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...
Main Authors: | , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
MDPI AG
2019-03-01
|
Series: | Children |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/6/3/49 |
_version_ | 1818621358474526720 |
---|---|
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. |
first_indexed | 2024-12-16T18:08:00Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-253e1aee051c4bda9fdb7ee7963df981 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2227-9067 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-12-16T18:08:00Z |
publishDate | 2019-03-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Children |
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 |