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The effectiveness of JU:MP a whole system approach to improve physical activity of children aged 5 to 11 years living in multi-ethnic and socio-economically deprived communities: a non-randomised controlled trial
Barber, Sally E. Dawkins, N.P. Helme, Zoe Hall, J. Seims, A. Santorelli, G. Wright, J. McEachan, R.R.C. Burkhardt, J.
Barber, Sally E.
Dawkins, N.P.
Helme, Zoe
Hall, J.
Seims, A.
Santorelli, G.
Wright, J.
McEachan, R.R.C.
Burkhardt, J.
Publication Date
2025-12-07
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© 2025 The Author(s). This is an Open Access article distributed under the Creative Commons CC-BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
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Yes
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openAccess
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2025-11-19
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barber_et_al_2026.pdf
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Additional title
Abstract
Background
Whole system approaches to public health challenges such as low physical activity levels have the potential to create sustained behaviour change at a population level and tackle health inequalities. However, there is currently little evidence of the nature or effectiveness of adopting whole system approaches. This study evaluated whether a whole system physical activity intervention (JU:MP), was effective at improving accelerometry measured physical activity in five- to eleven-year-olds.
Methods
A non-randomised controlled trial with two-arms (JU:MP intervention and control), was conducted in multi-ethnic and socioeconomically deprived areas of Bradford, UK with data collected at baseline and 24-months follow-up. Habitual physical activity was measured via accelerometry. Mixed effects regression models identified group differences at 24 months. The primary outcome was moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA). Secondary outcomes included: accelerometery measured - sedentary time (ST), counts per minute (CPM); BMI z-score, waist circumference, and children’s social, emotional and behavioural health, and quality-of-life via parental and teacher completed questionnaires. An exploratory analysis compared intervention effects between sub-groups.
Results
1,453 children were recruited. 330 children with valid wear-time at baseline and 24-months (JU:MP group n = 175, control group n = 155) were included in the final analysis of physical activity outcomes. The JU:MP group improved levels of MVPA (+ 4.99 min/day, (CI = 1.01, 8.96), standardised mean difference (SMD) = 0.29), ST ( -8.69 min/day, CI = -16.76, -0.61), SMD = -0.20) and CPM (+ 32.72, CI = 5.93, 59.53, SMD = 0.28) compared to controls. There were minor differences between groups in all secondary outcomes, favouring the JU:MP group. Exploratory sub-group analysis revealed that MVPA improved for boys (+ 7.34 min/days, CI = 0.70, 13.99, SMD = 0.36) and South Asian heritage children (+ 7.20 min/day, CI = 1.67, 12.72, SMD = 0.52) in the JU:MP group compared to the control group.
Conclusion
This study provides evidence that a whole system, community-based intervention can improve physical activity levels in primary school-aged children, particularly among boys and South Asian children, in deprived and ethnically diverse settings. The findings suggest that whole systems approaches may be effective in mitigating age-related declines in activity and addressing inequalities at scale.
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Published version
Citation
Barber Sally E, Bingham Daniel D, Dawkins Nathan P (2025) The effectiveness of JU:MP a whole system approach to improve physical activity of children aged 5 to 11 years living in multi-ethnic and socio-economically deprived communities: a non-randomised controlled trial. BMC Public Health, 26: 152.
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Article