Transfer from Physical Education to Intramural Physical Activities: Towards the adoption of a physically active lifestyle

The promotion and development of a physically active lifestyle is a universal goal of physical education (PE) in many countries. Although there is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of interventions to... [ view full abstract ]

The promotion and development of a physically active lifestyle is a universal goal of physical education (PE) in many countries. Although there is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of interventions to increase the amount of physical activity (PA) within PE, the evidence for the transfer of student participation within those activities to leisure-time contexts remains limited. Indeed, evidence showing that ‘normal PE’ has had or is likely to have any impact on regular PA levels in the short term, let alone the long-term, is almost non-existent¹. Therefore, there is a pressing need to investigate how students’ experiences in PE can contribute to the adoption of a more physically active lifestyle by creating a transfer of PA behaviors learned in PE to extra-curricular contexts.

In this symposium, we will discuss the evidence and potential mechanisms for the transfer of student participation in PE to an in-school extra-curricular context. Four research studies will be presented which utilize both (quasi) experimental and descriptive case studie designs to address how K-12 students may transfer their participation from a PE to an intramural sport context. Different conceptual and theoretical underpinnings will be presented to investigate the notion of transfer, and important variables both within the PE and extra-curricular contexts discussed. As discourse grows on the role of PE in the promotion of health-related physical activity, symposia such as this provide much needed discussion of the potential mechanisms and barriers for this trans-contextual transfer. Research in this area serves to provide potential for the justification of PE as a core subject matter and enhances the field’s perceived relevance to the public health agenda.

1. Slingerland M, Borghouts L. Direct and Indirect Influence of physical activity education-based interventions on physical activity: a review. JPAH. 2011;8: 866-878.