scholarly journals Simplistic policy, skewed consequences: Taking stock of English physical education, school sport and physical activity policy since 2013

2020 ◽  
pp. 1356336X2093911
Author(s):  
Iain Lindsey ◽  
Sarah Metcalfe ◽  
Adam Gemar ◽  
Josie Alderman ◽  
Joe Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Policy Instruments ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
School Sport ◽  
Policy Goals ◽  
Physical Activity Policy ◽  
Health Related

The period from 2013 to 2019 was one of relative continuity in policies for physical education (PE), school sport and physical activity (PESSPA) in England. Starting from the advent of the government’s flagship PE and Sport Premium (PES Premium) initiative in 2013, the end of the period was reached 20 with renewed uncertainty in 2020 about the future of PESSPA policy. It is therefore an appropriate point for this article to ‘take stock’ of PESSPA policies and their consequences since 2013. The political science literature on policy design underpins the approach to considering the mix of both policy goals and those instruments used by governments to achieve them. To do so, a comprehensive set of policy documents, published reports, academic literature and empirical research on schools’ use of the PES Premium was interrogated. Policy goals articulated by government since 2013 reinforced, rather than resolved, long-standing debates about the purpose of PESSPA. Health-related objectives rose in prominence, but sat uneasily alongside continued commitments to competitive sport. Only a narrow range of the policy instruments available to governments were used in pursuit of their policy goals. PES Premium funding was solely distributed to primary schools, with limited use of regulation and information systems to shape PESSPA provision. These aspects of policy design contributed to increasing reliance on external coaches in primary schools and indicators of a decline in secondary school provision and participation, resonant of prioritisation of short-term approaches over longer-term strategic development. Possibilities for improving future PESSPA policies are considered as a result.

scholarly journals Effect of Linear and Nonlinear Pedagogy Physical Education Interventions on Children’s Physical Activity: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (SAMPLE-PE)

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Matteo Crotti ◽  
James R. Rudd ◽  
Simon Roberts ◽  
Lynne M. Boddy ◽  
Katie Fitton Davies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Usual Practice ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Children’S Physical Activity ◽  
Pedagogical Approaches

Background: School-based interventions are a key opportunity to improve children’s physical activity (PA); however, there is lack of evidence about how pedagogical approaches to motor learning in physical education (PE) might affect PA in children. Therefore, this study aimed to assess how different pedagogical approaches in PE might affect children’s PA. Methods: Participants (n = 360, 5–6 years) from 12 primary schools within the SAMPLE-PE randomized controlled trial were randomly allocated to either Linear Pedagogy (LP: n = 3) or Nonlinear Pedagogy (NP: n = 3) interventions, where schools received a 15-week PE intervention delivered by trained coaches, or to a control group (n = 6), where schools followed usual practice. ActiGraph GT9X accelerometers were used to assess PA metrics (moderate-to-vigorous PA, mean raw acceleration and lowest acceleration over the most active hour and half hour) over whole and segmented weeks at baseline, immediately post-intervention and 6 months follow-up. Intention to treat analysis employing multilevel modelling was used to assess intervention effects. Results: LP and NP interventions did not significantly affect children’s PA levels compared to the control group. Conclusion: PE interventions based on LP and NP alone might not be effective in improving habitual PA in children.

scholarly journals Policy Instruments for Health Promotion: A Comparison of WHO Policy Guidance for Tobacco, Alcohol, Nutrition and Physical Activity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Gelius ◽  
Sven Messing ◽  
Antonina Tcymbal ◽  
Stephen Whiting ◽  
João Breda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
National Level ◽  
Policy Instruments ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Prevention Policy ◽  
Regional Office ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽  
Policy Fields

Background: Policy is an important element of influencing individual health-related behaviours associated to major risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy eating and physical inactivity. However, our understanding of the specific measures recommended in NCD prevention policy-making remains limited. This study analysed recent World Health Organization (WHO) documents to identify common policy instruments suggested for national NCD prevention policy and to assess similarities and differences between policies targeting different health-related behaviours. Methods: Evert Vedung’s typology of policy instruments, which differentiates between regulatory, economic/ fiscal and soft instruments, served as a basis for this analysis. A systematic search on WHO websites was conducted to identify documents relating to tobacco, alcohol, nutrition and physical activity. The staff of the respective units at the WHO Regional Office for Europe conducted an expert validation of these documents. The resulting documents were systematically searched for policy instruments. A word frequency analysis was conducted to estimate the use of individual instruments in the different policy fields, followed by an additional in-depth coding and content analysis by two independent reviewers. Results: Across all health-related behaviours, the following policy instruments were suggested most frequently in WHO guidance documents: laws, regulations, standards, taxes, prices, campaigns, recommendations, partnerships and coordination. The analysis showed that regulatory and economic/fiscal policy instruments are mainly applied in tobacco and alcohol policy, while soft instruments dominate in the fields of nutrition and especially physical activity. Conclusion: The study confirms perceived differences regarding recommended policy instruments in the different policy fields and supports arguments that "harder" instruments still appear to be underutilized in nutrition and physical activity. However, more comprehensive research is needed, especially with respect to actual instrument use and effectiveness in national-level NCD prevention policy.

Curricular Physical Activity and Academic Performance

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy J. Shephard
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Psychomotor Development ◽  
Release Time ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
School Students ◽  
The Impact

Advocates of quality daily physical education for prepubescent children frequently encounter the argument that such initiatives will harm academic progress. The impact of daily physical education upon the academic performance of primary school students is thus reviewed with particular reference to studies conducted in Vanves (France), Australia, and Trois Rivières (Québec). When a substantial proportion of curricular time (14–26%) is allocated to physical activity, learning seems to proceed more rapidly per unit of classroom time, so that academic performance matches, and may even exceed, that of control students. Children receiving additional physical education show an acceleration of their psychomotor development, and this could provide a mechanism for accelerated learning of academic skills. Other potential mechanisms include increased cerebral blood flow, greater arousal, changes in hormone levels, enhanced nutrient intake, changes in body build, and increased self esteem. Academic teachers may also favor the enhanced physical education program, creating “halo” effects, and the resulting release time may enhance their academic teaching. Irrespective of mechanisms, the implication for public policy is that daily required physical education can be introduced when a child enters primary school without compromising academic development. Given the importance of establishing positive health habits from an early age, school boards should be encouraged to follow a policy of required daily physical activity in primary schools. Evidence of specific benefit in students with learning disabilities remains less convincing.

Classroom teachers’ and administrators’ views of teaching health and physical education

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 448-464
Author(s):  
Dominique Banville ◽  
Ben Dyson ◽  
Pamela H Kulinna ◽  
Michalis Stylianou
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
National Curriculum ◽  
Classroom Teachers ◽  
Health And Physical Education ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand

Teacher efficacy influences what and how they teach. This may be particularly important to consider in Aotearoa New Zealand contexts where primary classroom teachers teach health and physical education and use physical activity breaks with little training. It remains unclear how classroom teachers perceive this role and how to better support them. The purpose of this study was to investigate classroom teachers’ and administrators’ views of teaching health and physical education, including physical activity behaviours, in primary schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. Participants were 10 teachers and three administrators from two schools selected as a purposive sample. Data were collected through formal interviews, field notes, and photographs, and were analysed using inductive analysis and constant comparison. The findings are shared using four themes: (a) support for physical activity breaks; (b) support for curriculum content in health and physical education and ‘Kiwi’ sport culture; (c) teachers’ influence level; and (d) school environment. Overall, teachers and administrators felt very efficacious in their roles of creating healthy and active schools. These teachers also appeared to be confused regarding the difference between physical education, sport, and physical activity. They did feel, however, that instructional self-efficacy could be improved through enhanced content and pedagogy taught in teacher education programmes, and increased opportunities for professional learning and development. Potentially, this could lead to more time spent teaching the health and physical education content as well as a greater focus on the national curriculum for health and physical education being taught in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Effectiveness of a Two-Year Health-Related Physical Education Intervention in Elementary Schools

2007 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie J.M. Verstraete ◽  
Greet M. Cardon ◽  
Dirk L.R. De Clercq ◽  
Ilse M.M. De Bourdeaudhuij
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Elementary Schools ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Education Intervention ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Accelerometer Data ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Intervention Condition

The study aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 2-year health-related physical education intervention in a pretest-posttest design. Sixteen elementary schools (764 pupils, mean age: 11.2 ± 0.7) participated in the study. Schools were randomly assigned to the intervention condition (n = 8) and the control condition (n = 8). Making use of direct observation data gathered according to SOFIT (System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time), the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity engagement during physical education classes was significantly higher in the intervention condition than in the control condition. Children’s moderate-to-vigorous physical activity engagement during physical education lessons increased with 14% in the intervention condition (from 42 to 56%). No significant effects were found on the accelerometer data. The health-related physical education intervention was found to be promising in promoting physical activity during physical education classes.

scholarly journals Psychosocial and Physical Benefits of Exercise Among Rural Secondary School Students

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 14-18
Author(s):  
Alliance Kubayi Ntwanano ◽  
Eric Pule
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
School Students ◽  
School Sport ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Physically Attractive ◽  
Practical Implications

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the benefits of physical exercise among secondary school students. Participants in the study were 251 students (120 boys and 131 girls) attending three public secondary schools in the Hlanganani rural area of South Africa. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data. Results of this study indicated that students exercised to be with their friends, to be physically attractive and compete with others. The findings of this study have practical implications for promoting participation in physical activity among students in rural schools. In an effort to promote physical activity participation, schools should be provided with quality sports infrastructure and funding so that they can implement school sport programmes. Finally, the teaching of physical education should be emphasised in schools as it is the cornerstone for children’s involvement in physical activity.

scholarly journals Physical Activity Levels in Physical Education Lessons at Singapore Primary School

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-123
Author(s):  
Nur Syahida Binte Jamaluddin ◽  
Masato Kawabata
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Dominant Hand ◽  
Physical Activity Intensity ◽  
Activity Intensity ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Physical education (PE) lessons are the appropriate occasions to promote physical activity for children. Although the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels during PE lessons were investigated in several countries, MVPA levels during PE lessons were never reported at Singapore primary schools. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate physical activity intensity levels during PE lessons at a Singapore primary school. A total of 93 students (40 girls) voluntary participated in the study: 28 in Grade 1, 39 in Grade 4, and 26 in Grade 6. They were asked to wear an accelerometer on their non-dominant hand in two PE lessons to measure physical activity levels objectively. They also completed questionnaires on their experiences during the PE lessons. The average of the MVPA levels time (%) in the scheduled lesson time across the three grades was 46.98 ± 5.25%, but the average of the MVPA levels time (%) in the actual lesson time was 69.74 ± 7.31%. These results indicated that it would be possible to achieve the recommended MVPA time in PE lessons. The findings of this study would be useful for PE teachers to reflect whether their PE lessons are efficient to promote primary school student’s physical activity levels.

scholarly journals Introduction of aerobics in classes on physical education of student youth

2020 ◽  
pp. 67-70
Author(s):  
S. Duditska ◽  
Y. Zoriy ◽  
A. Hakman
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
The Body ◽  
Theoretical Interpretation ◽  
Rhythmic Gymnastics ◽  
Fitness Industry ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Sports And Physical Activity ◽  
Fitness Programs ◽  
Definition Of

Wellness fitness uses a large arsenal tools of various sports and physical activity. The development of the fitness industry contributes to the expansion and requires classification and definition of methodological features that determine the use of appropriate means. Health-improving fitness classes require students to have knowledge of the fundamentals of the methodology for introducing the selected types of physical activity. This article summarizes the information about the content of selective focus health related aerobics using practical material for the development of basic physical qualities and motor skills of student youth. The purpose of the study is to analyze the content of health aerobics classes and the introduction of modern fitness programs and technologies related to the development of abilities to solve motor and sports problems in physical education of student youth. The study was performed at the theoretical and analytical level. In the process of research we used the following methods: analysis of literature sources, methods of theoretical interpretation (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, generalization). Conclusions. In turn, regular aerobics and rhythmic gymnastics in combination with other types of wellness fitness have a health-improving and training effect on the body. The variety of fitness programs does not mean the arbitrariness of their construction - the used of different types of physical activity must comply with the basic principles of physical education. Experts in the experiment to determine the effectiveness of aerobics concluded that as a result of classes students have improved metabolism, normalized cardiovascular and respiratory systems, increased immunity to various diseases and help lift the mood.

scholarly journals Implementing Sport, Physical Activity and Physical Education in New South Wales, Australia, primary schools

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
John R. Evans ◽  
Christina Curry
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Teaching Approach ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
South Wales

A renewed focus on Physical Education in New South Wales primary schools has the potential to act as an intervention that has positive long-term implications for the whole population. The introduction of physical education (PE) as part of the National Curriculum means the role of PE in Australian primary schools is now open for renewed attention. The rise of an international obesity epidemic means that that the role of PE in primary schools has the potential to make a positive impact on public health outcomes. There could be significant long term savings from well-organized PE programs in primary schools delivered by teaching staff educated in quality physical education. In addition there is also an historical and emerging body of research which links physical activity to academic performance. However not all teachers in primary schools have the skills or life experiences to effectively teach PE. In order to achieve these outcomes we posit that the use of a Game Centered Teaching approach and the use of an underlying pedagogy have the potential to provide more meaningful experiences for students and teachers. In order to implement a Game Centered Teaching approach we advocate the use of specialist PE teachers rather than outsourcing the delivery of PE in schools.

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