TITLE:
The Effects of a Community and School Sport-Based Program on Urban Indigenous Adolescents’ Life Skills and Physical Activity Levels: The SCP Case Study
AUTHORS:
Louisa R. Peralta, Donna O’Connor, Wayne G. Cotton, Andrew Bennie
KEYWORDS:
School Sport, Physical Education, Indigenous, Life Skills, Comprehensive Physical Activity Programs, Adolescents
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.6 No.18,
October
16,
2014
ABSTRACT: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a
community and school sport program (SCP)
on Indigenous adolescents’ life skills and physical activity levels within program
sessions. A secondary aim was to determine the acceptability of the SCP. Participants in the SCP (n = 34; 89%) participated in a
10-week case study (age = 13.7 ± 1.16; 58% girls). Systematic observations of SCP sessions were conducted to determine
physical activity levels and a life skills questionnaire was implemented.
Acceptability measures included retention, implementation, attendance rates,
and interviews with participants [n = 18] and key stakeholders [n = 6]. Systematic
observations indicated that Indigenous students were engaged in MVPA for 58% of
lesson time. Participants’ life skills remained unchanged (p = 0.93). Interview data showed that Indigenous students and key
stakeholders believed the SCP was
acceptable. This study highlights the need for partnerships between Indigenous
community organisations and schools to design sport-based programs to promote
Indigenous adolescents’ MVPA.