Evaluating Community-Based Physical Fitness Programs: A Decision-Focused Approach

Abstract

Compelling evidence supports that Community-based Physical Fitness Programs (CPFP) can improve physical fitness and health. However, a central issue in CPFP is the lack of evaluation data from participating communities. The study aimed to evaluate the CPFP of three local communities using Context, Input, Process, Product (CIPP) model. Using a validated tool with a 4.81 mean (SD=0.38) and substantially agreed by three (3) experts (k=0.76), evaluation data were obtained from community members (n=117). This research primarily employed descriptive and correlation analyses to determine the relationships among CIPP elements and demographic profiles of one highly rated CPFP. 117 community members (28% male; 72% female) were evaluated the CPFP of 3 local communities. The context evaluation results showed that only SJC CPFP had a relatively high result with a mean of 4.29 (85.8%). For input evaluation, SJC still had the highest mean of 4.23 (84.6%), as compared to SCM 3.93 (78.6%) and PC 3.67 (73.4%). SJC remained at the top in the process evaluation, with the highest mean of 4.30 (86%). While on product evaluation, all communities had close mean scores of 4.4 (88%) SJC, 3.9 (78%) SCM, and 4.1 (82%) PC. Correlations among data revealed that SJC context and input evaluation results had a significant relationship with sex and age. There was meager participation of males compared to females and even young members compared to older members. While CPFP among communities received good evaluation results, there is still a need to reinforce the program due to lack of pre-implementation assessment and integration of vision-mission, goals, and objectives (context). There should also be a re-structuring of precise action plans (input), a variety of activities (process), and consistent program outcomes evaluation (product). Lastly, the correlated evaluation data suggested the need for a more personalized, gender-sensitive, and age-friendly CPFP. This study provides CPFP administrators with comprehensive data that can assist them in making sound decisions for program improvement.