Analysis of the Factors That Influence a Quality Physical Education in Mexico: School Supervision's Perspective

Different international organizations have spoken out in favor of the value of physical activity in the integral development of children and adolescents, which is why different guidelines have been established for governments to facilitate quality Physical Education. In this sense, the objective of this study was to analyze the factors that influence the performance of PE teachers, from the perspective of pedagogical technical advisors and school district supervisors from various school zones from the State of Chihuahua. This was a transversal study, with a qualitative approach and phenomenological focus, which was chosen because it allows the understanding of these aspects from a unique and unrepeatable process; data collection was carried out through focus groups in which PE ATP supervisors participated and data were collaboratively analyzed. The main results indicated that Physical Education does not have the same importance as other subjects, a situation that is reflected in: constant curricular reforms, administrative inconsistencies, dependence on the school organization, and being seldom taken into account in decision-making. It was concluded that strict public policies are required to be applied uniformly throughout the country, as well as privilege Physical Education within the Basic Education curriculum in Mexico.

Definitions of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD): A Literature Review of Epidemiological Research in Australia

Objective: To identify how Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities are defined in epidemiological research in Australia and provide a definition of CALD status that aids the consistency and interpretability of epidemiological studies. Methods: Peer-reviewed literature from January 2015 to May 2020 was searched via four databases (Ovid Medline combined with PubMed, Embase, Emcare, and CINAHL) to identify quantitative studies of CALD people in Australia. Results: A total of 108 studies met the criteria for inclusion in the review. Country of birth was the most commonly used CALD definition (n = 33, 30.6%), with combinations of two or more components also frequently used (n = 31, 28.7%). No studies used all the components suggested as core to defining CALD status. including country of birth, languages other than English spoken at home, English proficiency, and indigenous status. Conclusions: There was considerable inconsistency in how CALD status was defined. The review suggests that CALD status would best be defined as people born in non-English speaking countries, and/or who do not speak English at home. Additionally, indigenous peoples should be considered separately. This recommended definition will support the better identification of potential health disparity and needs in CALD and indigenous communities.

Playground activities and gender variation in objectively measured physical activity intensity in Australian primary school children: a repeated measures study

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have sought to address the limited time for physical activity by focusing on increasing physical activity intensity among students during non-curricula periods and specifically school break times. We objectively measured the intensity of student physical activity (PA) during recess and lunch breaks at primary schools in the Western Sydney region of New South Wales (NSW), Australia using a 12-month repeated measures observation design study.

METHODS

Systematic direct observation of recess and lunch breaks over a ten-week period in 2014 and 2015. 120 recess and lunch breaks across twenty schools (2014) with 839 periodic observations and across 15 schools with 587 periodic observations in 2015. Both observation periods were conducted over 10-weeks in Term 4 (September - December).

RESULTS

The mean proportion of vigorous physical activity reported as a percentage (%VPA) across both time points was 16.6% (SD = 23.4). 36.8% (SD = 26.0) of time was spent walking and the remaining time (46.6%; SD = 30.4) was spent in sedentary activities. There was a significant decline in %VPA and increase in sedentary activity (p < 0.01) between the two time periods of measurement. In 2014, boys spent twice as much time in %VPA than girls during breaks in the school day and in 2015 this increased to nearly three times as much time in %VPA. %VPA also varied on the type of surface PA took place and the types of activities the children were allowed to undertake during breaks.

CONCLUSIONS

Recess and lunch breaks potentially offer an opportunity for children to participate in unstructured PA during the school day. Substantial variations in the %VPA during these periods exist. Addressing playground gender participation disparities and space usability/accessibility may be a necessary first step in promoting higher PA intensities during breaks.

Rationale and protocol paper for the Healthy Active Peaceful Playgrounds for Youth (HAPPY) study

Background

A growing body of evidence suggest an association between physical activity levels and students psychological well-being. A number of research studies have evaluated playground interventions that aim to increase physical activity levels, decrease conflict and bullying, and improve students behaviour. The HAPPY Study will evaluate the success of an intervention combining environmental modifications, teacher development, and peer support that can culminate in an easy to implement, low cost and effective model for increasing physical activity, and improving psychological well-being for children.

Methods/Design

Data will be collected at six New South Wales (NSW) primary schools, on physical activity levels, on-task time during classes, and social support for physical activity during a 12 month Cluster Controlled Trial (CT). Three quantitative data collection tools will be used to capture student’s physical activity levels during lunch and recess breaks (the SOPARC tool), student’s on-task behaviour during classes following recess and lunch breaks (the BOSS tool) and where students receive the most encouragement to be physically active from (the Physical Activity Social Support Scale survey). Baseline data will be analysed against follow-up data, collected after an intervention that is rolled out in all schools as part of a stepped wedge CT design.

Discussion

A review of relevant Australian and New Zealand literature suggests that playground interventions can be successful at increasing physical activity levels, increasing social and conflict resolution skills in students, and decreasing incidences of bullying. This study will investigate any correlation between physical activity levels, and student behaviour during classes following breaks.

Trial Registration

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register ACTRN12616000575437, registered May 2016.

Effect of gender on students’ emotion with gender-related public self-consciousness as a moderator in mixed-gender physical education classes

The present study investigates whether gender-related public self-consciousness moderates the relationship between students’ gender and emotions in mixed-gender physical education classes. The Positive and Negative Affect Scales and the Gender-related Public Self-Consciousness Scale were administered to 380 middle-school students in South Korea. The preliminary analysis included a t-test and ANOVA. Subsequently, a hierarchical regression analysis was performed. The results showed that girls’ gender-related public self-consciousness was significantly higher than that of boys. Further, gender-related public self-consciousness significantly moderated the relationship between gender and positive emotion, and while it moderated the relationship between gender and negative emotion, the effect was negligible. Gender-related public self-consciousness plays a role in mixed-gender physical education class. Thus, gender and gender-related public self-consciousness can help educators better understand students’ emotions. These findings can inform guidelines for planning mixed-gender physical education course curricula