Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of a daily physical education lesson in Austrian schools

Abstract

Abstract Background Encouraging physical activity among school children is vital for their overall health and well-being. This study aims to evaluate the potential impact of implementing a daily physical activity unit in Austrian schools and to identify areas for optimization of the implementation plan to ensure maximum health benefits. Methods The HIA systematically followed several stages including screening and scoping, appraisal and formulation of recommendations. The study included a review of literature, an online survey (n = 712), four online focus group discussions, and two online appraisal workshops with stakeholders. Results The HIA identified several considerations for implementing the daily physical activity unit model, including promoting equity, ensuring high-quality implementation, and integrating five additional units of physical activity per week into the Austrian school curriculum. Results show that 62% of the respondents are in favor of integrating sports clubs more strongly into everyday school life in the future. Regarding additional personal effort of the pedagogical staff, 45% of the participants of the online survey indicated neutral or no effects, 30% (very) positive effects and 20% suspected (very) negative effects. Conclusions The results suggest that the daily physical activity unit model has overall positive effects on individual student health, social and community networks, living and working conditions in the school environment, and the system level. Promoting equal opportunities and supporting disadvantaged children and schools is important. Additionally, organizational, and structural differences of the respective school types and regions, availability of sufficient infrastructure, and appropriate selection of pilot regions must be considered. The binding nature/voluntariness of the physical activity units as well as high-quality implementation, training of teachers and coaches, and focusing on the elementary/kindergarten level are recommended. Key messages • Recommendations for implementation include ensuring equal opportunity and support for disadvantaged children and schools. • The integration of five additional physical activity classes per week and a greater focus on the elementary/kindergarten level were identified as important.