ERIC Number: EJ1375993
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-5037
EISSN: EISSN-2168-3751
Improving Use of Physical Fitness Testing Data in Middle Schools to Inform Equitable School-Wide Physical Activity Practices: A Mixed-Methods Approach
Johnson, Ashleigh M.; Kroshus, Emily; Hafferty, Kiana R.; Senturia, Kirsten; Garrett, Kimberly A.; Tandon, Pooja S.
American Journal of Health Education, v54 n1 p50-61 2023
Background: Most United States schools include school-based physical fitness testing (SB-PFT), yet little evidence shows how it is implemented, perceived, and used. Purpose: 1) Explore stakeholders' experiences with SB-PFT; 2) identify: challenges in analyzing fitness data, ways schools can use fitness data, and predictors of meeting fitness benchmarks. Methods: Data were collected in a partner school district (King County, Washington, USA). We conducted and analyzed qualitative interviews with middle schoolers (n = 30), parents (n = 20), and school staff (n = 5); and identified student-level predictors of meeting fitness benchmarks with two-level mixed effects logistic regression models using district's fitness assessment data (grades 4-8). Results: Stakeholders identified challenges and provided feedback on SB-PFT, and predictors of meeting fitness benchmarks were identified. Discussion: Findings suggest SB-PFT has potential to be useful in promoting adolescents' fitness, but opportunities exist to improve the testing process and the ways that results are shared and utilized. Translation to Health Education Practice: Teachers would benefit from resources to understand and discuss the role of SB-PFT in a physically active lifestyle with students, ensure a positive testing experience by conducting assessments more privately and taking the time to practice assessments beforehand, and track testing outcomes and relevant demographics. A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) http:// portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars
Descriptors: Physical Fitness, Testing, Middle School Students, Physical Activity Level, Barriers, Predictor Variables, Benchmarking, Stakeholders, Feedback (Response), Program Effectiveness, Life Style, Student Experience, Middle School Teachers, Administrators, Data Use
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: US Department of Health and Human Services
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Washington
Grant or Contract Numbers: ASTWH190078