Change In Physical Education Research Articles

Tracking District and School Physical Education Time Policies After Legal Adjudication: A Case Study in California

Purpose: Studies tracking changes in physical education (PE) policy adherence after an intervention are scarce. In California, successful litigation against 37 school districts for not providing adequate PE time compelled district schools’ teachers to post PE schedules online or on-site for 3 years. We performed a follow-up study 4 years after the expiration of lawsuit settlement stipulations to determine the level of adherence in the absence of external accountability. Methods: We reexamined the websites of all 37 school districts, 106 schools’ websites that posted time information in spring 2018 (Time 1), and a proportionate 20% random sample of schools’ websites (n = 150) that posted no information at Time 1. We used descriptive statistics and paired t tests to detect differences between Times 1 and 2. Discussion/Conclusion: District websites mostly maintained postings of PE time documents and information, while the proportion of Time 1 posting school websites with such content dropped by 58%–67%. At the school level, compliance to policy mandates was positively, but not permanently impacted by a lawsuit intervention.

Gender Differences in Students’ Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity Levels During Primary School Physical Education Lessons: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose: We aimed to determine gender differences in students’ moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels measured in primary school by accelerometry. Methods: Our systematic search (PROSPERO: CRD42023422799) was developed using four electronic databases (from January 2013 to December 22, 2023). Our meta-analysis was conducted based on a random-effects model. Results: The search yielded 6255 manuscripts. Only 24 manuscripts were included in the systematic review, reporting 7550 participants. Finally, 19 manuscripts were meta-analyzed. Our analyses indicated that the mean percentages (SMD = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.24 to 0.40, p < .001) of MVPA in primary school physical education (PE) lessons were 28.75 ± 13.75 for boys and 25.99 ± 12.35 for girls. In addition, the mean minutes (SMD = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.15 to 0.27, p < .001) were 13.75 ± 9.91 for boys and 12.15 ± 8.88 for girls. Students failed to meet the 50% recommendation of MVPA lesson time. Conclusion: Boys spend significantly more time in MVPA than girls during PE lessons in primary school. The findings show the need for methodological changes in PE to reduce this gender gap.

Longitudinal Associations Between Anxiety in Physical Education and Fitness Among Finnish Adolescents

Objectives: This study aims to examine associations between changes in physical education, anxiety, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and muscular fitness (MF) in adolescents. Methods: Participants were Finnish students (baseline: n = 1,147; 11.27 [0.32] years). Data were collected over 4 years (2017–2021). CRF was assessed with the 20 m shuttle run, MF using curl-up/push-up tests, and anxiety with the Physical Education State Anxiety Scale. The random intercept cross-lagged panel model, including repeated measures (within-level) and latent levels (between-level) of anxiety in PE, CRF, and MF, was used. The covariates considered were sex, body mass index, and peak height velocity. Results: CRF and anxiety increased, while MF remained stable over time. Lower fitness was associated with greater anxiety (and vice versa). Sex (female), greater body mass index, and undergoing peak height velocity were associated with greater anxiety. Conclusions: Negative experiences in PE are associated with decreased CRF and MF. Effective teaching practices are needed to optimize adolescents’ experiences in PE.

Recycling and Resistance to Change in Physical Education: The Informal Recruitment of Physical Education Teachers in Schools

Purpose: Physical education (PE) teachers’ interactions with students were explored to examine self-selection for PE teaching as a career option during school. Method: Semistructured life story interviews were conducted with 29 PE teachers at different career stages. Complementing occupational socialization, Bourdieu’s habitus, capital, field, and practice were adopted as thinking tools to inform thematic analysis. Results: Three key themes were identified: (a) acceptance into the inner sanctum based on physical competence, effort, and enthusiasm for the traditional curriculum; (b) opportunities provided to students accepted into the inner sanctum, and (c) outside the inner sanctum: mismatched habitus and self-selection for PE teaching. Conclusion: Students exchanged competence, effort, and enthusiasm in the traditional curriculum for acceptance and opportunities to encourage self-selection for teaching PE. Without acceptance, individuals experienced challenges gaining career support. Dominated by a homogenous group resistant to change, PE needs independent careers information to promote change through heterogeneity.

Problem fizičkog vaspitanja u Vojsci Srbije - neophodne promene

The problem of a modern lifestyle is that it contributes to a reduction in movement, a change in diet and morphological profile, a decrease in physical fitness, as well as the occurrence of chronic non-communicable diseases. In the field of military education and training, in addition to the same consequences that occur in civilian structures, an additional problem is that physical education is based only on a motor component. The paper emphasizes the necessity of changes in physical education. The assumption is that the problem of hypokinesia and inadequate nutrition in society, including the armed forces as its inseparable part, is solved by introducing a morphological segment as an obligatory element in physical education, in addition to a motor component. The method of situation analysis has been implemented within relevant facts from scientific papers. The results indicate that basing physical education only on a motor component is insufficient to solve functional and certain health problems. It has been concluded that it is necessary to supplement the programme of physical education and training with a morphological and educational segment, which would contribute to the improvement of physical fitness, morphological status and the expansion of awareness of physical education as a permanent value.

Discrete Dynamic Modeling of Learner Behavior Analysis in Physical Education Teaching.

With the advent of the big data era, the combination of information technology and education has become an important way for the development of the industry. The large-scale realization of teaching tasks under the background of information data requires the prediction and analysis of learners' characteristics, behavior, and development trend. Based on the above situation, this paper uses discrete dynamic modeling technology in big data environment to study the learners' behavior in physical education teaching. By quantifying the learning process data, the feature points of each learner are extracted to realize the personalized construction of dynamic learning data. Due to the rapid development of network technology, we mainly analyze the online education platform and explore the influencing factors of learners' behavior characteristics from many aspects. Finally, it carries out dynamic modeling and prediction for physical education learners from the aspect of achievement change, uses the grey model to build the achievement change system, and combines the dynamic modeling technology to reflect the development trend of achievement. The results show that the main factor affecting learners' behavior change in physical education is video learning. Most students are passive and lack initiative in the learning process. Discrete dynamic modeling technology can improve the accuracy of predicting student achievement changes and provide effective data for the research content.

The Differences in Physical Activity Preferences and Practices among High versus Low Active Adolescents in Secondary Schools

This study aimed to (a) identify the differences in the preferred, practiced, and organized physical activity (PA) between high and low physically active Czech and Polish boys and girls and to (b) identify which types of PA are likely to be recommended by low active boys and girls. The research was carried out between 2010 and 2019 in the Czech Republic and Poland and included 6619 participants aged 15 to 19 years. The preferences and practices of the different types of PA and participation in organized PA were identified using a PA preference questionnaire and weekly PA was identified using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long form. Czech and Polish boys and girls who were low active preferred less physically demanding and more health-oriented PA compared with high active individuals. Power exercises and participation in organized PA are the most significant predictors of achieving at least 3 × 20 min of vigorous PA per week among low active individuals in both countries. Monitoring the trends in the preferred and practiced types of PA among boys and girls is crucial for the effective promotion of PA to low active boys and girls and positive changes in physical education and school health policy.

Primary School Physical Education at the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Could Online Teaching Undermine Teachers’ Self-Efficacy and Work Engagement?

This study aimed to evaluate whether primary school classroom teachers reported changes in physical education teaching self-efficacy (SE-PE) and work engagement (WE) during the first COVID-19 wave. A total of 622 classroom teachers filled in an online questionnaire on SE-PE and WE, referring to before and during the lockdown, and on perceived digital competence. While controlling for perceived digital competence, a mixed between-within Repeated Measures Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (RM-MANCOVA) was performed, using a factorial design with two time categories (before vs. during the lockdown) and three age categories (≤40 vs. 41–50 vs. ≥51 years). The RM-MANCOVA revealed that perceived digital competence significantly adjusted teachers’ SE-PE and WE values (p < 0.001). The analysis yielded a significant multivariate main effect by time (p < 0.001) and by time × age categories (p = 0.001). Follow-up univariate ANCOVA showed significant differences by time in teachers’ SE-PE (p < 0.001) and WE (p < 0.001), with a reduction in both values from before to during the lockdown. A Bonferroni post hoc pairwise comparison showed teachers’ SE-PE significantly decreased in all age categories (p < 0.001). The present findings confirm the importance of promoting SE-PE among primary school teachers, regardless of the crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Teachers’ self-efficacy and WE are essential to master the challenges of PE teaching.

Effects of a Web-Based Autonomy-Supportive Intervention on Physical Education Teacher Outcomes

The current study tested the efficacy of a web-based autonomy-supportive intervention program on changes in physical education (PE) teachers’ self-reports of autonomy support, psychological need satisfaction, intrinsic motivation, and teaching efficacy for students’ engagement. In this study, 101 secondary school PE teachers and their 652 students were randomized either to a web-based autonomy-supportive experimental group or to the control group. Manipulation checks indicated that the intervention was effective as students perceived the experimental group PE teachers as more autonomy-supportive and less controlling compared to the control group at the one-month follow-up. In the main analysis, results of the path analysis demonstrated direct effects of the intervention on changes in teachers’ self-reported autonomy-supportive behaviour, and on teaching efficacy for students’ engagement. There were also significant direct effects from changes in autonomy-supportive behaviour on changes in psychological need satisfactions, from psychological need satisfaction on intrinsic motivation, and from intrinsic motivation on teaching efficacy for students’ engagement. Finally, the intervention had an indirect effect on changes in teaching efficacy for students’ engagement via changes in teachers’ autonomy-supportive behaviour, psychological need satisfaction, and intrinsic motivation. These findings provided insight on the effects of a web-based autonomy-supportive intervention for PE teachers on several teachers’ outcomes in the context of PE.

Physical Activity Recommendations in the Context of New Calls for Change in Physical Education.

The current social, health, and educational changes in society require an adequate response in school-based physical activity (PA), including physical education (PE) lessons. The objective of this study was to identify the real average step counts of Czech and Polish adolescents during PE lessons, and propose recommendations for improving PE programs. This research was carried out in 143 Czech and 99 Polish schools. In the research, a total of 4911 adolescents aged 12–18 years were analyzed as part of teaching practice and 1827 in the context of habitual school practice. Steps were monitored using pedometers. The average step count per PE lesson was 2390 in Czech and Polish boys, while girls achieved 1851 steps. In both countries, boys were subject to greater physical strain in PE lessons compared to girls, both in teaching practice (F(4088,3) = 154.49, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.102) and school practice (F(1552,3) = 70.66, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.103). Therefore, the priority in PE lessons is to increase the amount of PA for girls, achieve the objectives of PE during PA, and use wearables to improve awareness of PA and improve physical literacy, as well as to support hybrid and online PE as a complement to traditional PE.

Toward an Integrative Model for Teacher Change in Physical Education

ABSTRACT Teacher change in physical education has long been called for; however, current theoretical models guiding the change process do not address contextual aspects of the teaching workplace. Occupational Socialization Theory (OST) addresses contextual factors related to change but omits individual teacher characteristics that develop independently of socializing factors. To better understand the teacher change process and guide reform efforts such as continuing professional development, a more comprehensive model is required. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to propose an integrative model of teacher change that merges OST with research on teacher dispositions toward change, including related behavior change theories. Practical applications for teacher professional learning utilizing the model and future directions are suggested.

The German Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction in Physical Education Scale: Adaption and Multilevel Validation in a Sample of Sixth-Grade Girls.

(1) Background: Self-determination theory (SDT) claims that need supportive behavior is related to the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs: autonomy, relatedness and competence. The student–teacher relationship is of special interest to understand mechanisms of physical activity behavior change in physical education (PE). (2) Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 481 girls answered a German version of the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction (BPNS) in PE Scale. Contrary to previous studies, the psychometric properties of this scale were examined by multilevel confirmatory factor analysis. (3) Results: A model with three latent factors on both levels showed acceptable fit and all items showed significant factor loadings. Although one item was excluded due to psychometric reasons, the scale showed good internal consistencies; α = 0.85 at the individual level and α = 0.84 at the class level. Subscales’ internal consistency at the individual levels was good, while at class level, the scores differed from poor to good. Small significant correlations of BPNS with moderate to vigorous physical activity support criterion validity. (4) Conclusion: The 11-item scale is a valid measurement tool to assess BPNS in PE and further application in the school setting would broaden the insights into the psychological impacts of SDT in PE.

How Years of Sport Training Influence the Level of Moral Competences of Physical Education and Sport Students

Background The study purpose was to investigate the level of moral competences and prosocial behaviours in a physical activity (PA) context and differences between first year freshman students enrolled in both the physical education and sport coaching majors. Methods We draw on data from students of the Faculties of Physical Education (109) and Sport (94) at Poznan University of Physical Education. For measurement, Lind's Moral Competence Test was used. Comparative analysis of differences between the groups was undertaken with the use of Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric analysis of variance was used for further analysis. Results The results show that there were no significant differences between the examined students in majority of the characteristics. Students comply with the recommended levels of physical activity, but 70% present low level of moral competences. Parents were the most influential factors in moral development across levels of competences and genders. More years of sports training showed a positive relationship with moral development (only in the group of male students with high level of moral competency). Conclusions Based on the findings, it is recommended to consider the changes in physical education and sport students education training programmes which should include more critical reflection and life-long learning competences.

A mountain too high to climb? An exploratory study of perceived barriers to mobilisation of research literature into physical education teacher education experienced by a group of Danish PE teacher educators

ABSTRACTInternational research emphasises that Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) has a key role to play in initiating and processing changes in Physical Education (PE). However, several researchers also find that it is a significant challenge for PETE to contest ideological approaches regarding PE practices among PE student teachers. Stronger relationships between research and educational practice and more deliberate mobilisation of research into teacher education may help address such educational issues. The main agents in that regard are teacher educators who are supposed to have the competencies to mobilise research literature into PETE. However, in Denmark, only 10% of Danish teacher educators hold a research-based PhD. The main aim of this article is to make the first steps towards more knowledge in this area by presenting an exploratory study of perceived barriers to mobilising research literature into PETE as experienced by a group of Danish PE teacher educators. The paper is based on empirical data generated through a course developed to qualify PE teacher educators’ competencies in the use of research literature: papers, discussion-notes and interviews. Four main categories were generated: (1) ‘We’re competing on time’, (2) ‘A separate approach’, (3) ‘It has to add value’ and (4) ‘Hard to make it that academic’. The discussion addresses some general focus points for supporting the application of research in teacher education and suggest directions for future research.

Feasibility study of the SWITCH implementation process for enhancing school wellness

BackgroundThere is a need to identify strategies that enhance the implementation of evidence-based school wellness intervention programs in real-world settings. The present study evaluates the feasibility of empowering school wellness leaders to deliver an evidence-based, childhood obesity-prevention program called Switch ™. We specifically evaluated the feasibility of a new implementation framework, based on the robust Healthy Youth Places framework, to increase capacity of school leaders to lead school wellness programming.MethodsThe SWITCH (School Wellness Integration Targeting Child Health) implementation process was evaluated in a convenience sample of eight Iowa elementary schools. Teams of three leaders from each school attended an in-person school wellness conference followed by five online webinar sessions delivered by two SWITCH team members. The capacity-building and quality improvement process was designed to empower schools to lead wellness change using methods and concepts from the original 16-week Switch ™ program. School wellness leaders completed checklists on two occasions to assess overall school-level implementation as well as setting-level changes in physical education, classrooms, and the lunchroom. Student acceptability of SWITCH was evaluated by the degree of behavior tracking using an online SWITCH Tracker system that promoted self-monitoring. School acceptability and practicality were assessed through an exit survey completed by school leaders.ResultsAll school staff reported satisfaction with the SWITCH implementation process. Reports of school- and setting-level implementation were relatively high (2.0 to 2.8 on a 3-point scale) but student engagement, based on use of the online tracking system, varied greatly over time and across schools. Three high implementation schools had average tracking rates exceeding 70% (range: 72–90%) while three low implementation schools had rates lower than 30% (range = 0–23%).ConclusionsThis feasibility study supports the utility of the new implementation framework for promoting school and student engagement with SWITCH. Further testing regarding effectiveness and scale-up of this evidence-based school wellness intervention program is warranted.

Secular Changes in Physical Education Attendance Among U.S. High School Students, 1991–2015

ABSTRACTPurpose: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in school-based physical education (PE) attendance over time among nationally representative samples of U.S. high school students and how changes in PE attendance have varied across demographic subgroups. Method: Student demographic information and PE attendance data were obtained from 13 biennial cycles (1991–2015) of the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). Physical education variables derived from YRBS data included PE attendance, daily PE, average PE days/week, and PE frequency. Logistic regression models examined trends in PE attendance, daily PE, and PE frequency for the overall sample and demographic subgroups. Linear regression models examined trends in average PE days/week in the overall sample only. Results: Overall, there was no significant change in the percentage of students reporting PE attendance during 1991 to 2015. However, daily PE and average PE days/week declined significantly from 1991 to 1995 (41.6% to 25.4% and 4.64 days to 3.64 days, respectively) and then remained stable through 2015 (29.8% and 4.11 days, respectively). The percentage of students reporting a PE frequency of 3 days per week increased significantly from 1991 to 1995 (1.5% to 19.0%) before stabilizing through 2015 (9.1%). Trends across demographic subgroups revealed notable differences in PE attendance. Conclusions: Study findings showed that U.S. schools have not substantially reduced PE amounts in recent years. Still, the prevalence of PE attendance among U.S. high school students is well below recommendations. For PE to contribute to increased adolescent compliance with national physical activity guidelines, significant policy actions are needed to improve PE access for all students.

NP20 - Feasibility of the SWITCH™ Implementation Framework for Enhancing School Wellness

Objective: There is a need to identify strategies that enhance the implementation of evidence-based school wellness interventions in real-world settings. The present study evaluates the feasibility of empowering school wellness leaders to deliver an evidence-based, childhood obesity-prevention initiative called SWITCH™ (School Wellness Integration Targeting Child Health). We specifically evaluated the utility of a new implementation process, based on the robust Healthy Youth Places (HYP) framework, to increase capacity of school leaders to lead SWITCH™ school wellness programming. Description: The implementation process was piloted in a convenience sample of eight Iowa elementary schools. Teams of three leaders from each school attended an in-person school wellness conference, followed by five online webinar sessions delivered by two trained facilitators. The capacity building and quality improvement process was designed to empower schools to lead school wellness change using methods and concepts from the original 12-week SWITCH™ program. School coordinators completed checklists on two occasions to assess overall school-level implementation as well as setting-level changes in physical education, classrooms, and lunchroom. Student acceptability of SWITCH™ was evaluated by the degree of behavior tracking within the online SWITCH™ “Tracker” system that promoted self-monitoring. Evaluation: All school staff reported satisfaction with the SWITCH™ implementation process. Reports of school- and setting-level implementation were relatively high (2.0 to 2.8 on a 3.0-point scale) but student engagement (based on use of the online tracking system) varied greatly over time and across schools. Three high-implementation schools had average tracking rates exceeding 70% (range: 72–90%) while three low-implementation schools had rates lower than 30% (range: 0–23%). Conclusions and Implications: This feasibility study supports the utility of the new implementation framework for promoting school and student engagement with SWITCH™. Further testing regarding effectiveness and scale-up of this evidence-based school wellness intervention is warranted. Funding: 2015-68001-23242. The following is the supplementary data to this article: Download .pdf (.82 MB) Help with pdf files Poster

Proměny tělovýchovných koncepcí a jejich vliv na realizaci obsahu vzdělávání v tělesné výchově

Various physical education systems were transformed into compulsory educational content in the 19th century and formed the foundations of the Czech physical education. However, the changing socio-political values affected physical education conceptions as well as their different interpretations and realizations in the educational process. Consequently, there have been various ways of handling the educational content of the subject. The goal of this study is to present a general overview of the physical education development. We intend to inform about different physical education conceptions and their influence on the realisation of physical education content both in the past and also in the present when the conceptual approach is directed by the framework educational programmes. Based on empirical data we discuss the successfulness of the current physical education conception. Twenty years after the last conceptual change in physical education in the Czech Republic we come to the conclusion that the expected outcomes, as declared in physical education curricula, are neither applied nor fulfilled in an appropriate way. We see the principal reason of this state in the low congruence among the values of the society, projected curricula and the realisation of the educational content in the physical education classes.

Can continuing professional development utilizing a game-centred approach improve the quality of physical education teaching delivered by generalist primary school teachers?

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a continuing professional development (CPD) intervention in producing changes in physical education (PE) teaching practice and PE teaching quality by generalist primary school teachers when the CPD addressed the use of a game-centred approach. A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in seven primary schools in the Hunter Region, New South Wales, Australia. One year six teacher from each school was randomized into the Professional Learning for Understanding Games Education (PLUNGE) intervention ( n = 4 teachers) or the 7-week wait-list control ( n = 3) condition. The PLUNGE intervention (weeks 1–5) used an instructional framework to improve teachers’ knowledge, understanding and delivery of a game-centred curriculum, and included an information session and weekly in-class mentoring. The intervention was designed to enhance content and pedagogical knowledge for the provision of pedagogy focused on a broad range of learning outcomes. Teaching quality was assessed at baseline and follow-up (weeks 6 and 7) via observation of two consecutive PE lessons using the Quality Teaching Lesson Observation Scales. Linear mixed models revealed significant group-by-time intervention effects ( p &lt; 0.05) for the quality of teaching (effect size: d = 1.7). CPD using an information session and mentoring, and a focus on the development of the quality of teaching using a game-centred pedagogical approach was efficacious in improving the quality of PE teaching among generalist primary school teachers.

Physical education teachers’ perceptions of factors that inhibit and facilitate the enactment of curriculum change in a high-stakes exam climate

ABSTRACTPolicy enactment is a dynamic process, which invites agents to uniquely create and recreate policy as an ongoing process. Few policies arrive in school fully formed and the process of policy enactment involves teachers navigating policy frameworks in a way that provides success for each individual pupil. This research examines the complexities involved in teacher enactment of new policy in schools with the added caveat of investigating the impact that high-stakes exams place on teachers to act as agents of change. The primary objective was to ascertain whether inhibitors and facilitators identified in literature were recurring during the period of change in physical education (PE). The secondary objective was to investigate how PE teachers enact curriculum change utilising a flexible curriculum framework to achieve success at examination level. The research reflects a journey from the broad realms of curriculum studies towards a more in-depth analysis of the realist theory of analytical dualism. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with five full time PE teachers working within one secondary school in Scotland. The results indicated that revolutionary change was somewhat stagnated by potent inhibitors such as a lack of collaboration with policy-makers and vague course documentation. These were compounded by an inherent desire for pupils to succeed that induced feelings of wariness and indecision amongst teachers. The flexible curriculum and guidance offered by policy-makers was insufficient for teachers to confidently pose as curriculum decision-makers, resulting in a call for a more explicitly structured course. It became clear that teachers acting as agents of change who help devise and develop policy require support, collaboration and direction to empower and buttress their decision-making, particularly when faced with the high-stakes nature of the examination climate.