Practices of physical educators regarding out-of-school physical activity promotion

Graduation date: 2012The role of schools and physical education curriculum in the promotion of physical activity (PA) has been widely recognized in recent years and schools have been identified as an appropriate setting for the promotion of PA (Cale, 2000). Physical educators have the unique role of working with children in a physically active environment, and have been called upon to work towards increasing PA behaviors of children outside of the school-based environment. Thus, this study was designed to examine the factors associated with out-of-school PA promotion by physical educators. The purpose of the first study was to identify the predictive factors associated with physical educators assigning PA homework. The results revealed that the most important factors associated with physical educators' assigning homework behavior were (a) knowledge of how to assign PA homework; (b) teachers' attitude toward PA homework; and (c) expectations from significant others including; school administrators, parents, other teachers, and people of importance to the physical educator. The second study tested a theoretical model of physical educators' intention and behavior promoting out-of school PA using a framework of the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The results of the study indicated that the importance of (a) knowledge of available PA programs for students; (b) physical educators' attitude toward physical activity promotion; and (c) subjective norm. It is recommended that physical educators have knowledge of local community-based PA programs and extracurricular-based PA programs. Physical educators also need to have an understanding of how to age-appropriate PA homework to their students. Given the importance of subjective norm including support from school administrators, parents, other teachers, and people of importance to the physical educator, it is recommended that physical educators work towards gaining support from these people regarding PA promotion