The purpose of this systematic review was to assess physical activity promotion programs in school children from 6 to 12 years old. Randomized and non-randomized controlled trials of physical activity studies with an intervention period equal to or more than 12 months, published in the databases of Medline/PubMed, SciELO, EBSCO and SPORTDiscus through may 2010 were searched. Seven studies were analyzed. Overall, the study design, the follow-up periods, the ethnic characteristics of the population, and the instruments used to evaluate the interventions were heterogeneous. The outcomes showed moderate impact of intervention programs to increase the physical activity in children and adolescents. In two of the studies was observed an increase in the physical activity and in five of the studies no significant difference in the physical activity assessed with accelerometers and pedometers. In five out of seven studies it was not shown statistical differences in CPM, including the longest experimental study. These results suggest the need of designing studies including modifications in different environments.

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