Background/Purpose Children should engage in 60 minutes of daily physical activity for health benefits. Activity time can accrue during physical education, in which students should be active at least 50% of the lesson's time. The purpose of this study was to investigate (a) to what extent effective physical educators meet this time recommendation and (b) how physical activity levels vary with teachers' content expertise?
Method This descriptive study involved direct observations on two effective physical educators. Each teacher delivered stronger and weaker instructional units to fifth graders. Physical activity levels were measured using System of Observing Fitness Instruction Time (SOFIT) and presented as percent engagement time in sedentary behaviors and in moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Interobserver agreement for Taylor and Kayla was conducted on average of 33% and 42% of the observations (respectively) with 98% and 99% mean agreement (respectively).
Analysis/Results Activity levels were recorded from videotapes and displayed on graphs. Graphic data were visually analyzed. In Taylor's stronger and weaker units' average engagement in sedentary behaviors equaled 47% and 46% of the lessons' time (respectively). MVPA was detected on average during 30% and 31% of the time (respectively). In Kayla's stronger and weaker units average engagement in sedentary behaviors equaled 42% and 46% of the time (respectively). MVPA was accrued during 28% and 21% of the time (respectively).
Conclusions Sedentary behaviors were more prevalent in all units for both teachers. Recommendations for activity time were not met in any unit. MVPA Engagement did not vary with teachers' content expertise.