis Secondary School MonaghanSt. Louis Secondary School MonaghanSt. Macartan s College MonaghanColaiste Aosagain OffalyGallen Community School OffalyOaklands Community College Offaly

Sacred Heart Secondary School OffalyAbbey Community College RoscommonC.B.S. Roscommon RoscommonCastlerea Community School RoscommonBallinode College SligoCorran College SligoSummerhill College SligoBorrisokane Community College TipperaryColaiste Phobail TipperaryNenagh Vocational School TipperaryPatrician Presentation TipperarySt Josephs College TipperarySt. Alibe s School TipperarySt. Joseph s C.B.S TipperaryArd Scoil na nDeise WaterfordColaiste Chathail Naofa WaterfordGaelcholaiste Phort Lairge WaterfordLoreto College WestmeathWilson s Hospital School WestmeathBridgetown College WexfordColaiste Abbain WexfordColaiste an Atha WexfordLoreto Secondary School WexfordSt. Mary s C.B.S. WexfordYouthreach Enniscorthy WexfordColaiste Bhride Carnew WicklowGaelcholaiste na Mara WicklowGlenart College WicklowLoreto Secondary School WicklowNorth Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School WicklowScoil Chonglais WicklowSt Gerard s School Wicklow

68Average

2016

70Average

2018

46Average

2018

71

49

Recommendations

1. Low cardiorespiratory fitness during adolescents is associated with premature death and increased risk of developing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and non-alcohol fatty liver.

2. Since the levels of cardiorespiratory fitness tend to track from adolescence to adulthood every effort should be made to promote high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness in early in life.

3. The Irish Life Health Schools’ Fitness Challenge demonstrates that a 6-week exercise intervention can improve cardiovascular fitness by more than 10% among school-going children

4. Continuous surveillance of cardiorespiratory fitness should be mandatory in secondary school, and should form part of a lifelong “health portfolio”

5. Leaving Certificate students should receive up to 50 extra points for achieving targeting cardiovascular fitness levels

6. There is an urgent need to improve health literacy among teenagers. On the basis that schools provide universal access to teenagers over a sustained period, this could potentially be achieved by introducing a new innovative health science curriculum in secondary school

Participating schools




Prof. Nial Moyna


School County School County School County











School County School County School County




ILH_30063-19-01




Documents

Irish Life Health Schools’ Fitness Challenge...The winners Congratulations to all of the schools who took part in the 2018 Irish Life Health Schools’ Fitness Challenge. A huge