School-based physical education: Physical activity and implementation barriers in Vietnamese elementary schools

Information about the Vietnamese physical education (PE) programme is limited due to a lack of relevant studies. Using the Health Optimising Physical Education as a conceptual framework, this study examined students’ physical activity (PA) levels in the fifth-grade PE programme in Vietnam and barriers to programme implementation. Eight schools (28 PE classes) were randomly selected for assessing students’ PA levels, lesson context, and PA promotion during PE lessons using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time. In-depth interviews were also conducted with school administrators, PE instructors, and classroom teachers using semi-structured guides to examine barriers influencing the implementation of the current PE programme. Results showed students spent 33% of PE time in moderate–vigorous physical activity (MVPA), which is less than the international recommendation of 50%. The amount of MVPA varied by school type, instructor gender and qualification. Programme implementation was negatively affected by the current structure that limits autonomy, a proclivity for a “one size fits all” approach to teaching PE, and limited motivation for PE instructors to improve their teaching. The low perceived value of PE, lack of support and professional development for existing PE instructors, and an over-emphasis on sports training due to available financial incentives were also identified as important barriers that affected programme implementation. Addressing these barriers could help improve the quality of the Vietnamese PE programme.

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Physical activity levels during adventure-physical education lessons

European Physical Education Review ◽

10.1177/1356336x12440365 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 245-257 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jeffrey Gehris ◽

Elizabeth Myers ◽

Robert Whitaker

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Public Schools ◽

Physical Education ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Physical Development ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Instruction Time ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

The Mean

Adventure-physical education has been proposed to promote adolescents’ physical development, but little is known about physical activity levels during such lessons. Using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time, we observed students’ (ages 11–14 years) physical activity levels in co-educational classes during 43 adventure-physical education lessons at seven public schools. The mean percentage (±SD) of time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was 28.3% (±16.3%). The greatest percentage of lesson time was spent in two activities—high elements (24.1% ± 36.5%) and initiatives (22.3% ± 32.4%). When data were aggregated across all lessons, 40.0% of the time in high elements and 13.7% of the time in initiatives was spent in MVPA. Of all MVPA time, 31.5% occurred in high elements and another 12.6% in initiatives. Compared with traditional physical education lessons, less time is spent in MVPA during adventure lessons. Efforts to increase MVPA should target high elements and initiative activities.

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Physical Activity and Environmental Influences during Secondary School Physical Education

Journal of Teaching in Physical Education ◽

10.1123/jtpe.28.1.21 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 21-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Bik C. Chow ◽

Thomas L. McKenzie ◽

Lobo Louie

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Education ◽

Secondary School ◽

Secondary Schools ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Movement Skills ◽

Instruction Time ◽

Trained Observers ◽

The U.S

Physical activity engagement during physical education is important for many reasons, including developing physical fitness and movement skills and promoting health. Much more is known about physical activity in elementary than secondary schools. We examined physical activity and how it was influenced by instructor-related and environmental characteristics during 238 lessons taught by 65 physical education specialists in 30 randomly selected secondary schools in Hong Kong. Trained observers used SOFIT (System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time) in randomly selected grade 7–12 classes over a 6-month period. Results showed students engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) about 35% of lesson time, a level similar to that found in U.S. elementary schools and short of the U.S. Healthy People 2010 objective of 50% engagement time. Multiple regression analyses found that six potentially modifiable variables contributed to 35% of the variability in lesson MVPA percent.

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Identifying and Quantifying the Unintended Variability in Common Systematic Observation Instruments to Measure Youth Physical Activity

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2017-0375 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (9) ◽

pp. 651-660 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Robert G. Weaver ◽

Aaron Beighle ◽

Heather Erwin ◽

Michelle Whitfield ◽

Michael W. Beets ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Education ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Absolute Difference ◽

Systematic Observation ◽

Instruction Time ◽

Observation Instruments ◽

Multistep Process ◽

Group 2 ◽

Child Observation

Background: Direct observation protocols may introduce variability in physical activity estimates. Methods: Thirty-five physical education lessons were video recorded and coded using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT). A multistep process examined variability in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA%; walking + vigorous/total scans). Initially, per-SOFIT protocol MVPA% (MVPA%SOFIT) estimates were produced for each lesson. Second, true MVPA% (mean MVPA% of all students using all observations, MVPA%true) estimates were calculated. Third, MVPA% (MVPA%perm) was calculated based on all permutations of students and observation order. Fourth, physical education lessons were divided into 2 groups with 5 lessons from each group randomly selected 10,000 times. Group MVPA%perm differences between the 10 selected lessons were compared with the MVPA%true difference between group 1 and group 2. Results: Across all lessons, 10,212,600 permutations were possible (average 291,789 combinations per lesson; range = 73,440–570,024). Across lessons, the average absolute difference between MVPA%true and MVPA%SOFIT estimates was ±4.8% (range = 0.1%–17.5%). Permutations, based on students selected and observation order, indicated that the mean range of MVPA%perm estimates was 41.6% within a lesson (range = 29.8%–55.9%). Differences in MVPA% estimates between the randomly selected groups of lessons varied by 32.0%. Conclusion: MVPA% estimates from focal child observation should be interpreted with caution.

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RESEARCH NOTE: Physical Activity Levels in Elementary-School Physical Education: A Comparison of Swimming and Nonswimming Classes

Journal of Teaching in Physical Education ◽

10.1123/jtpe.23.3.252 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 252-263 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Greet Cardon ◽

Stefanie Verstraete ◽

Dirk De Clercq ◽

Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Education ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physical Education Class ◽

Instruction Time ◽

Elementary Physical Education ◽

Education Class ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Preliminary Study

The main goal of the current study was to compare physical activity levels during swimming and nonswimming elementary physical education classes. We conducted a preliminary study and found that the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT) could be used to register physical activity engagement levels in swimming classes. Thirty-nine classes, involving 8- to 12-year olds, participated in one swimming and one nonswimming physical education class. Classes were videotaped and physical activity levels for 234 students were quantified using SOFIT. Students engaged in more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during swimming classes than during nonswimming classes. As a consequence, we advocate the inclusion of swimming lessons in physical education. Because the average engagement in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was lower than the recommended 50% in 41% of swimming classes and in 77% of the nonswimming classes, however, comprehensive efforts are needed to increase physical activity levels during both types of elementary physical education classes.

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Physical Activity in High School Physical Education: Impact of Lesson Context and Class Gender Composition

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2011-0334 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 127-135 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Nicole J. Smith ◽

Monica A.F. Lounsbery ◽

Thomas L. McKenzie

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Professional Development ◽

High School ◽

Physical Education ◽

Teacher Professional Development ◽

Gender Composition ◽

Instruction Time ◽

High School Physical Education ◽

Teacher Professional ◽

Lesson Context

Background:Physical education (PE) is recommended as a source for physical activity (PA) and learning generalizable PA skills. Few studies have objectively examined high school PE, specifically its delivery, including PA, lesson contexts, and class gender composition.Methods:We used the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT) to assess PA during 6 lesson contexts in 47 boys-only, 54 girls-only, and 63 coed lessons from 7 high schools. MANOVA assessed differences based on class gender composition.Results:Actual lesson length was 27.7 min, only 65% of the scheduled length of class periods. Students engaged in moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) 54% of the time, with boys being more active than girls. Game play was the most dominant context (47%), and little time was allocated to knowledge and skill development. Class size, lesson length, PA, and lesson contexts all differed by class gender composition (P < .001).Conclusions:Many differences in the conduct of high school PE are related to class gender composition. Boys accumulated more MVPA than girls. When held, PE lessons contributed about 25% of recommended daily PA minutes; improvements could be made by increasing allocations to fitness and skill practice and reducing transition and management time. Teacher professional development is warranted.

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Caracterização dos comportamentos de ensino, contexto de aula e atividade física em dois programas distintos de educação física (Caracterización de los comportamientos docentes, el contexto del aula y la actividad física en dos programas de educación físi

Retos ◽

10.47197/retos.v38i38.75854 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 379-384

Author(s):

Francisca Gois ◽

Ricardo Catunda ◽

Elvio Rubio Gouveia ◽

João Martins ◽

Emilia Devantel Hercules ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Education ◽

Student Behavior ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

The Other ◽

Class Time ◽

Instruction Time ◽

Class Context ◽

Reduced Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Activities

Resumo. O objetivo do estudo foi caracterizar as aulas de educação física (EF) em duas escolas secundárias com metodologias de trabalho distintas. Foram avaliadas 37 aulas de EF através do System for Observing Instruction Time e calculadas as proporções médias do tempo de aula de cada comportamento do professor, do aluno, das situações do contexto da aula e o nível de atividade física (AF) proporcionado. As comparações entre escolas foram efetuadas por meio do teste T-Student. Nas duas escolas os alunos passaram muito tempo em atividades sedentárias e uma menor proporção de tempo em atividade física moderada a vigorosa, 40,1% e 38,8% para a escola A e B, respectivamente. O contexto predominante na escola A foi de atividades para aptidão física (37.2%), apresentando diferenças significativas (p<.05) em relação à escola B (2%). Na escola B predominaram os jogos estruturados (62.5%). Os professores da escola A dedicaram mais tempo às instruções gerais (41.1%), enquanto os professores da escola B ficaram mais tempo em observação (42.2%). As metodologias distintas desenvolvidas pelas escolas proporcionaram aulas de EF com reduzidas proporções de AF em níveis adequados para obtenção de benefícios à saúde.Resumen. El objetivo del estudio fue caracterizar las clases de educación física (PE) en dos escuelas secundarias con diferentes metodologías de trabajo. Se evaluaron 37 clases de educación física a través de System for Observing Instruction Time y se calcularon las proporciones promedio de tiempo de clase para cada maestro, el comportamiento del alumno, las situaciones del contexto del aula y el nivel de actividad física proporcionada. Las comparaciones entre escuelas se realizaron mediante la prueba T-Student. En ambas escuelas, los estudiantes pasaron mucho tiempo en actividades sedentarias y una menor proporción de tiempo en actividad física moderada a vigorosa, 40.1% y 38.8% para la escuela A y B, respectivamente. El contexto predominante en la escuela A fue la actividad física (37.2%), con diferencias significativas (p <.05) en relación con la escuela B (2%). En la escuela B, predominaban los juegos estructurados (62.5%). Los maestros de la escuela A dedicaron más tiempo a la instrucción general (41.1%), mientras que los maestros de la escuela B dedicaron más tiempo a la observación (42.2%). Las diferentes metodologías desarrolladas por las escuelas proporcionaron clases de educación física con proporciones reducidas de actividades físicas en niveles adecuados para obtener beneficios para la salud.Abstract. This study aimed at characterizing physical education (PE) classes in two secondary schools with different working methods. One school (A) was more sport oriented, and the other implement traditional PE classes. Thirty-seven PE classes were assessed through the System for Observing Instruction Time and the average proportions of class time for each teacher and student behavior, class context, and levels of physical activity provided were calculated. Comparisons between schools were made using the Student T-test. In both schools students spent much time in sedentary activities and a smaller proportion of time in moderate to vigorous physical activity, 40.1% and 38.8% for school A and B, respectively. In school A, teachers devoted more time to physical fitness activities (37.2%), presenting significant differences (p <.05) compared to school B (2%). In school B, structured games were predominant (62.5%). School A teachers spent more time on general instructions (41.1%), while in school B teachers spent more time on observations (42.2%). The different methodologies developed by the two schools provided PE classes with reduced physical activity proportions at adequate levels for obtaining health benefits.

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Teaching physical education in ‘paradise’: Activity levels, lesson context and barriers to quality implementation

European Physical Education Review ◽

10.1177/1356336x211033696 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1356336X2110336

Author(s):

Azeema Abdulla ◽

Peter R Whipp ◽

Timothy Teo

Keyword(s):

Physical Education ◽

Capital City ◽

Temperate Climate ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Implementation Barriers ◽

Programme Implementation ◽

Fifth Grade Students ◽

Effective Teaching Strategies ◽

Lesson Context

Despite the temperate climate, surrounded by pristine oceans, children in the Maldives do not meet the minimum daily physical activity (PA) requirements. Maldives is a resource inhibited country within the Indian rim. Generalist teachers are required to deliver primary physical education (PE). There is a paucity of information about Maldivian PE, and comprehensive studies of children's engagement in PA levels in this, and similar contexts are limited. Therefore, this study examined PA levels of fifth-grade students ( N = 30 classes) during PE lessons from four schools in the capital city of Male’. The Health Optimising PE model conceptually framed the work. Teachers’ ( N = 20) perceptions of implementation barriers were reported during semi-structured interviews. Students’ PA levels, lesson context and PA promotion were assessed during PE lessons with the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time. The students averaged 31.05% (7.95 min) of PE time in moderate to vigorous PA. During 26.56% of lesson time teachers focused on skill and knowledge development, while for 10.31% of PE lesson time children were encouraged to be active during and outside of class. Programme implementation, according to the teachers, was impacted by a lack of teacher knowledge and confidence, teacher attire and perceived lack of infrastructure, resources and equipment. Recommendations to improve PE outcomes include interventions and continuous professional development aimed at enhancing teachers’ knowledge and confidence towards PE, in conjunction with promotion of effective teaching strategies. Maldivian PE programmes and student health-related outcomes could be improved by addressing these barriers.

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PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DURING SCHOOL RECESS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION AMONG DEAF SCHOOL CHILDREN1

Revista Brasileira de Educação Especial ◽

10.1590/1980-54702022v28e0112 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 28 ◽

Author(s):

Paulina Yesica OCHOA MARTÍNEZ ◽

Javier Arturo HALL LÓPEZ ◽

Ana Maria TEIXEIRA

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Education ◽

Primary Education ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Educational Institutions ◽

Fine Motor ◽

Instruction Time ◽

School Recess ◽

Student’S T ◽

Didactic Strategies

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to determine comparatively the physical activity in Physical Education and school recess of hearing-impaired students in Primary Education. Fifty-eigth Physical Education classes and recess in Primary Education were evaluated in a representative way, in specialized educational institutions for people with hearing disabilities. Physical activity was determined using the system for observing fitness instruction time (SOFIT). Inferential statistics, using the Student’s t-test, reported significant differences with more moderate to vigorous physical activity performed during recess than in Physical Education. The same pattern was identified in schoolchildren without diagnosed disabilities. It is recommended that teachers guide the content for the development of coordinating skills that favor the gross and fine motor conditions of this population, implementing didactic strategies that increase the amount of moderate to vigorous activity in Physical Education that is greater than that performed during recess.

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Secondary physical education, participation by sex in moderate to vigorous physical activity (Educación física en secundaria, participación por sexo en actividad física moderada a vigorosa)

Retos ◽

10.47197/retos.v38i38.77152 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 543-546

Author(s):

Javier Arturo Hall-López

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Education ◽

Baja California ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

P Value ◽

Moderate Physical Activity ◽

Instruction Time ◽

El Sistema ◽

Education Participation ◽

Para Determinar

Abstract. Objective: To compare by sex the participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity in secondary school physical education classes. Method: The research design was comparative descriptive, with convenience sampling, 188 adolescents with an average age of 12.5 ± 0.7 enrolled in public secondary schools in the city of Mexicali, Baja California participated. Mexico. The system for observing fitness and instruction time (SOFIT) was used to determine the moderate to vigorous physical activity of 47 physical education classes. Results: The equality of the variance was calculated by the Student t test for independent samples less than α≤ 0.05; finding significant differences of participation in vigorous moderate physical activity lower in women than in men during physical education class (P-Value = .002) with a difference percentage of 32.5 (Δ%) between men and women. Conclusion: In a constructive way, it is recommended to take pedagogical actions with cooperative and simultaneous participation of students in moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least 50% of class time, and guide educational content to involve students in the movement both genders, as established by UNESCO to provide quality physical education. Resumen. Objetivo: Comparar por sexo la participación en actividad física moderada a vigorosa en clases de educación física de secundaria. Método: El diseño de la investigación fue descriptivo comparativo, con muestreo por conveniencia, participaron 188 adolescentes de una edad promedio de 12.5±0.7 matriculados en secundarias públicas de la ciudad de Mexicali, Baja California. México. Se utilizó como instrumento de evaluación el Sistema para observar el tiempo de instrucción de actividad física (SOFIT), para determinar la actividad física moderada a vigorosa de 47 clases de educación física. Resultados: La igualdad de la varianza se calculó mediante la prueba t-Student para muestras independientes resultando por sexo menor a α≤ 0.05; encontrando diferencias significativas de participación en actividad física moderada vigorosa menores en mujeres que en hombre durante la clase de educación física (P-Valor=.002) con un porcentaje de diferencia de 32.5 (Δ%) entre hombres y mujeres. Conclusión: De manera constructiva, se recomienda tomar acciones pedagógicas con participación cooperativa y simultanea de los estudiantes en actividad física moderada a vigorosa por lo menos el 50% del tiempo de la clase, y guiar contenidos educativos para involucrar en el movimiento a los estudiantes de ambos géneros, como lo establece la UNESCO para brindar una educación física de calidad.

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The Influence of Physical Education Lesson Context and Teacher Behaviour on Student Physical Activity in Mexico (La influencia del contexto de la clase de Educación física y de los comportamientos docentes en la actividad física de los alumnos en México)

Retos ◽

10.47197/retos.v0i28.34949 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 160-164

Author(s):

Hoda Gharib ◽

Karla Galavíz ◽

Rebecca E. Lee ◽

Margarita Safdie ◽

Lizbeth Tolentino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Education ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Free Play ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physical Activity Intensity ◽

Game Play ◽

Teacher Behaviour ◽

Activity Intensity ◽

Lesson Context

Abstract. Objective: To explore the influence of physical education (PE) lesson context and teacher behaviour on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in Mexican children during PE class. Methods: Trained observers rated the physical activity intensity (lying down, sitting, standing, walking, vigorous movement) of 232 students from grades 3 to 5, PE lesson context (management, general knowledge, fitness knowledge, fitness, skill practice, game play, free play), and teacher behaviour (promoting fitness, demonstrating, instructing, observing, managing, other task) during PE class in 20 public elementary schools in Mexico City using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT). Regressions with backward elimination were conducted. Results: Class duration was on average 33.6 minutes (SD=7.9). Boys (M=14.8 min, SD=6.8) spent more time in MVPA than girls (M=12.6 min, SD=6.1; p<.01). For boys, a model including game play (b= 1.04, p<.001), skill practice (b=.54, p<.01), and fitness (b =.53, p<.05) explained 45% of the variance in MVPA (p<.05). For girls, a model including fitness (b= .49, p<.05), fitness knowledge (b= .19, p<.05), and other task (b=.35, p<.05) explained 38% of the variance in MVPA (p<.05). Conclusion: Strategies and policies aimed at improving child physical activity levels during PE class should endorse the effective instruction and execution of fitness, game play, skill practice and PE lesson contexts.Resumen. Objetivo: Explorar la influencia del contexto de las clases de educación física (EF) y el comportamiento del maestro en la actividad física moderada-vigorosa (AFMV) en niños mexicanos. Métodos: Usando el método Sistema de Observación del Tiempo de Instrucción de la condición Física (SOFIT). Observadores entrenados midieron la intensidad de la actividad física (acostado, sentado, de pie, caminando, movimiento vigoroso) de 232 estudiantes de 3ro a 5to grado, el contexto de la clase, (gestión, conocimiento general, conocimiento de la condición física, condición física, práctica de habilidades, juego, juego libre), y el comportamiento del maestro (promoción de la condición física, demostración, instrucción, observación, gestión, otra tarea) durante la clase de EF en 20 escuelas públicas de educación primaria de la ciudad de México mediante el SOFIT. Se llevaron a cabo regresiones múltiples. Resultados: La duración promedio de las clases observadas fue de 33,6 minutos (DE = 7,9). Los niños (M = 14,8 min, DE = 6,8) pasaron más tiempo en AFMV que las niñas (M = 12,6 min, DE = 6,1; p <0,01). En niños, el tiempo de clase dedicado al juego (β= 1.04, p <.001), la práctica de habilidades (β = .54, p <.01) y la condición física (β = .53, p <.05) explico el 45% de la varianza en AFMV (p <.05). En niñas, el tiempo de clase dedicado a la condición física (β= .49, p <.05), al conocimiento sobre la condición física (β= .19, p <.05), y otras tarea (β= .35, p <.05) explico el 38% de la varianza en AFMV (p <.05).Para los niños, un modelo incluyendo el juego (b = 1,04, p <0,001), el desarrollo de habilidades prácticas (b = 0,54, p <0,01), y la condición física (b = 0,53, p <0,05) explicaron el 45% de la varianza en AFMV (p <0,05). Para las niñas, un modelo incluyendo la condición física (b = 0,49, p <0,05), el conocimiento de la condición física (b = 0,19, p <0,05), y otras tarea (b = 0,35, p <0,05) explican el 38% de la varianza en AFMV (p <0,05). Conclusión: Las estrategias y políticas encaminadas a la mejora de los niveles de actividad física de los niños durante la clase de EF deben suscribir la enseñanza efectiva y la promoción de la condición física, el juego, y el desarrollo de las habilidades prácticas.

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