Abstract
Background: Physical activity is an important component of leading a healthy life. Public health is one of the nine major sectors for disseminating information about physical activity and increasing the physical activity of the general public.Purpose: Increase competency among Cooperative Extension agents (i.e., public health workers) on selecting, delivering, and evaluating physical activity programs through a theory-based online training program.Methods: Cooperative Extension agents from two states were invited to participate via statewide listservs. Participants were invited to attend sessions, complete competency checks, and between-session assignments each week. The study was conducted using a video conferencing platform. The intervention was 9 weeks from June to July 2020 and had 130 participants. Pre- and post-program surveys included physical activity competencies and validated scales for flourishing and physical activity status. Data for competencies pre and post were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, p < 0.01. Physical activity and flourishing pre and post were compared using t-tests, p < 0.05.Results: Physical activity in public health competency increased significantly (p < 0.00) as did agents' personal physical activity levels (p < 0.05). Changes in flourishing were not significant (p < 0.09) but trended in the hypothesized direction.Conclusions: The online competency-based training program significantly improved Cooperative Extension agents' knowledge of physical activity guidelines and physical activity program implementation. Future work is needed related to the scalability of the training program.
Highlights
Physical activity is a recognized way to stay healthier and reduce comorbidities for people of all ages and abilities (1–4)
Public health workers and officials can help promote the increase of physical activity throughout the community, as well as assist in tracking the proportion of the population that is physically active (3, 4)
While eventual physical activity program uptake by agents is the downstream goal of this work, the purpose of this study was to test the initial reach, and efficacy of a micro-credentialing program developed and evaluated during the 2020 pandemic to increase the competence of extension agents in physical activity guidelines and programming
Summary
Physical activity is a recognized way to stay healthier and reduce comorbidities for people of all ages and abilities (1–4). The scientific evidence and best practices of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAGA) have been translated for public consumption via the United States’ government-sponsored Move Your Way campaign (2). Despite these dissemination efforts and benefits, only 26% of American men and 19% of American women meet the recommendations. Selecting and adapting evidence-based physical activity programs. Ability to select or modify physical activity programs that are appropriate to meet the needs of a specific community or population (29). Purpose: Increase competency among Cooperative Extension agents (i.e., public health workers) on selecting, delivering, and evaluating physical activity programs through a theory-based online training program
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