Implementation of a successful long-term school based physical education intervention: Exploring provider and programme characteristics

Jonas Vestergaard Nielsen; Thomas Viskum Gjelstrup Bredahl; Anna Bugge; Heidi Klakk; Thomas Skovgaard

doi:10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2019.101674

Implementation of a successful long-term school based physical education intervention: Exploring provider and programme characteristics

Eval Program Plann. 2019 Oct:76:101674. doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2019.101674. Epub 2019 Jun 19.

Authors

Jonas Vestergaard Nielsen¹, Thomas Viskum Gjelstrup Bredahl², Anna Bugge³, Heidi Klakk⁴, Thomas Skovgaard⁵

Affiliations

¹ Research and Innovation Centre for Human Movement and Learning, Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Research in Childhood Health, Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark. Electronic address: Jvestergaard@health.sdu.dk.
² Active Living, Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
³ Research in Childhood Health, Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, University College Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
⁴ Research in Childhood Health, Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; University College Lillebaelt, Denmark.
⁵ Research and Innovation Centre for Human Movement and Learning, Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Active Living, Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.

PMID: 31252373
DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2019.101674

Abstract

There is an ongoing need for research focusing on how to implement physical activity programmes into a school setting. This includes documentation of the extent to which programmes are compatible with the basic views of providers and their local practices. The present study explores the Svendborgproject - a programme tripling the amount of physical education in six public schools, sustaining it for 10-years and documenting a decreased incidence of overweight, obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. The aim was to analyse provider and programme characteristics of the Svendborgproject to gain insights into providers motives for adopting, implementing, and maintaining the programme. Six school heads and six teachers were interviewed to explore how they perceived programme compatibility to their school's practice and their own role as providers. Both teachers and school heads found the additional lessons a valuable asset that fitted existing school values and priorities. Additionally, physical education teachers participated in a course providing new perspectives and teaching methods that aided the implementation of the programme. Lastly, school heads stressed that implementation fidelity was heavily dependent on the dedication of physical education teachers and on having simple programme requirements that made it clear what could be expected of the programme.

Keywords: CHAMPS-study DK; Health promotion; Implementation; Qualitative research approaches; School health.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Child
Denmark
Faculty
Health Promotion / methods*
Humans
Physical Education and Training*
Program Evaluation
School Health Services*