Parental decision-making on summer program enrollment: A mixed methods Covid-19 impact study.

BACKGROUND: The closure of childcare organizations (e.g. schools, childcare centers, afterschool programs, summer camps) during the Covid-19 pandemic impacted the health and wellbeing of families. Despite their reopening, parents may be reluctant to enroll their children in summer programming. Knowledge of the beliefs that underlie parental concerns will inform best practices for organizations that serve children. METHODS: Parents (n = 17) participated in qualitative interviews (October 2020) to discuss Covid-19 risk perceptions and summer program enrollment intentions. Based on interview responses to perceived Covid-19 risk, two groups emerged for analysis- "Elevated Risk (ER)" and "Conditional Risk (CR)". Themes were identified utilizing independent coding and constant-comparison analysis. Follow-up interviews (n = 12) in the Spring of 2021 evaluated the impact of vaccine availability on parent risk perceptions. Additionally, parents (n = 17) completed the Covid-19 Impact survey to assess perceived exposure (Range: 0-25) and household impact (Range: 2-60) of the pandemic. Scores were summed and averaged for the sample and by risk classification group. RESULTS: Parents overwhelmingly supported the operation of summer programming during the pandemic due to perceived child benefits. Parent willingness to enroll their children in summer programming evolved with time and was contingent upon the successful implementation of safety precautions (e.g. outdoor activities, increased handwashing/sanitizing of surfaces). Interestingly, parents indicated low exposure (ER: Avg. 6.3 ± 3.1 Range [2-12], CR: Avg. 7.5 ± 3.6 Range [1-14]) and moderate family impact (ER: Avg. 27.1 ± 6.9 Range [20-36], CR: Avg. 33.7 ± 11.4 Range [9-48]) on the impact survey. CONCLUSION: Childcare organizations should mandate and evaluate the implementation of desired Covid-19 safety precautions for their patrons.

Impact of Virtual vs. In-Person School on Children Meeting the 24-h Movement Guidelines during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The pandemic mitigation strategy of closing schools, while necessary, may have unintentionally impacted children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sleep, and time spent watching screens. In some locations, schools used hybrid attendance models, with some days during the week requiring in-person and others virtual attendance. This scenario offers an opportunity to evaluate the impact of attending in-person school on meeting the 24-h movement guidelines. Children (N = 690, 50% girls, K-5th) wore wrist-placed accelerometers for 14 days during October/November 2020. Parents completed daily reports on child time spent on screens and time spent on screens for school. The schools' schedule was learning for 2 days/week in-person and 3 days/week virtually. Using only weekdays (M-F), the 24-h movement behaviors were classified, and the probability of meeting all three was compared between in-person vs. virtual learning and across grades. Data for 4956 weekdays (avg. 7 d/child) were collected. In-person school was associated with a greater proportion (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.33-2.18) of days that children were meeting the 24-h movement guidelines compared to virtual school across all grades. Students were more likely to meet the screen time (OR = 9.14, 95% CI: 7.05-11.83) and MVPA (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.25-1.80) guidelines and less likely to meet the sleep (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.62-0.86) guidelines on the in-person compared to the virtual school days. Structured environments, such as school, have a protective effect on children's movement behaviors, especially physical activity and screen time.

Temporal Trends in Children's School Day Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Evidence from a limited sample of countries indicates that time for physical education and recess during school have declined. Schools are called to provide children with 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). This systematic review and meta-analysis estimated temporal trends in children's school day MVPA. METHODS: Three online databases were searched to identify studies with objectively measured MVPA, during school hours, in school aged children (5-18 y). Multilevel random-effects meta-analyses estimated MVPA by year, and meta-regression analyses estimated temporal trends in school day MVPA. RESULTS: Studies (N = 65) providing 171 MVPA estimates, representing 60,779 unique children, from 32 countries, and spanning 2003-2019 were identified. Most studies were conducted in North America (n = 33) or Europe (n = 21). School day MVPA ranged from 18.1 (95% confidence interval, 15.1-21.1) to 47.1 (95% confidence interval, 39.4-54.8) minutes per day in any given year. Meta-regression analyses indicated that MVPA declined from 2003 to 2010 (approximately 15 min decline), plateaued from 2010 to 2015 (approximately 1 min decrease), and increased from 2015 to 2019 (approximately 5 min increase). CONCLUSIONS: School day MVPA decreased from 2003 to 2010 and has recently begun to increase. However, the majority of the evidence is from North America and Europe with some evidence from Oceania and very little evidence from Asia to South America.

Impact of a year-round school calendar on children's BMI and fitness: Final outcomes from a natural experiment.

BACKGROUND: Structure may mitigate children's accelerated summer BMI gain and cardiorespiratory-fitness (CRF) loss. OBJECTIVES: Examine BMI and CRF change during school and summer for year-round and traditional calendar school children. METHODS: Three schools (N = 2279, 1 year-round) participated in this natural experiment. Children's BMI z-score (zBMI) and CRF (PACER laps) were measured from 2017 to 2019 each May/August. Mixed effects regression estimated monthly zBMI and CRF change during school/summer. Secondary analyses examined differences by weight status and race. Spline regression models estimated zBMI and CRF growth from kindergarten-sixth grade. RESULTS: Compared to traditional school, children attending a year-round school gained more zBMI (difference = 0.015; 95CI = 0.002, 0.028) during school, and less zBMI (difference = -0.029; 95CI = -0.041, -0.018), and more CRF (difference = 0.834; 95CI = 0.575, 1.093) monthly during summer. Differences by weight status and race were observed during summer and school. Growth models demonstrated that the magnitude of overall zBMI and CRF change from kindergarten-sixth grade was similar for year-round or traditional school children. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to traditional school children zBMI increased during the traditional 9-month school calendar and zBMI decreased during the traditional summer vacation for year-round school children. Structured summer programming may mitigate accelerated summer BMI gain and CRF loss especially for overweight or obese, and/or Black children.

Effects of a teacher training intervention on teachers' and students' motivation to physical education class / Efeitos de uma intervenção de formação de professores na motivação de professores e alunos para a aula de educação física

ABSTRACT The present study evaluated the effects of a teacher training intervention, based on Self-Determination Theory, on teachers' and students' motivation in physical education class. This is a pre-post quasi-experimental study with 4 physical education teachers and 611 students from four public schools. A handbook was developed and teacher training sessions were conducted. Statistical analysis consisted of paired t-tests and general linear model repeated measures to assess teachers' self-determined motivation and linear mixed effect regression to evaluate students' motivation. A significant increase in teachers' and students' motivation score was observed after the intervention. Among teacher, we verified an increase in self-determined motivation. Among students there were significant interaction time by group in Extrinsic Motivation Identified Regulation (F=5.6), Extrinsic Motivation External Regulation (F=7.41), Amotivation (F=5.32) and Self-determined Motivation (F=4.87). Also, Intrinsic Motivation significantly declined with age for boys (β= -0.151) and girls (β= -0.121) as well as Extrinsic Motivation Introjected Regulation for girls β= (-0.141). Training sessions can support teachers in planning lessons resulting in increasing teacher and students' motivation in physical education classes. However, this strategy was not enough to improve intrinsic motivation during the investigated period.

RESUMO O presente estudo avaliou os efeitos de uma intervenção com professores, baseada na Teoria da Autodeterminação, sobre a motivação de professores e alunos para a aula de educação física (EF). É um estudo quase-experimental do tipo antes e depois com 4 professores de EF e 611 alunos. Foi elaborado um manual e realizadas sessões de formação de professores. Análise estatística incluiu testes t pareados e medidas repetidas através do modelo linear geral e da regressão linear de efeito misto. Um aumento significante no escore de motivação de professores e alunos foi observado após a intervenção. Entre os professores verificou-se um aumento na motivação auto-determinada. Entre os alunos houve interação significante entre tempo por grupo (Motivação Extrínseca Regulação Identificada (F=5,6), Motivação Extrínseca Regulação Externa (F=7,41), Amotivação (F=5,32) e Motivação Autodeterminada (F=4,87). Além disso, a Motivação Intrínseca diminuiu significantemente com a idade para rapazes (β= -0.151) e moças (β= -0.121), bem como a Motivação Externa Regulação Introjetada para moças (β= -0.141). Sessões de formação podem apoiar os professores no planejamento resultando no aumento da motivação dos professores e alunos nas aulas de EF. No entanto, esta estratégia não foi suficiente para melhorar a motivação intrínseca no período investigado.

Elementary Classroom Teachers' Self-Reported Use of Movement Integration Products and Perceived Facilitators and Barriers Related to Product Use.

Movement integration (MI) products are designed to provide children with physical activity during general education classroom time. The purpose of this study was to examine elementary classroom teachers' self-reported use of MI products and subsequent perceptions of the facilitators of and barriers to MI product use. This study utilized a mixed-methods design. Elementary classroom teachers (n = 40) at four schools each tested four of six common MI products in their classroom for one week. Teachers completed a daily diary, documenting duration and frequency of product use. Following each product test, focus groups were conducted with teachers to assess facilitators and barriers. MI product use lasted for 11.2 (Standard Deviation (SD) = 7.5) min/occasion and MI products were used 4.1 (SD = 3.5) times/week on average. Activity Bursts in the Classroom for Fitness, GoNoodle, and Physical Activity Across the Curriculum were most frequently used. Facilitators of and barriers to MI product use were identified within three central areas-logistics, alignment with teaching goals, and student needs and interests. Teachers were receptive to MI products and used them frequently throughout the week. When considering the adoption of MI products, teachers, administrators, and policy makers should consider products that are readily usable, align with teaching goals, and are consistent with student needs and interests.

Is city of residence a factor differentiating Sitting time in adolescents? / A cidade de residência é um fator que diferencia o tempo sentado de adolescentes?

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between city of residence and other factors related to sitting time in adolescents. Students (n = 1,089), between 14 and 18 years, completed self-reported questionnaires to collect data about sitting time, general fitness, physical education and sport participation, socio-economic stratum and householder ́s education in Botucatu (SP), Cáceres (MT) and São Paulo (SP). The choice of municipalities occurred for convenience and the selection of schools and students was performed randomly. Multi-level mixed linear regression models were used to estimate the relationship between the independent variables and sitting time (min.day-1) during weekdays and weekend days. Hierarchal models were estimated to account for the nested nature of student within schools. Regarding cities of residence, there was no association with sitting time on both weekday (São Paulo, ß = 36.87, CI: 25.6; 233.62 and Cáceres, ß = 66.94, CI: 22.1; 156.01) and weekend (São Paulo, ß = 104.01, CI: 64.5;138.20 and Cáceres, ß = 90.23, CI: 33.2; 213.64), when compared to Botucatu. Socio economic indicators were related to sitting time in different ways considering week or weekend. Students with higher householder education degrees had more sitting time on weekdays. On weekend students in higher levels of socioeconomic stratum presented less sitting time. Adolescents with very good perception of general fitness had -65.29 minutes of sitting time on weekday and -70.1 minutes of sitting time on weekend. In the present study, city of residence was not related to sitting time in adolescents. However, other factors such as gender, socioeconomic stratum and educational status, participation in sports and physical education and perceptions of fitness were related to students sitting time

O objetivo deste estudo de cunho transversal foi examinar a associação entre cidades de residência e outros fatores relacionados ao tempo sentado em adolescentes. Estudantes (n = 1.089), com ida-des entre os 14 e 18 anos, responderam a questionários sobre tempo sentado, percepção da aptidão física geral, participação em educação física e participação em esportes, estrato socioeconômico e educação do responsável da família nos municípios de Botucatu (SP), Cáceres (MT) e São Paulo (SP). A escolha dos municípios ocorreu por conveniência e a seleção das escolas e alunos foi reali-zada de forma randômica. Modelos de regressão linear mista de multiníveis foram utilizados para estimar a relação entre as variáveis independentes e a quantidade de minutos sentados (min/dia) durante a semana e nos dias ao final de semana. Os modelos hierárquicos foram estimados para explicar a natureza aninhada do aluno dentro das escolas. Com relação às cidades de residência, não houve associação com o tempo sentado durante a semana (São Paulo, ß = 36,87, IC: 25,6; 233,62 e Cáceres, ß = 66,94, IC: 22,1; 156,01) e no nal de semana (São Paulo, ß = 104,01, IC: 64,5; 138,20 e Cáceres, ß = 90,23, IC: 33,2; 213,64), quando comparados a Botucatu. Os indica-dores socioeconômicos foram relacionados ao tempo sentado de diferentes maneiras, considerando a semana ou o fim de semana. Estudantes que tinham responsável com nível educacional mais alto tiveram mais tempo sentados durante a semana. Nos finais de semana, estudantes com melhor es-trato socioeconômico apresentaram menos tempo sentados. Adolescentes com percepção muito boa de aptidão física geral tiveram -65,29 minutos de tempo sentado no dia da semana e -70,1 minutos de tempo sentado no fim de semana. No presente estudo, a cidade de residência não teve relação ao tempo sentado em adolescentes, no entanto, outros fatores, como gênero, estrato socioeconômico e status educacional, participação em esportes e educação física e percepções de aptidão física foram relacionados ao tempo sentado

Development of the System for Observing Student Movement in Academic Routines and Transitions (SOSMART).

National attention on whole-of-school approaches to decrease children's sedentary behavior and increase physical activity includes movement integration (MI) in classrooms. The purpose of this study was to describe instrument development, reliability, and validity of the System for Observing Student Movement in Academic Routines and Transitions (SOSMART), designed to assess MI in elementary classrooms. An a priori conceptual framework was developed based on existing literature. The framework was expanded/refined using videos from elementary classrooms and a Delphi survey. The survey, sent to 85 experts, yielded a 38% response rate. The final system includes 11 MI variables (three categories of teacher variables, two categories of student variables) and uses a 20-second continuous interval recording format. Reliability and validity data were collected in 12 classrooms across four elementary schools. Instrument reliability was tested using interval-by-interval percentage agreement for each category. Construct validity was tested by estimating multilevel random effects logistic regression models comparing student accelerometer derived activity with the presence/absence of each MI variable. Intraobserver reliability resulted in 97.5% agreement and exceeded 80% on all variables. Construct validity was supported for 8 out of 11 MI variables. SOSMART can provide valid, reliable, and objective data about MI in elementary schools.

Are We There Yet? Compliance with Physical Activity Standards in YMCA Afterschool Programs.

BACKGROUND: In 2011, the YMCA of the United States adopted physical activity standards for all their afterschool programs (ASPs), which call for children to accumulate 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) while attending YMCA ASPs. The extent to which youth attending YMCA ASPs achieve this standard is unknown. METHODS: Using a cluster-stratified design, 20 ASPs were sampled from all YMCA-operated ASPs across South Carolina (N = 102). ASPs were visited on four unannounced, nonconsecutive weekdays. Accelerometer-derived minutes spent in MVPA were dichotomized to ≥30 min/d of MVPA and <30 min/d of MVPA. Program characteristics were measured through document review and direct observation and compared to MVPA levels using random-effects quantile regression. RESULTS: Boys (n = 607) and girls (n = 475) accumulated a median of 25.3 and 17.1 min/d of MVPA, respectively, which translated into 33% (range 6.2%-67.3%) and 17% (0%-42.6%) achieving the 30 min/d of MVPA standard, respectively. Increase in time scheduled for activity (10.7-11.7 min/d of MVPA), limited sedentary choices during activity time (6.9-8.9 min/d of MVPA), and staff activity-promotion training (4.8-7.9 min/d of MVPA) were associated with higher accumulated minutes of MVPA for boys and girls. Program revenue, percent activity structure that was for free play, and indoor/outdoor space were inconsistently related to meeting the MVPA standard. CONCLUSIONS: Modifiable programmatic structures were associated with higher amounts of MVPA. These findings suggest that simple programmatic changes could help ASPs to achieve the MVPA standard, regardless of infrastructure or finances.

Wasting Our Time? Allocated Versus Accumulated Physical Activity in Afterschool Programs.

BACKGROUND: Afterschool programs (ASPs) can provide opportunities for children to accumulate moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The optimal amount of time ASPs should allocate for physical activity (PA) on a daily basis to ensure children achieve policy-stated PA recommendations remains unknown. METHODS: Children (n = 1248, 5 to 12 years) attending 20 ASPs wore accelerometers up to 4 nonconsecutive week days for the duration of the ASPs during spring 2013 (February-April). Daily schedules were obtained from each ASP. RESULTS: Across 20 ASPs, 3 programs allocated ≤ 30min, 5 approximately 45 min, 4 60 min, 4 75 min, and 4 ≥ 105 min for PA opportunities daily (min·d-1). Children accumulated the highest levels of MVPA in ASPs that allocated ≥ 60 min·d-1 for PA opportunities (24.8-25.1 min·d-1 for boys and 17.1-19.4 min·d-1 for girls) versus ASPs allocating ≤ 45 min·d-1 for PA opportunities (19.7 min·d-1 and 15.6 min·d-1 for boys and girls, respectively). There were no differences in the amount of MVPA accumulated by children among ASPs that allocated 60 min·d-1 (24.8 min·d-1 for boys and 17.1 min·d-1 for girls), 75 min·d-1 (25.1 min·d-1 for boys and 19.4 min·d-1 for girls) or ≥ 105 min·d-1 (23.8 min·d-1 for boys and 17.8 min·d-1 for girls). Across ASPs, 26% of children (31% for boys and 14% for girls) met the recommended 30 minutes of MVPA. CONCLUSIONS: Allocating more than 1 hour of PA opportunities is not associated with an increase in MVPA during ASPs. Allocating 60 min·d-1, in conjunction with enhancing PA opportunities, can potentially serve to maximize children's accumulation of MVPA during ASPs.

Physical activity in after-school programs: comparison with physical activity policies.

BACKGROUND: After-school programs (ASPs) across the nation have been asked to increase the amount of activity children accumulate during such programs. Policies/standards that benchmark the amount of total activity (light-to-vigorous physical activity, LVPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) accumulated in an ASP have been developed. Little is known about the prevalence of children meeting these goals. METHODS: Children (N = 812, 6 to 12 y old) attending 19 ASPs wore accelerometers for 4 days while attending an ASP. LVPA and MVPA were dichotomized according to existing ASP policies/standards. Data on whether a policy/standard was met were compared between gender, age, BMI, race/ethnicity, and ASP-type (faith-, school-, community-based) using mixed-model logistic-regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of meeting an LVPA policy/standard ranged from 75.4% (National Afterschool Association [NAA], 20% of program time spent in LVPA) to 97.8% (NAA, 20% of time in attendance spent in LVPA), and meeting an MVPA policy/standard ranged from 0.3% (California, 60 min MVPA/d) to 26.9% (North Carolina, 20% of attendance spent in MVPA). Boys, younger children, nonwhites, and children attending faith-or community-based ASPs were more likely to meet any policy/standard. CONCLUSION: Current practice in ASPs is sufficient to meet LVPA policies/standards but insufficient to meet MVPA policy/standards. Efforts must be directed toward identifying the most appropriate policy/standard and strategies to meet it.

A comprehensive professional development training's effect on afterschool program staff behaviors to promote healthy eating and physical activity.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate a comprehensive intervention designed to support staff and program leaders in the implementation of the YMCA of USA healthy eating and physical activity (HEPA) standards for their afterschool programs (3-6 pm). DESIGN: Pre- (fall 2011) and postassessment (spring 2012) no-control group. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Four large-scale YMCA afterschool programs serving approximately 500 children. INTERVENTION: Professional development training founded on the 5Ms (ie, Mission, Model, Manage, Monitor, and Maximize) and LET US Play principles (ie, Lines, Elimination, Team size, Uninvolved staff/kids, and Space, equipment, and rules), on-site booster training sessions, workshops, and ongoing technical support for staff and program leaders from January to May 2012. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: System for Observing Staff Promotion of Activity and Nutrition. ANALYSIS: Multilevel mixed-effects linear (ie, staff behaviors expressed as a percentage of the number of scans observed) and logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 5328 System for Observing Staff Promotion of Activity and Nutrition scans were completed over the 2 measurement periods. Of the 20 staff behaviors identified in HEPA standards and measured in this study, 17 increased or decreased in the appropriate direction. For example, the proportion staff engaged in physical activity with children increased from 26.6% to 37% and the proportion of staff eating unhealthy foods decreased from 42.1% to 4.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive professional development training, founded on the 5Ms and LET US Play principles, and ongoing technical assistance can have a sizable impact on key staff behaviors identified by HEPA standards for afterschool programs.

A conceptual model for training after-school program staffers to promote physical activity and nutrition.

BACKGROUND: After-school programs (ASPs, 3 pm to 6 pm) have been called upon to increase the amount of daily physical activity children accumulate and improve the nutritional quality of the snacks served. To this end, state and national physical activity and nutrition (PAaN) policies have been proposed. Frontline staff who directly interact with children on a daily basis are charged with the responsibility to meet policy goals. Without appropriate skills, staffers' ability to achieve such goals is limited. The gap between policies and improvements in PAaN must be bridged through professional development training. This article describes the development of an ASP staff professional development training program. METHODS: A systematic review was performed to identify relevant theoretical perspectives, empirical evidence, and recommended best practices relating to promoting PAaN of children. RESULTS: A comprehensive professional development framework was developed that incorporated the key elements identified from the review. These elements were distilled into 5 primary categories and conceptually referred to as the 5 Ms: mission-clearly defined policy/standards for PAaN; motivate-providing choices, developmentally appropriate activities, feedback, and encouragement; manage-structuring and managing the environment for safety, routines, and discipline; monitor-ongoing evaluation of PAaN; and maximize-incorporating all former Ms. CONCLUSIONS: The application of this training framework should lead to improved implementation and eventual achievement of policy goals for PAaN in ASPs. These competencies need to be developed in all ASPs if widespread improvements in PAaN within the ASP setting are to be realized.