Using the School Environment to Promote Walking amongst Adolescent Females: A Mixed-Method Study

Schools have the potential to promote physical activity (PA) in adolescents through physical education (PE) and extra-curricular PA. The aims of this study were to firstly understand the experiences of adolescent females who participated in a school-based walking programme (the Walking In ScHools (W...

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Main Authors: Angela Carlin, Marie H. Murphy, Alison M. Gallagher
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-03-01
Series:Children
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/6/3/49
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author Angela Carlin
Marie H. Murphy
Alison M. Gallagher
author_facet Angela Carlin
Marie H. Murphy
Alison M. Gallagher
author_sort Angela Carlin
collection DOAJ
description Schools have the potential to promote physical activity (PA) in adolescents through physical education (PE) and extra-curricular PA. The aims of this study were to firstly understand the experiences of adolescent females who participated in a school-based walking programme (the Walking In ScHools (WISH) study) and secondly, to assess the potential for schools to further promote PA outside of structured PE. A sample of female participants (<i>n</i> = 45, mean age 13.1 years) who participated in the WISH study were randomly selected to participate in focus group discussions, to explore their experiences of the intervention. In addition, an online survey was distributed to all post-primary schools (<i>n</i> = 208) in Northern Ireland to assess the provision of extra-curricular PA and further evaluate the feasibility of the WISH study. In total, six focus groups were conducted. Walking during the school day was viewed as an acceptable form of PA by adolescent females, providing an opportunity to be active with friends, and helped participants overcome barriers previously associated with being active at school. Responding schools (<i>n</i> = 59) identified adolescent females and non-sporty pupils as sub-groups who would benefit most from participation in a school-based walking programme. This study has highlighted that the delivery of a walking programme within the school setting is acceptable, warranted and practically feasible from the point of view of adolescent females and key stakeholders within the school setting.
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spelling doaj.art-253e1aee051c4bda9fdb7ee7963df9812022-12-21T22:21:51ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672019-03-01634910.3390/children6030049children6030049Using the School Environment to Promote Walking amongst Adolescent Females: A Mixed-Method StudyAngela Carlin0Marie H. Murphy1Alison M. Gallagher2Centre for Exercise Medicine, Physical Activity and Health, Sports and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, University of Ulster, Jordanstown Campus, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UKCentre for Exercise Medicine, Physical Activity and Health, Sports and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, University of Ulster, Jordanstown Campus, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UKNutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, University of Ulster, Coleraine Campus, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UKSchools have the potential to promote physical activity (PA) in adolescents through physical education (PE) and extra-curricular PA. The aims of this study were to firstly understand the experiences of adolescent females who participated in a school-based walking programme (the Walking In ScHools (WISH) study) and secondly, to assess the potential for schools to further promote PA outside of structured PE. A sample of female participants (<i>n</i> = 45, mean age 13.1 years) who participated in the WISH study were randomly selected to participate in focus group discussions, to explore their experiences of the intervention. In addition, an online survey was distributed to all post-primary schools (<i>n</i> = 208) in Northern Ireland to assess the provision of extra-curricular PA and further evaluate the feasibility of the WISH study. In total, six focus groups were conducted. Walking during the school day was viewed as an acceptable form of PA by adolescent females, providing an opportunity to be active with friends, and helped participants overcome barriers previously associated with being active at school. Responding schools (<i>n</i> = 59) identified adolescent females and non-sporty pupils as sub-groups who would benefit most from participation in a school-based walking programme. This study has highlighted that the delivery of a walking programme within the school setting is acceptable, warranted and practically feasible from the point of view of adolescent females and key stakeholders within the school setting.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/6/3/49physical activityadolescentswalkingschool environment
spellingShingle Angela Carlin
Marie H. Murphy
Alison M. Gallagher
Using the School Environment to Promote Walking amongst Adolescent Females: A Mixed-Method Study
Children
physical activity
adolescents
walking
school environment
title Using the School Environment to Promote Walking amongst Adolescent Females: A Mixed-Method Study
title_full Using the School Environment to Promote Walking amongst Adolescent Females: A Mixed-Method Study
title_fullStr Using the School Environment to Promote Walking amongst Adolescent Females: A Mixed-Method Study
title_full_unstemmed Using the School Environment to Promote Walking amongst Adolescent Females: A Mixed-Method Study
title_short Using the School Environment to Promote Walking amongst Adolescent Females: A Mixed-Method Study
title_sort using the school environment to promote walking amongst adolescent females a mixed method study
topic physical activity
adolescents
walking
school environment
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/6/3/49
work_keys_str_mv AT angelacarlin usingtheschoolenvironmenttopromotewalkingamongstadolescentfemalesamixedmethodstudy
AT mariehmurphy usingtheschoolenvironmenttopromotewalkingamongstadolescentfemalesamixedmethodstudy
AT alisonmgallagher usingtheschoolenvironmenttopromotewalkingamongstadolescentfemalesamixedmethodstudy