Physical Activity 4 Every1: preventing the decline in moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) physical activity among students attending secondary schools in low-income communities

This study will evaluate the Physical Activity 4 Every1 (PA4E1) program - a multi-component physical activity intervention which aims to prevent the decline in moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) physical activity among students attending secondary schools in low-income communities. The program will provide students with an opportunity to increase their knowledge, skills and attitudes toward physical activity. The PA4E1 program was developed in reference to Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory and will target the following mediators of behaviour change: self-efficacy, social support, personal regulation of health behaviour, environmental perceptions, outcome expectations and expectancies. The intervention will be delivered within consenting intervention schools, with support from an in-school physical activity consultant. Based on the evidence from descriptive and experimental research the intervention will comprise the following components: Formal Curriculum 1. Implementation of teaching strategies to maximise student activity levels within physical education (PE) classes. Regular pedometer-based PE lessons and curriculum material will be introduced to assist students meet the recommended 50% of PE class time in MVPA. 2. Implementation of annual individual physical activity plans in Health and Physical Education (HPE) that include: fitness assessments; long and short term personal goals for improving or maintaining regular physical activity; specific actions and timelines to achieve those goals; methods to be used to record actions and assess progress; and rewards for achieving goals. 3. Modification of school policies that encourage low-active students to be more physically active. The policies within each intervention school will be reviewed with the aim of establishing policies that enhance physical activity, and modifying existing policies that may be inhibiting policies. 4. Implementation of enhanced sports programs for all students. All students will be scheduled to participate in age appropriate 10 week programs during sport while they are in Years 7, 8 or 9. The sports programs will be based on Program X (for girls) and PALs (for boys), both of which have been shown to be efficacious. The programs include; health-related fitness activities, pedometers for self-monitoring, lunch-time activities (PALs only), information for parents, e-mail support (Program X only) and interactive seminars. 5. Implementation of daily accessible evidence based PA programs for boys and girls during school breaks including increasing the availability of facilities and equipment. Partnerships and Services 6. Implementation of weekly accessible after-school PA programs through linkages with community sporting groups or fitness industry. 7. Parent engagement: A number of strategies will be employed to encourage parents to; increase their children’s physical activity, be active with their children at home and in the community. Regular information will be sent to parents via existing schools newsletters and newly developed program newsletters to support the activities occurring within the school. The overall duration in which these interventions will be applied is 1.5 school years.