TITLE:
The Southeast Colorado PE Academy: Implementation and Outcomes in Rural Elementary Schools, 2014-16
AUTHORS:
Nicole J. Smith, Elaine S. Belansky, Nicholas Cutforth
KEYWORDS:
Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA), Enhanced Physical Education (EPE), Rural Schools, Obesity Prevention, Professional Development, Implementation Science
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Physical Education,
Vol.10 No.4,
November
19,
2020
ABSTRACT: This
paper describes the implementation and outcomes of the Southeast Colorado
Physical Education Academy (SECPEA). The SECPEA intervention aimed to improve
the quality of physical education taught by 21 teachers in 19 rural schools in
Southeast Colorado over a two-year period by supporting the implementation of
an enhanced physical education program (EPE). The System for Observing Fitness
Instruction Time was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention at
baseline, post year one, and post year two. Post year one, a moderate and
significant increase was observed in overall MVPA% per lesson. The largest
increase was observed in the MVPA% during the first five minutes of lessons.
Significant increases were also observed in girls’ MVPA% and for teacher
promotion of MVPA. Post year two, significant positive increases were observed
in the percentage of vigorous physical activity and energy expenditure rate.
The SECPEA was a successful model for implementation of an EPE. Continued
testing of the model in diverse settings is warranted.