School-Based Physical Activity Promotion: Examples from the United States, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Finland

Internationally there has been a call for schools to be sites of physical activity promotion (CDC, 2013, WHO, 2007). In response, physical activity initiatives have been developed all over the world at local, regional and... [ view full abstract ]

Internationally there has been a call for schools to be sites of physical activity promotion (CDC, 2013, WHO, 2007). In response, physical activity initiatives have been developed all over the world at local, regional and national levels. While some initiatives consider a single component (i.e., physical activity in the classroom), others attempt a more comprehensive, multi-component approach (i.e., physical activity before and after school, physical education, physical activity during school, staff engagement, family/community engagement). Research on such initiatives has focused on a variety of outcomes including participants’ perspectives, physical activity levels, enjoyment, behavioral measures, learning, and physical activity opportunities among others. Given that school-based physical activity promotion efforts have been encouraged and adopted worldwide, and research on such efforts are increasing, it is important that those who are interested in this work can collaborate and share ideas across borders. This symposium will highlight relevant research efforts from the United Kingdom (UK), Finland, Ireland and the United States. The first paper will provide a glimpse into a typical day at an “active” secondary school in the United States, providing us with an example of the potential opportunities that exist for young people to be active at school. The second paper will explore the medium-term impact and related sustainability of the Active School Flag, a national whole-of-school physical activity initiative in Ireland. Based on work from the UK, the third paper provides insights into barriers and facilitators that exist when attempting to implement physical activity opportunities within the school setting. Finally, the fourth paper will discuss lesson learned from Finland’s Finnish Schools on the Move initiative’s goal to make the school day more pleasant through physical activity.

Anna Chalkley³
Lauren Sherar³
Collin Brooks¹
M. H. Hirvensalo, University of Jyväskylä
K. Laine⁴
T. H. Tammelin⁴