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Numerous strategies to increase physical activity levels among American youth have been recommended and implemented in schools, and physical education teachers have been identified as the logical personnel in schools to spearhead these attempts. Comprehensive school physical activity programs (CSPAPs) are being promoted, implemented and endorsed in K-12 schools to maximize the amount of physical activity students, staff and members of the community engage in. To this end, several training workshops and programs have been created to train inservice physical education teachers to take on the role of CSPAP champions. Despite this trend, it is unclear whether preservice physical educators are being well prepared to take on this somewhat new role. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the physical education teacher education (PETE) program at the University of Kentucky and to describe how the CSPAP concept is taught and teacher candidates are prepared to take on the role of physical activity champion in a school. A number of learning experiences in which preservice teachers engage are described, and their place within the curriculum is discussed. These learning experiences relate specifically to maximizing physical activity during physical education, implementing strategies for increasing activity during recess and in the classroom setting, creating wellness programs for staff, and developing events to involve parents and community members. Samples of student work are also presented. Finally, future efforts planned to enhance the concepts of CSPAP in the PETE program are shared.

The purpose of this study was to conduct an implementation monitoring evaluation of a yearlong comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP) professional development program across eight multi-state physical education (PE) teacher cohorts. Mixed-method data were collected during a three-year implementation period via workshop attendance sheets and evaluations, post-workshop implementation plans and artifacts, and follow-up phone interviews to enumerate and evaluate the program’s process of recruitment, reach, dose delivered, dose received, fidelity, and context. Recruitment strategies reached a total of 234 PE teacher attendees across eight workshops, with 77 PE teachers (primarily female, elementary, public school teachers) completing all program requirements. Facilitators among full program completers were participation incentives and network opportunities, while common inhibitors were difficulty with online technology and perceptions of added workload. Completers submitted implementation plans with at least three action steps, ranging from 4 to 7 months to accomplish, that predominately commenced with securing administration approval as the first step (81%), focused on implementing student physical activity initiatives beyond PE (76%), and evidenced with mostly picture artifacts (78%). Implementation was facilitated by the presence of multilevel support at school and an elevated image of PE and PE teachers at school, and was inhibited by scheduling constraints, unrealistic planning, and conflicting perceptions of physical activity and PE. Overall, this evaluation reveals unique perspectives of PE teachers regarding schoolwide PA promotion and informs future efforts to target and effectively support CSPAP leaders.

Background/Purpose: Various public health and educational organizations have called for the implementation of comprehensive approaches at the state, district, and school levels to promote physical education and physical activity among children and adolescents. Proponents have argued that physical education teachers are positioned to assume the role of director of physical activity in the school setting; however many physical educators do not see directing comprehensive school physical activity programs (CSPAP) as their responsibility, nor have they been formally trained to provide this measure of leadership. Furthermore, there is limited research on CSPAPs and the associated leadership roles integral to planning, implementing, managing, and evaluating change in this area. The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify the knowledge, skills, and behavioral competencies that a school leader would need to develop in order to implement and sustain a CSPAP.;Method: Researchers used an integrated approach to concept mapping that involved brainstorming, statement analysis and synthesis, sorting and rating of ideas, multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis, and development and interpretation of multiple graphic organizers. These steps were delivered in sequential phases using a web-based communication platform: anonymous brainstorming (n=51), sorting and rating of ideas by key stakeholders ( n=18), and interpretation of maps through semi-structured interviews (n=3). The participants across all phases included K-12 physical educators, school administrators, and higher education researchers identified through systematic review of the literature and snowball sampling.;Analysis/Results: Data aggregation and analysis were completed using multi-dimensional scaling and cluster analysis to determine relationships among brainstormed statements. A variety of maps were developed to graphically display these relationships. Five primary clusters of ideas were identified: (1) Teambuilding and Facilitating, (2) Capacity Building, (3) Knowledge of Instructional Practices, (4) Content Knowledge, and (5) Program Development and Management. Data from the semi-structured interviews were analyzed inductively and used to verify results, determine final cluster names, and identify possible implications for teacher preparation.;Conclusions: The findings support the need for the development of transformational leaders in schools who are capable of empowering others through modification of the work environment, facilitating intrinsic motivation among colleagues, and supplying necessary resources. Teacher education and educational leadership programs have an opportunity to help develop transformational leaders in the area of school physical activity by modifying curricula to provide opportunities for pre-service and in-service teachers to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviors pre-requisite to the implementation and maintenance of CSPAPs within school environments.

In response to calls on physical education teacher education (PETE) programs to better prepare teachers for a broadened role in school-based physical activity promotion, the University of Northern Colorado has recently established a Master of Arts in teaching physical education and physical activity leadership (MAT PE-PAL) degree. The five-semester program is delivered with fall and spring classes offered completely online, and summer classes that consist of both online and on-campus learning experiences so that current school professionals can enroll. The curriculum includes traditional master's level courses in physical education, as well as newly designed courses intended to foster leadership skills in comprehensive school physical activity programming. There are four main components that permeate the curriculum: (1) a strong pedagogical foundation, (2) applied research and evaluation techniques, (3) a broad understanding of the school health environment, and (4) leadership skills. Courses are intentionally sequenced so that students are guided through a systematic process of change while they are enrolled in the program. The culminating experience is a comprehensive portfolio that documents students' efforts and achievements in school-wide physical activity promotion.

Daily physical activity (PA) among children and adolescents remains far below recommended levels, with participation disparities across socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and disability. Whole-school approaches to PA promotion, such as the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP), offer a framework for promoting equitable PA opportunities; however, implementation barriers persist. This article applies the Theory of Expanded, Extended, and Enhanced Opportunities (TEO) to illustrate how digital learning can strengthen CSPAP implementation and address inequities in student PA opportunity access. Examples are provided across the five CSPAP components of Physical Education, During-School PA, Before/After-School PA, Family and Community Engagement, and Staff Wellness. Recommendations include integrating digital PA promotion into wellness policies, addressing both physical and digital divides, safeguarding data privacy, and designing culturally and linguistically responsive resources. Practice considerations emphasize blended and hybrid modalities as complements to in-person learning, alongside sustained professional development for educators and public health stakeholders. Equitable access to PA opportunities and digital technology is positioned as a guiding principle. When implemented intentionally and equitably, digital learning-supported CSPAP strategies have the potential to address systemic barriers, reduce disparities, and support schools in fostering lifelong PA participation.

Physical educators have been identified as ideal school champions to lead comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP) efforts within their schools. As such, they should be adequately prepared to take on this role. Faculty from three physical and health education teacher education programs have collaboratively developed the Adopt-a-School program to address this need. This problem-based service-learning program aids inservice professionals as they implement CSPAPs while simultaneously developing the skills, knowledge and confidence of future physical activity leaders. Through mutually beneficial partnerships, teacher candidate teams and local elementary school champions use the Active Schools and Alliance for a Healthier Generation's Healthy Schools Program websites to support and assess each school's current CSPAP, design and activate an action plan, and celebrate each school's success. Because each school and its needs are unique, teacher candidates have created and completed a variety of school physical activity initiatives over the past six years. An overview of service-learning is provided, followed by an in-depth description of the Adopt-a-School program and perceived stakeholder benefits.

A comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP) is a multi-component framework used by schools to ensure students get at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity and maximize the practical application of physical education knowledge and skills. However, despite overwhelming evidence supporting student benefits of increased physical activity offerings during school, CSPAP implementation remains low. Research indicates that equipping preservice teachers with content knowledge and hands-on experiences in implementing a CSPAP can enhance their self-efficacy to be a physical activity leader (PAL) and increase their likelihood of implementing whole-of-school physical activity programs in the future. Recess is a crucial component of an active school environment and aligns with the objectives of a CSPAP. This article aims to provide a resource for teacher educators to enhance preservice teachers’ understanding of how to expand, extend, and enhance recess to support the goals of a CSPAP.

In the wake of COVID-19, online physical education (OLPE) has become essential to the sustainability of school physical education programs. The purpose of this article is to consider factors that may be influential in efforts to deliver OLPE to students. The comprehensive school physical activity program model is used to frame a multicomponent conceptualization of OLPE and its goals and outcomes. Central to this framing is the intersectionality of school physical education, the family, and the community. This article provides a platform for physical education teacher educators and researchers to advance OLPE in its support of both the educational and public health benefits of high-quality physical education programs.

Purpose: The Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) model has recently been adopted as a national framework for physical activity (PA) promotion in schools. As a result, there is a need to develop an instrument to help leaders of PA measure policies and practices across the five component areas of a CSPAP. To address this gap, our team systematically developed and assessed the psychometric properties of the CSPAP-Q, an instrument designed to assess school policies and practices related to the five components of CSPAP. Methods: The instrument development process began by reviewing existing school health and PA surveys. The Delphi method was then used to evaluate face and content validity through expert feedback. Thirty-eight physical education teachers completed the CSPAP-Q twice over a 14-day period to further establish validity and to assess test-retest reliability. Results: In total, 117 items were identified for the initial review. Upon completion of expert feedback, 22 items were eliminated and 66 items were revised. After reliability testing, three additional items were eliminated due to low test-retest agreement levels (Kappa <.40; non-significant χ2). Ninety-two items were retained in the final version of the CSPAP-Q and kappa values indicated moderate to substantial agreement among items. Conclusions: After validity and reliability testing, results suggest that the CSPAP-Q is a valid and reliable tool for assessing policies and practices related to CSPAP.

The aim of this study was to identify the structure of weekly physical activity (PA) of adolescents with varying degrees of participation in school PA and motivation for PA before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. PA was assessed using the IPAQ-long form and motivation by using the MPAM-R questionnaire. Participants (N = 1257) were divided into groups involved and not involved in school PA. During the pandemic, the greatest decrease was observed in vigorous and moderate PA in boys (H = 98.52, p &lt; 0.001, η2 = 0.179) and girls (H = 56.86, p &lt; 0.001, η2 = 0.075) involved in school PA and in boys involved and not involved in school PA and in transportation PA. Physical education (PE) teachers should focus on promoting vigorous PA and home PA for boys and girls in the post-pandemic period. Student participation in school PA and an increase in overall PA should be supported through distance PE, which should be a mandatory part of PE programs and comprehensive school PA programs.

Purpose: Physical education teacher education programs prepare preservice teachers to lead Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs. Through the coordination of a university’s physical education teacher education program and an elementary school, the purpose of this study was to examine preservice and in-service teachers’ perspectives in implementing a 6-week movement integration program. Method: A total of 12 preservice teachers participated in a weekly online discussion forum as part of a community of practice. In addition, the preservice teachers and three in-service teachers participated in an interview. Data were analyzed for themes. Results: The themes were facilitating implementation through support, sharing ideas for common practice, and overcoming challenges in implementation. Support received by the preservice teachers facilitated the implementation of the program. They also shared strategies to overcome implementation challenges through the weekly online discussions. Discussion/Conclusion: Fostering communities of practice among preservice teachers prepares them for collaboration and movement integration implementation in the future.

ABSTRACTPhysical education (PE) can make meaningful contributions to public health by directly providing moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA) opportunities for school-aged youth. Quality PE aims to contribute indirectly to PA beyond the school day. Unfortunately, insufficient evidence exists regarding the impact of PE on lifelong PA. This has led PE to a crossroads. Moving straight through the crossroads adds comprehensive school physical activity program responsibilities to the PE teacher’s load. Turning left results in PE teachers being replaced by PA leaders. The right turn reaffirms that the aim of PE is to teach youth the skills, knowledge, and dispositions to become physically literate and active for life. The right turn is the most difficult because it requires systemically changing school PE that has remained stagnant for decades. Recommendations are presented that include embracing the comprehensive school physical activity program model, conducting research clearly defining the role of PE and directing the contributions of PE to broader public health aims.

Background: A plethora of new terms and digital pedagogies have been making recent headlines in higher education with the promise, or threat, that digital technology will revolutionise the way in which universities operate. Blended learning is part of this digital revolution and institutions of higher education worldwide are increasingly adopting it as a new mode of delivery. The exposure of blended learning as central to mainstream higher education has been heightened exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Purpose: Challenged by the argument around the concept of ‘blended’ being ill defined, and also given the lack of practical ‘blended’ experiences in physical education teacher education (PETE), this paper aims to explore physical education teacher educators’ and pre-service teachers’ (PSTs’) enactment and experiences of an integrated approach to blended learning. Method: Three physical education teacher educators and two classes of physical education PSTs participated. The integrated blended approach was designed through a block structure which allowed intended outcomes, teaching and learning activities and assessment tasks to be aligned and interconnected. Data collection occurred over two academic years for the same three physical education teacher educators and two different cohorts of PSTs. Focus groups interviews were conducted with the three teacher educators and a voluntary sample of PSTs. PSTs’ learning blogs were also analysed. Results: Findings were presented in three categories: Development of strong building blocks; Blended learning ‘releases the teaching and learning from the grips of the lecturer’; and Assessment in a blended (and non-blended) environment. We attempted to go beyond the binary humanist assumption about blended learning by designing an integrated approach with a clear but flexible structure. That is, with an organic alignment and purposeful integration of all its instructional components. Conclusions: When introducing blended learning in a (physical education) teacher education programme, we suggest designing an aligned and integrated approach structured in blocks, where all instructional components are interconnected and informing each other, enhancing prior knowledge. Given the growing role of digital technology for teaching and learning in educational policies and new PETE curricula, we advocate for the publication of more research-based experiences on blended learning in PETE programmes that might be replicated in other PETE programmes. This would encourage colleagues to explore the implications of digital technology and learn from other PETE contexts and also the sustainability of digital technology as an established mode of delivery.

Many school-based physical activity statutes and regulations have been enacted, with the expectation that schools will comply. However, policy alone does not equate to implementation, and many policies fail for a variety of reasons. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the strength of reported state, district, and school-level physical activity policies were associated with reported recess, physical education, and other school-based physical activity practices at elementary schools in Arizona. A modified Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program(CSPAP) Questionnaire was administered to staff at elementary schools across Arizona (N = 171). Summative indices of the number of school physical activity policies and best practices at the state, district, and school levels were created. Relationships between policy strength and best practices were examined using linear regression analyses stratified by recess, physical education, and other school-based physical activity practices. Stronger physical activity-related policies were associated with a greater number of recess (F1,142 = 9.87, P < .05), physical education (F4,148 = 4.58, P < .05, Adj. R2 = .09), and other school-based physical activity (F4,148 = 4.04, P < .05, Adj. R2 = .07) best practices at all levels while controlling for school-level demographic factors. The strength of policies may improve opportunities for comprehensive physical activity for children in schools. Strengthening policy language (eg,specifying duration and frequency) may contribute to better physical activity practices in schools, improving children's health at the population level.

Many students would benefit from trauma-informed physical activity (PA); however, there is a lack of systematic guidance on incorporating trauma-informed practices across school-based PA opportunities. The purpose of this study was to generate a feasible framework for trauma-informed school-based PA. Framework development was guided by a modified Delphi approach, including an exploration phase and an evaluation phase. First, a multidisciplinary working group reviewed extant literature, mapping trauma-informed practices onto the domains and components of the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP). Subsequently, experts (n = 14) provided quantitative feedback on the utility and feasibility of these practices. Thirty-three practices met pre-determined thresholds for utility and feasibility. Across CSPAP domains, this included attending to: (a) safety; (b) positive communication and relationships; (c) empowerment, choice, and voice; (d) emotion management and skill building; (e) instructor competencies and support; and (f) cultural, historical, and gender issues. Incorporating trauma-informed practices into existing frameworks and approaches to school-based PA may promote uptake of practices that help meet the social and emotional needs of trauma-exposed youth. The present output provides a foundation for generating tools and supports for incorporating trauma-informed practices into school-based PA promotion efforts.