Intervention to promote physical activity in children aged 5 to 10 at the Eladio Roldós Barreiro XXI Educational Unit, Santo Domingo, 2024

The aim of this study was to implement an intervention to promote physical activity in children from 5 to 10 years of age at the Eladio Roldós Barreiro XXI Educational Unit. A quantitative, descriptive and basic purpose study was applied, with a pre-experimental longitudinal design. The sample consisted of 78 children selected intentionally. Two instruments were used: the “Weekly physical activity frequency questionnaire” and the “Perception and barriers to children's physical activity questionnaire”. The results showed that the percentage of children who were not physically active decreased by 54%, while those who exercised between 3 and 6 times a week increased by 38%. There was also a 33% increase in active participation during physical education classes, and a 31% increase in physical activity outside school hours, mainly after school and on weekends. Perceived barriers to exercise decreased by 31%, reflecting greater willingness to engage in movement. It is concluded that the intervention was effective in reducing sedentary lifestyles, improving the frequency and intensity of physical activity and establishing more active habits in students, highlighting the importance of programs adapted to the school level to strengthen children's physical and emotional well-being.