Best Practices and Recommendations for Increasing Physical Activity in Youth

Abstract

Many efforts to increase the physical activity levels of Americans have been introduced and implemented over the past 20 years. National Physical Activity Guidelines have been established, and the National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP) is now in place, which includes a specific sector dedicated to education. This article addresses the Education Sector of the NPAP and its seven strategies for implementation, as well as an overview of the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program model (CSPAP). Included in this discussion is evidence supporting components of CSPAP, including physical education, in-school physical activity, out-of-school physical activity, staff involvement, and family and community engagement. This article also describes how physical and health educators, university programs, coaches and youth program directors, and higher education faculty can collaborate in implementing and sustaining school-based physical activity efforts.