Reliability of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children Checklist in Greek School Environment

Sports in elementary school: Physical education specialists vs. group teachers

Elementary school physical education (PE) can play a unique role in providing educational experiences to students and may support physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development (Institute of Medicine, 2013). Studies illustrate that PE programs can improve the possibility of achieving student learning outcomes only when appropriately designed and delivered (Rink & Hall, 2008). Research suggests that students' early experiences with PE are mainly led by elementary school teachers (Kirk, 2005). Globally, in several countries, either classroom teachers (i.e., a teacher who teaches every subject; a generalist), or PE specialists (i.e., a teacher who mainly teaches PE), have the responsibility to teach elementary PE (Dyson et al., 2018; Faulkner et al., 2008). For instance, in South Korea's elementary education system, PE is a required subject, and most PE classes are taught by classroom teachers rather than specialists (Jo & Lee, 2012). Classroom teachers are best suited to teach the child-centered, integrated curriculum in elementary schools, and hence often teach PE as one element of that curriculum (Coulter et al., 2009). However, some teachers believe that elementary level PE engagement experiences inadequately prepared children for accomplishing PE learning outcomes and physically active lifestyle (Hardman, 2008; Jess, Keay, & Carse, 2016). In other words, in order for classroom teachers to successfully teach PE, they need to consider a dynamic combination of adaptation in school contexts, teaching various subjects, and understanding different students' developmental characteristics (Tinning & Rossi, 2013). Additionally, classroom teachers’ beliefs that they are not qualified to teach PE adversely affects their PE teaching confidence (Harris, Cale, & Musson, 2012; Morgan & Bourke, 2008). Examination of classroom teachers’ different perspectives on teaching PE is particularly vital as an avenue for developing effective teacher education programs (Hunter, 2006). However, this aspect of elementary PE taught by classroom teachers is still unknown due to a relative scarcity of research studies in this area (Kirk, 2005, p. 247). Therefore, this paper provides an overview and discussion of illustrative findings of research conducted on classroom teachers’ perceptions of teaching PE. The author conducted an exhaustive search of published research articles via three major databases: Google Scholar, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), and Web of Science. The search terms included elementary school classroom teacher, primary school classroom teacher, generalist, non-specialist, physical education, perception, experience, practice, barrier, belief, and value (see Figure 1). Using the resulting articles, the review is organized into the following themes (Thomas & Harden, 2008): (a) apprehension of teaching PE, (b) different perceptions of value for PE classes, and (c) ecological perspectives in teaching PE.

Physical education (PE) research has largely been preoccupied with mainstream (regular) schools. This article reports on part of a larger research project that centralises special school PE. In particular, Gramsci’s conceptualisations of hegemony, power and ideology are utilised to help shed light on the key factors that shape the culture of special school PE. A number of key themes were constructed from twelve interviews with special school senior leaders and PE teachers including, ‘economic climate: budgetary constraints’, ‘access to appropriate facilities and learning spaces’ and ‘pressures from Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) and senior management team’. These findings demonstrate how particular historical and contemporary factors contribute to the positioning of PE in special schools. The status and value of PE in these settings is sometimes considered less favourably than other areas of the curriculum or indeed mainstream PE. In spite of this, staff tasked with delivering special school PE had the desire and creativity to offer engaging experiences. In concluding we note that issues concerning economic constraints, limited space to deliver PE and pressures associated with Ofsted can be found in many mainstream schools too. However, honing in on the particular circumstances within special schools broadens insight about PE in contemporary schools.

The primary responsibility for engaging children in opportunities to be physically active and learn physical skills rests with school physical education. This study evaluated the effects of a combined health-related curriculum and inservice program on the quantity and quality of elementary school physical education lessons. Seven schools (N = 28 fourth-grade classes) in one district were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: 10 classes were taught in their usual manner by classroom teachers (Control [CO]); 10 classes were taught by trained classroom teachers (TT) who received inservice training and follow-up consultations; and 8 classes were taught by physical education specialists (PES) hired by the research project. Student activity level, curriculum context, and teacher behavior were directly observed and coded during a sample of 112 lessons over an 8-month period. Results indicated significant differences in both the frequency and mean length of classes (PES, 26.7 min; TT, 23.4 min; CO, 18.9 min). Additionally, the curriculum and inservice program equipped trained classroom teachers to provide significantly better classes than were provided by controls in terms of student activity engagement, lesson context, and active instructional behavior, though their classes did not match the quality of those taught by the physical education specialists. This study is unique in its use of direct observation of lessons to assess a curriculum and inservice intervention.

This study aims to examine the role of the Formula 1 game model (Run, Jump, Throw) in locomotor activity. The method in this study uses a qualitative approach to the type of literature study. This study seeks to explore document studies regarding the study of the Formula 1 game model (Run, Jump, Throw) in general and then relate it to the physical learning process in SDN 67 Palembang. Because nature of physical education in elementary schools is an educational process that aims to build the growth and development of students from the physical, intellectual, movement skill, and attitude aspects that are carried out through physical activity or gestures so that they become healthy, intelligent, skilled human beings, and virtuous character so that it can have a good influence on the quality of his life in the future. It is necessary to pay attention to the implementation of physical education in schools because in supporting the growth and development of students it is also determined by the implementation of physical education in schools. Physical education teachers must be more creative in optimizing the developed facilities and infrastructure. If the physical education teacher is creative, then he is able to create something new, or modify an existing one, but present it in the most attractive way possible, so that students will be more interested and enjoy participating in the physical education learning process.

A renewed focus on Physical Education in New South Wales primary schools has the potential to act as an intervention that has positive long-term implications for the whole population. The introduction of physical education (PE) as part of the National Curriculum means the role of PE in Australian primary schools is now open for renewed attention. The rise of an international obesity epidemic means that that the role of PE in primary schools has the potential to make a positive impact on public health outcomes. There could be significant long term savings from well-organized PE programs in primary schools delivered by teaching staff educated in quality physical education. In addition there is also an historical and emerging body of research which links physical activity to academic performance. However not all teachers in primary schools have the skills or life experiences to effectively teach PE. In order to achieve these outcomes we posit that the use of a Game Centered Teaching approach and the use of an underlying pedagogy have the potential to provide more meaningful experiences for students and teachers. In order to implement a Game Centered Teaching approach we advocate the use of specialist PE teachers rather than outsourcing the delivery of PE in schools.

The objective of this study was to analyze independently the results of a 'sport test' that had been conducted in Japanese schools for 34 years without interruption, and to examine how physical education in Japanese schools affects health promotion in youths and what problems remain to be solved. The source of materials for the present study were the Annual Reports on the Survey of Physical Fitness and Athletic Ability for the period 1965-1998, published by the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture. Means and standard deviations of total scores from physical fitness and athletic ability tests in 11-year-olds (6th graders in elementary school), 14-year-olds (3rd graders in junior high school) and 17-year-olds (3rd graders in senior high school) were analyzed. The results of this study suggest that the trends of changes in mean score and coefficient of variation (CV) for physical fitness and athletic ability in Japanese youths are associated with the outcome of physical training through physical education in school, as well as the effect of the media--mainly television and television games. (1) The increase in mean scores and the decrease in CV observed from 1964 to the first half of the 1970s were probably due to the positive influence of the Guideline for Teaching. This guideline emphasized a systematic approach to athletic techniques, together with active practice of physical fitness training in schools, under the directives of the Boards of Education in response to the social 'Physical Fitness Campaign' policy at that time. (2) The leveling off of mean scores and CVs observed from the early half of the 1970s to the later half of the 1980s might be a result of the invasion of television into Japanese family life. (3) The decrease in mean scores and increase in CV observed since the later half of the 1980s were assumed to be caused by the negative influence of a Guideline for Teaching characterized by the key words 'Physical Education for More Pleasure' and a steep increase in the number of television games. (4) In terms of methodology, analyzing not only the mean scores but also the CV probably provided a more accurate evaluation of the outcome of health promotion in youths. In conclusion, strategies for health promotion in youths, especially for proper nurturing of physical fitness and athletic ability, should include not only delivery of physical fitness training in schools, but also continuous monitoring of multiple indicators, and ensuring proper 'Learning of the Body'. The latter should include providing learning opportunities centering on the 'body' (not the 'body' for the sake of labour or military manpower, but one's own 'body' per se); guiding young people to recognize the states of their own body and physical fitness, and to understand how they can be improved. To be effective in implementation, the need to increase the number of professional teachers in physical education should be examined. All possible opportunities should also be taken to inform youths of the negative effects of television and television games, and to encourage them to spend less time on these and more time being physically active from the moment they arise.

Objective: In many countries, physical education (PE) is taught by classroom teachers (generalists) during the formative years of elementary school. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical and psychological outcomes of multi-sports PE taught by qualified PE teachers (specialists) and how they contribute to children’s physical and mental health development. Design: Experimental study with non-random assignment. Setting: Four elementary schools in Italy (Rome) stratified by urban district. Method: One hundred and twenty-five upper elementary school children (10-11 years) were assigned to an eight month multi-sports or traditional PE programme taught by a PE specialist or a generalist, respectively. Pre- and post-intervention tests assessed children’s fitness (aerobic fitness, abdominal strength and endurance, and hamstring flexibility) and coordination (kinesthetic discrimination ability, response orientation ability), goal (task and ego) orientation, perceived physical ability and social self-efficacy. Multivariate and univariate analyses of variance were performed on physical and psychological test measures. Results: The results demonstrated that the multi-sports approach to PE induced more pronounced improvements in aerobic fitness and kinesthetic discrimination ability, as well as small but significant improvements in task orientation, ego orientation and social self-efficacy, when compared to traditional PE taught by a generalist. Conclusions: A multi-sports approach to elementary school PE contributes to the development of children’s physical fitness and goal orientations, which support engagement in physical activity. These findings highlight the role of qualified PE specialists and multi-sport, skill-based curricula to obtain positive physical and psychological outcomes that may facilitate the development of a healthy child.

Documentada la práctica profusa de juegos populares y tradicionales en los municipios por donde transcurre el Camino Portugués a su entrada en Galicia, este estudio tiene como objetivo principal analizar las prácticas lúdicas y tradicionales en los municipios por donde transcurre el último tramo del Camino Central Portugués (de Porto a Valença do Minho), su transferencia al ámbito escolar e identificar otras prácticas de actividad física y deportiva realizadas por la población en este contexto. Se optó por una metodología cualitativa, empleando la entrevista personal semiestructurada como instrumento para la obtención de datos. La muestra de estudio está compuesta por 27 personas: 9 técnicos deportivos de Cámaras Municipales, 9 docentes de Escuela Básica de primer ciclo (no especialistas en Educación Física) y 9 docentes de Escuela Básica de segundo ciclo (especialistas en Educación Física). Se registró una baja práctica de juegos tradicionales en estos municipios, donde el juego de Malha constituye la excepción más resaltable de este grupo de prácticas lúdicas, y donde se constató que la práctica de juegos populares y tradicionales en los centros educativos es escasa y esporádica. La riqueza lúdica portuguesa debería ser tenida en mejor consideración por las autoridades, focalizando el trabajo de promoción y recuperación en las escuelas, lugares idóneos para este tipo de proyectos lúdico-sociales.Abstract. Due to the widespread practice of traditional and popular games in the municipalities on the Portuguese Way close to the border with Galicia, the principal objective of this study is to analyze game and traditional practices in the municipalities on the last section of the Central Portuguese Way (from Porto to Valença do Minho), to study their application within the school environment, and to identify other practices of physical and sports activities carried out by the population in this setting. We opted for a qualitative methodology, using personal semi-structured interviews as a tool for obtaining data. The study sample was composed of 27 people: 9 sports technicians from Municipal Chambers, 9 teachers from first-cycle elementary schools (non-specialists in Physical Education) and 9 teachers from second-cycle elementary schools (Physical Education specialists). A low practice of traditional games was evidenced in these municipalities, Malha games being the most popular group of recreational practices. Results also stressed out that the practice of popular and traditional games in schools is scarce and sporadic. Portuguese abundancy of games should be taken into higher consideration by authorities, focusing on their promotion and revival in schools, ideal locations for this type of playful-social projects.

The Third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study: Summary and Implications

The article provides an analysis of the programmatic and methodological support for the discipline "Gymnastics and Methods of Its Teaching" in the training of specialists in physical education and sports at Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University. It outlines the content of the main theoretical knowledge areas, as well as the list of skills and competencies that students must acquire to achieve a high professional level. The training of teachers for gymnastics instruction requires a comprehensive approach that includes both theoretical and practical preparation. It is essential to consider modern teaching methods and provide students with the necessary resources to develop their professional competencies. This will contribute to improving gymnastics instruction in schools and fostering the physical development of students. Teachers' competencies in this field are multifaceted, encompassing both in-depth theoretical knowledge and confident practical skills. Although educators may face challenges such as insufficient preparation or concerns about safety, there are significant opportunities for enhancement through professional development. Providing future teachers with the required knowledge and confidence will enable them to effectively teach gymnastics and improve the quality of physical education in schools. The discipline "Gymnastics and Methods of Its Teaching" in the presented program ensures the effective preparation of future specialists of Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University in the field of physical education and sports. Many students have an insufficient level of knowledge and skills in gymnastics. This raises concerns about their future professional competence in teaching this important module. Such a situation highlights the need to implement modern and effective teaching methods that will not only improve students' training but also spark their interest in studying gymnastics. Overall, the program effectively stimulates students' practical activities but requires improvement in balancing different types of work across semesters.

The Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH) was the largest school-based field trial ever sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. The trial demonstrated positive changes in the school food service and physical education program, as well as in students' cardiovascular health behaviors. Because the CATCH intervention programs were implemented in 56 schools (in four states) that were typical of schools throughout the United States, their reception by schools and degree of implementation provide evidence about their feasibility for schools nationally. Extensive process evaluation data were collected from students, teachers, school food service personnel, and physical education specialists throughout the three school years of the CATCH intervention. Four of the CATCH programs--school food service, physical education, classroom curricula, and home programs--were assessed over the three school years. The process data provide information on participation, dose, fidelity, and compatibility of the CATCH programs in the intervention schools for these programs. High levels of participation, dose, fidelity, and compatibility were observed for the four programs during the 3 school years. CATCH emerges as a model of a feasible multilevel health promotion program to improve eating and exercise behaviors for elementary schools in the United States.

Effects of the CATCH physical education intervention: teacher type and lesson location

Learning objectives By engaging with the text in this chapter, students will be able to: recognise the importance of proficient movement skills in everyday life define Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) develop an understanding of the key specific signs and symptoms of DCD and the effect of DCD on behaviour and performance in the classroom and the playground identify the effect of movement difficulties on the holistic development of children consider current thinking and theories on movement difficulties and how these impact on teaching practices recognise the need for effective early intervention for the majority of children with movement difficulties and provide best practice in the classroom, the playground and during physical education. Ian is teaching the Year 4 class, and although there is a physical education specialist who takes the children for 50 minutes each week, Ian is aware that this is not enough time to address fitness parameters as well as develop skills. Ian decides that he will take the children out for physical education three extra times each week, working with the specialist to formulate developmentally appropriate programs for his class. During a session early on in the year, Ian notices that two of the boys have many problems with movement skills. They show great difficulty in planning and executing their movements in games requiring catching and throwing and they look uncoordinated in locomotor skills such as running and skipping. Ian also notices that these boys have difficulty in dressing themselves after in-term swimming lessons and seem to require lots of assistance with buttons and shoelaces. One of the boys struggles to produce legible handwriting and the other boy is never organised with his pens, pencils and appropriate books to start work in the morning. It seems to Ian that, unlike the other children, the boy’s equipment is always all over the place instead of in his drawer or bag. Ian decides to speak to the physical education specialist; however, as the specialist only sees the class once each week, he is unaware of any difficulties the boys are having other than they are the last to be picked for games. The specialist puts this down to the fact that they are both disruptive and no one really wants them on their team. He assures Ian that if they just try harder, they will improve like the other children.

Food prices and weight gain during elementary school: 5-year update