Implementation of a School-Based State Policy to Increase Physical Activity (original) (raw)

Statewide dissemination and implementation of physical activity standards in afterschool programs: two-year results

BMC public health, 2018

In 2015, YMCA afterschool programs (ASPs) across South Carolina, USA pledged to achieve the YMCA physical activity standard calling for all children to accumulate 30 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) while attending their ASPs. This study presents the final two-year outcomes from the dissemination and implementation efforts associated with achieving this MVPA standard. Twenty ASPs were sampled from all South Carolina YMCA-operated ASPs (N = 97) and visited at baseline (2015) and first (2016) and second year (2017) follow-up. All ASPs were provided training to increase MVPA during the program by extending the scheduled time for activity opportunities and modifying commonly played games to increase MVPA. The RE-AIM framework was used to evaluate the statewide intervention. Accelerometer-derived MVPA was the primary outcome. Intent-to-treat (ITT) models were conducted summer 2017. Programs were also classified, based on changes in MVPA from 2015 to 2016 and 2016-2017...

Bridging Public Health and Education: Results of a School-Based Physical Activity Program to Increase Student Fitness

Public Health Reports

Objective: Power Up for 30 (PU30) is a schoolwide intervention that encourages schools to provide an additional 30 minutes of physical activity during the school day, beyond physical education. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of PU30 on Georgia public elementary schools and their students. Methods: A total of 719 of 1320 public elementary schools in Georgia that were sent a baseline survey about school physical activity during October 2013 to September 2014 completed the survey, 160 of which were asked to complete a second survey. In the interim (March to June 2015), half (80) of these schools implemented the PU30 program. The interim surveys, which were completed during March to June 2015, assessed opportunities for student physical activity and staff member professional development focused on student physical activity. Results: Compared with schools that had not implemented the program, more schools using the PU30 program reported offering before- and after-...

Promoting Physical Activity in Afterschool Programs

Afterschool Matters, 2010

Children in the United States are not engaging in sufficient amounts of routine physical activity, and this lack is an emerging public health concern (Strong, Malina, Blimkie, Daniels, Dishman, Gutin, et al., 2005). Efforts to increase the physical activity levels of children and adolescents has become a national priority, attracting attention from professionals in medicine, public health, education, recreation, economics, and health promotion (Pate, et al., 2006). In an effort to promote physical activity among all Americans, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS, 2008) created evidencebased (Strong, et al., 2005) physical activity guidelines. They recommend that children engage daily in 60 minutes or more of developmentally appropriate, enjoyable physical activities that are moderate to vigorous in intensity. Nationally, youth are not meeting these guidelines. Of particular concern are the low physical activity levels among underserved youth in, for example, rural, minority, and low-income communities (Adams, 2006; Hortz,

Implementing Policies to Enhance Physical Education and Physical Activity in Schools

Research quarterly for exercise and sport, 2016

The purpose of this commentary is to provide an overview of national physical activity recommendations and policies (e.g., from the Institute of Medicine, National Physical Activity Plan, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and to discuss how these important initiatives can be implemented in local schools. Successful policies are illustrated. Specific strategies and ideas are shared regarding how physical educators can assert themselves and impart their knowledge in an effort to build support for policy implementations that enhance the delivery of physical education and physical activity in their schools and communities.

Physical Education and Student Activity: Evaluating Implementation of a New Policy in Los Angeles Public Schools

Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 2013

Background California law has standards for physical education (PE) instruction in K-12 public schools; audits found that the Los Angeles Unified School District did not enforce the standards. In 2009, the district adopted a PE policy to comply with these standards. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the PE policy in district schools. Methods PE class observations were conducted using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time in the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years in an income-stratified random sample of 34 elementary, middle, and high schools to assess changes in PE class size, class duration, and time students spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity. Results PE class duration increased in high-income elementary schools. Mean class size decreased in low-income middle schools. Conclusions There was limited implementation of the PE policy 2 years after passage. Opportunities exist to continue monitoring and improving PE quantity and quality.

Physical Activity Opportunity in K-12 Public School Settings: Nevada

Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2007

We examined the status of physical activity opportunity in Nevada K-12 public schools. The focus was on determining both prevalence and nature of existing programs as well as school administratorsʼ perceived barriers to offering physical activity programs. Methods: A 15 item questionnaire was used to assess prevalence and nature of programs as well as perceived barriers. Results: Nevada school-age children do not have regular access to physical education. Excluding physical education, more than 30% of schools do not provide physical activity programming. Most existing programs are competitive sport related. In addition, as students matriculate through school, fewer program options and opportunities to participate throughout the school day are available. Lack of funds was the most frequently reported perceived barrier to offering physical activity programs. Conclusions: Opportunities to be physically active over the course of the school day are limited and as a result, hinder important national objectives for health-related outcomes.

Changing School Physical Activity: An Examination of Individual School Designed Programs

2012

This study guided by a health ecology conceptual framework evaluated four "bottom-up" Physical Activity (PA) interventions with school personnel planning for their own health ecology with state level support for one year. Students (N = 616) were from four schools in the Southwestern USA in the 3rd-8th grade. Participants had various ethnic backgrounds (e.g., Hispanic 44%, Caucasian 43%) and wore a pedometer for five school days pre/post intervention. Teacher and school level data were also reported by schools. Program components varied across the four intervention sites. Paired samples t test results showed that three of the four intervention schools significantly increased both school day and 24 hr PA. School personnel reported significantly more favorable results at post test for nurse visits, student absences, and classroom teachers' use of PA breaks. Using a health ecology lens, when schools develop their own PA intervention and have "buy in" from staff, significant increases in PA are attainable.