Time and resource limitations linked to poor physical activity outcomes in community-based intervention

(4.) Pate, et al. (2003). Evaluation of a community based intervention to promote physical activity in youth: lessons from Active Winners. American Journal of Health Promotion, 17:171-182

Target Group: 5th grade students

Program Name: Active Winners

Location: Two rural communities in southern United States

Program Theory: Social cognitive theory & Pender’s health promotion model

Study Objective: To test the effects of a community-based physical activity intervention designed to increase physical activity.

Study Design:
- quasi-experimental design - 261 control students and 175 intervention students from 6 different schools; 23 classrooms
- physical activity behavior measured by self-report; students asked to recall 30-minute blocks of moderate or vigorous physical activity from the previous day
- psychosocial measures of physical activity measured by questionnaires

Intervention or Program:
- 18 month intervention with four components:
1) Active Kids: after-school and summer physical activity program with focus on non-competitive physical activity
2) Active Home: regular newsletter, take-home assignments for family physical activity, and family activity nights
3) Active School: activities to make physical activity more accessible and appealing
4) Active Community: creation of a wellness committee of teachers and staff; physical activity activities highlighted in newspapers and incorporated at community events

Impact on Physical Activity:
- no significant differences in mean daily number of 30-minute blocks of moderate to vigorous physical activity outside of school hours between intervention and control

Comments:
- self-report of physical activity has inherent limitations which may have contributed to lack of findings
- due to time and resource limitations, authors discuss that the home, school and community components of this program were not implemented as initially planned