Evaluation of a high school leisure time physical activity curriculum.

摘要

The rising overweight and obesity trends demonstrate the need for programs aimed at increasing physical activity for adolescents to combat the onset of disease and reduce the economic burden of overweight and obesity-related diseases. The high rates of physical inactivity and disease associated with physical inactivity among adolescents in the United States and in rural Appalachia demonstrate the need for interventions targeted towards adolescents. Participating in daily physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, elevate blood lipid levels, some types of cancer, and musculoskeletal conditions. The purpose of the Plan for Exercise, Plan for Health efficacy trial was to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the intervention. Process, impact, and outcome evaluation methods were used to examine a set of related research questions. The evaluation determined the ability of the Plan for Exercise, Plan for Health program to produce changes in both moderate and vigorous physical activity; the degree of change in the targeted Social Cognitive Theory constructs; and the outcome variable of physical fitness as measured by sub-maximal consumption of oxygen (VO2max). Within seven schools in rural Ohio Appalachia, 13 physical education teachers delivered the Plan for Exercise, Plan for Health curriculum one day per week for nine weeks during the semester to 925 students. Within the two control schools, six teachers and approximately 420 students served as the comparison group. Descriptive statistics and 2x2 Mixed Group Factorial Analysis of Variance were conducted to determine the differences between groups, across time, and whether there was an interaction between group and time for the primary variables of days of moderate physical activity, days of vigorous physical activity; and the secondary variables of behavioral capability, social support, self-efficacy, outcome expectancy-values, self-regulation, and physical fitness (VO2ma). The Plan for Exercise, Plan for Health curriculum was efficacious in increasing social support and self-regulation; and increasing days of moderate and vigorous physical activity among sedentary adolescents.