Physical Education (PE) can be considered a black box when the interactions between the teacher and the students are unknown. PE as the black box has been embedded in the process-product paradigm. PE teachers can be critical role models for fostering students' actual motor competence (AMC) because students can learn from what they observe from…

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine the beliefs of physical education teachers regarding the value of exergames and the association between exergames and physical literacy. This study employed a sequential two-phase data collection process. The first phase of this study collected quantitative data through an online survey…

Nationally, 76% of school-aged children fail to meet recommendations for 60 minutes of daily physical activity (PA). To increase school-based PA, a comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP) is recommended. A CSPAP is a multicomponent, "whole-of-school approach" that includes five components: (a) quality physical education,…

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which first-year college students' perceptions of their high school physical education experiences have influenced their current levels of physical activity and enjoyment of physical activity. This study provided information on the activities included in high school physical education…

On college campuses, there has been an increase in mental health needs among students. In 2019, 56% of students attended counseling for mental health concerns compared to 46% of students who attended in 2010 (The Center for Collegiate Mental Health, 2019). Colleges have begun focusing on student wellness to assist their students with the…

School violence has been increasing in recent decades. Approximately 77% of public schools reported one or more crime incidents during the school year, amounting to 1.4 million incidents or 29 incidents per 1,000 students (U.S. Department of Justice, 2022). Education leaders continue to explore strategies to improve school safety and circumvent…

In this dissertation, support mechanisms for comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP) leaders were investigated. In the first study, a systematic review was completed that explored the effectiveness of CSPAP professional development/training. In total, 8,982 records were screened and two articles matched the eligibility criteria and…

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with the racial trauma in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been named the "twin pandemics." While physical activity has numerous benefits, including mental health, physical activity declined significantly in youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. The problem of practice seeks to address high school…

Research in kinesiology suggests college students' sedentary behavior and habits increase the risk of premature chronic disease. Physical literacy has been proposed as a possible solution to increase physical activity participation. Participants in this study were community college students (n = 13) enrolled in a required kinesiology wellness and…

Childhood obesity has become a global epidemic, with long-term implications for the physical and psychological well-being of individuals. Elementary schools serve as a crucial environment for addressing this issue by providing physical education (PE) programs. However, barriers to implementing quality PE curricula can impede efforts to fight…

Research recognizes that physical activity habits developed earlier in life are likely to be continued throughout life. To combat rises in obesity rates and declining physical activity levels among adults, studies emphasize the responsibility higher education institutions have in targeting young adult's physical activity habits. Theories of…

This dissertation is presented in multiple article format with an introduction, a literature review, a design case, a mixed methods study, and a conclusion. The literature review outlines important concepts and theories that appear in subsequent manuscripts. The design case describes the seven-year design process that resulted in the online…

Introduction: Education is a social determinant of health, and its intersection with incarceration is a powerful nexus for well-being of students. Whether policies specific to student well-being are associated with exclusionary discipline, a documented risk factor for incarceration, is unknown. This study has three aims: (1) to identify whether…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how females enrolled at a four-year institution of higher education in a northern state described how participation in leisure and campus-sponsored physical activity helped manage their academic stress. Recent research suggests that females often experience academic stress at higher levels than…

Physical activity (PA) has been shown to increase cognitive function, with higher test scores being reported for students engaged in higher levels PA. Additionally, the integration of the Common Core content into physical education allows for more Common Core content practice while students meet physical education objectives. Integration can be…