Abstract
Effectiveness of school-based physical activity (PA) initiatives is not only measured by short term impact on PA levels, but on modifiable determinants of PA such as perceptions and motivations towards PA engagement. These determinants predict more long-term effects and, when it comes to PA promotion, are potentially influenced not only by “what we do” but “the way that we do it”. “The Active School Flag” is a whole school process-oriented physical activity initiative that aims to get more schools, more active, more often. In this exploratory study, a mixed methods research approach is taken to examine the differential impact of the Active School Flag compared to the outcome-oriented PA initiative “The Daily Mile” on measured PA and perceptions of PA, in Irish primary school children. Accelerometry data (n = 124; 41% girls) and focus group data (n = 24; 50% girls) were collected from four schools of low socio-economic status at baseline and follow up (eight months later). Two schools implemented the Active School Flag initiative and two implemented the Daily Mile initiative. Contrasting trajectories in PA levels were observed over time with Daily Mile participants demonstrating a significant decrease in PA levels from baseline to follow up (P = 0.004), and Active School Flag participants demonstrating a significant increase (P over the same timeframe. This meant that while Daily Mile participants had significantly higher levels of PA at baseline compared to Active School Flag participants (P , Active School Flag participants experien ced a positive trajectory which saw them to “catch up” to TDM participants by follow up.From a qualitative perspective, 4 key themes, 1) Affordance of choice, 2) An appropriate level of challenge, 3) Importance of social interactions and 4) Belief that an experience is of value were identified as underpinning participant’s perceptions and motivations towards PA engagement. Themes were identified as more positively associated with Active School Flag participation compared to Daily Mile participation. Findings suggest that a process-oriented initiative, as opposed to an outcome-oriented initiative, presents as a more viable way of positively impacting children’s PA levels, perceptions and motivations towards sustained PA engagement over time.
Highlights
With the rising popularity of electronic media, children and adolescents spend more than 60% of their 16-hour waking time in front of a screen and far less time engaged in physical activity (PA) (Barnett et al, 2018)
Results relating to participants at TDM schools present as being in line with those of Breheny et al (2020) who suggest that The Daily Mile initiative is beneficial in the immediate but does not sustain interest over time
While there was no significant difference in PA levels between groups at follow up, the trajectory experienced by Active School Flag (ASF) participants presents as being more likely to support continued improvement in measured PA over time
Summary
With the rising popularity of electronic media, children and adolescents spend more than 60% of their 16-hour waking time in front of a screen and far less time engaged in physical activity (PA) (Barnett et al, 2018). An initiative should focus on positively impacting participant’s in-school PA levels and consider key modifiable determinants, such as perceptions of enjoyment and motivations towards PA engagement, which are more likely to result in children maintaining and increasing physical activity levels over time (Coulter & Woods, 2011). These aforementioned factors are often impacted by specifics relating to an initiative’s design. They are typically appealing to educators for their simplicity (in terms of implementation), and their ability to pro-
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
