Effectiveness of a Physical Activity Requirement for High School Students

Increasing physical activity to improve health has received much attention in recent years. In order to increase physical activity levels and the health of adults, it is important to begin to establish patterns of physical activity among youth. Although young people are considered to be the most active population in our society, they often do not exercise according to the recommended levels or adult standards (Felton, Saunders, Ward, Dishman, Dowda, & Pate, 2005; McKenzie, 2001). Because many students are not participating in the recommended amounts of physical activity, school programs have sought to increase time in physical activity during the school day and find ways to promote physical activity outside of school (Tappe & Burgeson, 2004). Requiring students to participate in physical activity outside of school is a fairly new curriculum initiative. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the effectiveness of a statewide outside of school physical activity requirement for high school students. Methods: Forty-four physical education teachers completed a survey describing the strategies they used to obtain high rates of student compliance, the facilitators and barriers for participation, and their perceptions of a requirement for outside of school physical activity. Student contracts used by the teachers for the requirement (n = 200) were analyzed. Interviews were conducted with 10 teachers who reported high levels of student compliance with the requirement, and with 53 of their students. Analysis/Results: Effective teachers held students accountable, gave students a choice regarding appropriate activities, and addressed the requirement in a curricular unit tailored to their program. In addition, teachers were enthusiastic when promoting physical activity, emphasized the five health-related fitness components, maintained consistent contact with parents, and helped students find time to be physically active. The teachers indicated that the requirement had an impact on students, the requirement is necessary for students in physical education, and most students were honest when completing the contracts. Students indicated that they mostly enjoyed the requirement and were honest and participated in the activities they said they did. Students primarily chose fitness activities to complete the requirement. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that short-term modifications in student levels of physical activity can be achieved with a physical activity requirement. Students seemed motivated to continue participation. Identifying the strategies used by effective teachers to encourage participation in physical activity outside of school may assist others in becoming more successful at promoting physical activity.