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Table 1 Overview of the evidence based intervention (PA4E1 PA practices) including standards required of program schools

From: A cluster randomised trial of an intervention to increase the implementation of physical activity practices in secondary schools: study protocol for scaling up the Physical Activity 4 Everyone (PA4E1) program

Physical activity practices by Health Promoting Schools domain

Curriculum, teaching and learning

 1. Quality PE lessons: PE department uses documented principles or guidelines for teachers to maximize PE quality, active learning time and student engagement in PE lessons (Program schools to use the SAAFE principles- Supportive, Autonomous, Active, Fair, Enjoyable [41]). Each PE teacher to have peer observation of a practical PE lesson, at least once a yeara. Desirable – peer observation feedback is against the department’s quality PE principles.

 2. Student PA plans: Process in place for all students to set personal PA plans in Grade 7, and preferably for more grades 7–10b. Plans/process to i) include personal goals to improve or maintain activity or fitness ii) include actions and timelines to achieve goals and iii) include progress monitoring and goal review at least once within the year.

 3. Enhanced school sport program: scheduled for delivery to all students in at least one Grade, between 7 and 10. A structured PA Program to be: short duration (10–12 weeks), designed to improve adolescents’ fitness and provide them with knowledge, motivation and skills to engage in a range of lifelong physical activities, includes directed practical PA sessions (Program schools to use the Resistance Training for Teens program for all Grade 7 [46]. This program includes: an interactive student seminar; structured PA program focused on muscular fitness and lifelong activities, and a smartphone app.

Ethos and environment

 4. Recess/ lunchtime physical activity: Supervised recess and/or lunchtime PA sessions offered to all students in Grades 7–10 at least 3 days per week. PA equipment freely available to students at least 3 days per week at recess and/or lunch. Desirable at least one organized recess or lunch activity per week targeting girls. Sessions promoted to students at least once per term.

 5. School Physical Activity Policy or Procedure: inclusive of the following: school provides all students in Grades 7–10 with at least 150 min/week of MVPA during school time; school implements supportive practices to enhance all students’ PA (at least 3 of practices 1–4, 6–7 in this table)c.

Partnerships and services

 6. Links with community physical activity providers: Links with community PA providers- Schools promote and engage with community based PA providers to support ‘outside of school time’ activity. At least three links go beyond promotion of the provider (e.g. in newsletters) to involve an agreement, connection, partnership or engagement (e.g. out of hours sessions on school facilities, presentation by providers at school). Links communicated to students and families at least once per termd. Desirable - at least one link to not carry a cost/or be low cost in an ongoing way.

 7. Communicating physical activity messages to all parents of students in Grades 7–10 at least once per term (excludes messages only about school events e.g. carnivals, or school sports timetables or results, or promotion (advertisements for) community PA providers)d.

  1. aProgram schools were asked to aim for peer observations once a semester
  2. bProgram schools asked to set plans for Grade 7 at 12 months, 7 and 8 at 24 months. For outcome assessment schools reporting plans developed for at least Year 7 was considered sufficient
  3. cProgram schools asked to include practices 1–4, 6 and 7 in their policy
  4. dProgram schools asked to use multiple modes to promote community links and to communicate PA information to parents (eg newsletters, parent app, parent information evening)
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BMC Public Health

ISSN: 1471-2458

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