Background/Purpose Despite promise, little research has examined the challenges of implementing after-school physical activity programs targeting youth most at-risk of inactivity (i.e., urban/minority/low socio-economic/females/non-athletes). This study investigated leaders' perspectives on conducting after-school physical activity clubs (PACs) in urban high schools.
Method Adult leaders formed PACs at 14 economically-depressed, urban high schools as fun, safe, supportive places to do physical activity with friends. Clubs were meant to be student-centered, target traditionally inactive students, and avoid competitive sports. Over two years, 557 PAC sessions were conducted averaging 18.2 students. Eighty-nine teacher and 102 student interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed using constant comparison and analytic induction. Trustworthiness was sought through peer debriefers, prolonged engagement, negative case analyses, and member checks.
Analysis/Results Club leaders reported four key dilemmas. First, many struggled giving students ownership in club activities, especially when students requested activities outside the leaders' expertise. Second, leaders identified transportation and safety as barriers for students who missed buses to attend sessions and then walked home after sunset in high crime areas. Third, leaders reported constantly negotiating with administrators and coaches for space to conduct the clubs. Fourth, leaders vacillated between recruiting students through personal invitation over broader advertising to preserve the atmosphere of the clubs.
Conclusions Results suggest that urban PAC leaders face a mix of personal, institutional, and recruitment dilemmas in conducting after-school clubs, and that if the promise of PACs is to be realized (increasing vulnerable students' PA) a systematic preparation program tailored to specific community dynamics may prove useful.