School-Based Physical Activity Promotion: Maximizing Minutes

1. School-Based Physical Activity Promotion: Maximizing Minutes Aaron Beighle, Ph.D. University of Kentucky Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion

2. Schools and Health Public health and schools Vaccinations School lunch programs School nurses Schools can impact the health of youth

3. Health and Learning Healthier students are better learners Educationally relevant health issues Vision and Hearing Pregnancy Violence Nutrition Inattention Hyperactivity Physical Inactivity Others

4. Health and Learning Health impacts learning through causal pathways Cognition Misbehavior Attendance Drop out Attentiveness Connection Motivation

5. Physical Activity: A leading health indicator Physical activity impacts: Obesity Heart Disease Mental Health Musculoskeletal Disorders Hyperactivity Inattentiveness Behavior

6. Physical Activity and Learning Improves cognition via blood flow to the brain Decreases misbehavior Increases attentiveness Improves concentration Enhanced memory Improved math and reading skills Improved comprehension

7. Fitness, Exercise, or Activity? Fitness: A set of attributes that people have or achieve relating to their ability to perform physical activity (USDHHS, 1996) Exercise: Leisure time physical activity conducted with the intention of developing physical fitness. Physical Activity (PA): Bodily movement that is produced by the contraction of skeletal muscle and that substantially increases energy expenditure (USDHHS, 1996)

8. Limiting Factors on Fitness Test Performance

9. Is Fitness the Right Goal for Youth? Fitness is a product that many can’t reach, no matter how hard they try, so they quit trying Sends the wrong message, If you pass the test you are healthy and don’t need to be active If you fail the test and are active, it says you are unfit…so why try? Some people are non-responders to fitness activities Risk winning the battle and losing the war

11. Schools and Physical Activity Promotion Schools as leaders in PA promotion Efforts must assist schools with meeting their objectives Cost effective Unobtrusive User friendly Sustainable Programs must be multifaceted

12. Who leads the leader? Physical Activity Coordinator (PAC) Physical educator Health Educators Extension Agents/Family Resource Personnel Nurses Who has the training to promote physical activity? Physical educators must be the leaders of comprehensive school-based physical activity promotion...the culture.

13. Comprehensive School-Based Physical Activity Program Quality Physical Education Classroom based physical activity Recess/Activity breaks Out of school programs School wide programs Staff wellness Community Involvement Parent/Family events

14. Quality Physical Education Organized around content standards State National Student centered Teacher centered? Focuses on PA and makes it the core of the program Prepares students for a lifetime of activity Success Attitudes, skills, and knowledge 30 minutes of quality PE can contribute 20% of a child’s physical activity per day (Morgan, Beighle, et al, 2005)

15. Classroom Physical Activity Time for physical activity does not decrease academic achievement Physical activity breaks in the classroom remove barriers to learning Low energy, behavior issues, inattentiveness Physical activity can be used to teach academic content Physical activity breaks can be used to increase daily physical activity

16. Recess/Activity Breaks Small breaks throughout the day or one recess? Eliminate taking recess away as punishment Use “extra breaks” as a reward Organize activities during breaks Strategies for increasing activity during recess PE taught activities Recess Aides Activity Zones Semi-structured recess

17. Out – of – School Programs Before and activity school clubs Maximize the use of gyms Collaborate with existing programs PDs for after school staff Activity ideas for staff (PE content) Recruit teachers to assist

18. School Wide Initiatives Active transport to school Walking school bus, Safe routes to school, etc. Point of decision prompts Safety Teacher involvement Staff wellness program

19. Community Outreach YMCAs, Parks and Rec Rails to Trails Wellness Centers Boys and Girls Clubs Business sponsored PE

20. Parent Involvement Parents impact student physical activity levels PE nights/Demo nights Physical activity homework/Activity Calendar Parent volunteers in PE Active Open House

21. Getting started Designate a coordinator Form a committee Teachers, administrators, SBDM, parents, local organizations, etc. Start small Develop a long-term plan Meet with other PA coordinators/Network Be persistent

22. What it could mean

23. What principals have said (Anecdotal data) “It’s a culture” “We want to be a part of that” “Our teachers love it” “It has changed our school” “Parents say, ‘We didn’t do that when I was a kid’”

24. Take Home Message Healthier students learn better Physically active students are healthier Physical activity impacts student behavior, attention, and cognition CSPAP can impact student health and learning simultaneously