Professional Development for Increased Classroom-based Physical Activity: Elements and Strategies to Reduce Barriers and Facilitate Implementation

Abstract

Classroom-based physical activity (CBPA) is an emerging strategy for increasing youth physical activity, as well as improving academic achievement and on-task behavior. This paper describes the rationale, development, implementation, and evaluation of a professional development training designed for classroom and physical education teachers to increase implementation of CBPA in elementary schools. Twenty-two 5th grade classroom and 12 physical education teachers participated in the training, which was based on key principles of adult learning, including modeling, active learning, and feedback and reflection. The training was also designed to intentionally address known implementation barriers, such as insufficient resources, concerns about detracting from academics' and teachers' comfort with teaching with physical activity. Immediate post training evaluations showed that the training was very well received by both classroom and PE teachers. Positive feedback received after teachers implemented the CBPA strategies in their classrooms further reinforced the premise that engaging and relevant professional development is necessary to influence teachers' use of CBPA.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the teachers who participated in this project for their insights and dedication to promoting physical activity at their schools.

Funding

This publication is a product of the West Virginia Prevention Research Center and was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number 1-U48-DP-005004 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nancy O'Hara Tompkins

Nancy O'Hara Tompkins ([email protected]) is a research assistant professor, Mary Foltz Weikle and Susan Childers are retired physical education teachers and consultants, Hannah Sirk is a former research associate, and Richard Wittberg is a community partnership board member in the School of Public Health, Prevention Research Center, at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. Adam Keath is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Education, Sport and Human Performance at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. Karen Northrup is an Activate! field coordinator for School Health Services, Wood County Schools, in Parkersburg, WV. Josh Grant is a program coordinator for the West Virginia Department of Education Office of Middle/Secondary Learning in Charleston, WV.