A Qualitative Inquiry of Females’ Experiences With a Novel High School Intramural Program

Abstract

Adolescent females’ disengagement from physical education, physical activity, and sport has been well documented. Participating in a quality intramural program could help to increase rates of adolescent females’ engagement in physical activity at school. This study was conducted with female students in four high schools in south-central Canada. A school-specific organizing committee consisting of an outside expert, teacher-lead, and several female student-facilitators designed and implemented a new optional intramural program rooted in best practices to 483 female students. Semistructured focus group interviews were held with 25 student-facilitators before and after the intramural intervention. There was a noticeable reduction in the females’ perceived barriers to being engaged in physical activity at school after the program intervention. Accommodating the intrapersonal, inter­personal, and environmental needs of adolescent females may help intramurals to counter the allure of more sedentary options at school.