Competency-Based Professional Development Training Impact on Physical Activity Promotion

Thursday, April 25, 2013
Exhibit Hall Poster Area 2 (Convention Center)
R. Glenn Weaver1, Falon Tilley1, Rahma Ajja1, Rohan Shah1, Daria Winnicka1, Morgan Hughey1, Collin A. Webster2, Aaron Beighle3, Russell R. Pate1, Ruth Saunders1 and Michael W. Beets1, (1)University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, (2)University of Wollongong, Australia, (3)University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Background/Purpose Afterschool program (ASP) policies call upon staff to exhibit behaviors/management strategies linked to children's physical activity (PA). Research indicates staff do not display these behaviors/management strategies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a competency-based professional development training utilizing the 5Ms (mission, motivate, manage, monitor, maximize) and LET-US-Play (lines; elimination; team size; uninvolved staff/children and space, equipment, rules) conceptual frameworks.

Method Four large scale ASPs serving ~500 children participated in a pilot intervention using a quasi-experimental pre-post design. Observation of staff behaviors/management strategies were collected at baseline (Fall 2011) and post intervention (Spring 2012) via the System for Observing Staff Promotion of Activity and Nutrition (SOSPAN); a newly established reliable and valid direct observation instrument. Four trainings were delivered at each site January-April 2012. Changes in staff promotion behaviors/management strategies over time were examined using random intercept regression models.

Analysis/Results A total of 4525 SOSPAN scans were completed across baseline and post-intervention. At baseline staff promotion behaviors/management strategies were observed 2.8 to 27.8 percent of the time. Post intervention, nine of the ten staff promotion behaviors/management strategies showed statistically significant changes ranging from -7.8% to 19.8%. All changes were in the desired direction (i.e. decreased PA discouragement, increased staff engagement in PA with children).

Conclusions The 5Ms and LET-US-Play training is an effective approach for increasing staff behaviors/management strategies linked to child PA. This training can serve as a foundation for interventions to assist ASPs achievement of PA policies.