Secular Changes in Physical Education Attendance Among U.S. High School Students, 1991-2015

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors Trends Among Black High School Students, 2009-2019

Purpose: Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors are key contributors to the rising rates of childhood obesity. Though many adolescents are aware of the benefits of exercise, youth in America are not sufficiently active. This study examined changes in physical activity (PA), physical education (PE), and sedentary behaviors among Black adolescents. Methods: Pooled data from Black high school students (n = 2,233) who completed the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) from 2009-2019 in Broward County, Florida, were analyzed. Logistic and linear regression models examined trends in selected physical activity indicators. Results: There were no significant changes in recommended physical activity levels (p = .829), daily physical activity (p = .44), PE class attendance (p = .054), or the average number of days of PA engagement (p = .304) for this time period. However, there was a significant decline in daily PE class attendance, the average number of days of PE attendance, and excessive television watching (p < .001). There were also increases in excessive video gaming and computer usage (p = .002). Conclusion: Adolescents' physical activity behaviors have not declined substantially over the past decade. However, sedentary behaviors, such as computer use and video gaming, have markedly increased. Results presented here should assist in broadening the understanding of Black adolescents' views on weight and physical activity and developing local programs and interventions to promote regular physical activity aimed at this population.

Availability of Recreation Facilities and Parks In Relation to Adolescent Participation in Organized Sports and Activity Programs

Most adolescents do not meet physical activity guidelines, so understanding facilitators and barriers is important. This study used surveys and geocoded location data to examine associations of availability of parks and recreation facilities with adolescent-reported participation in organized team sports and physical activity classes. The study was conducted with 928 adolescents aged 12-17 years, plus one parent/caretaker, recruited from two regions of the US. Adolescents' participation in teams and classes was positively associated with parents' perceptions of multiple available recreation environments, but not with objectively-measured availability. Having multiple nearby parks and recreation facilities may provide adolescents with more options for participating in preferred organized team sports and activity classes.

Time Trends in Physical Activity Using Wearable Devices: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Studies from 1995 to 2017

INTRODUCTION

Conflicting evidence exists on whether physical activity (PA) levels of humans have changed over the last quarter-century. The main objective of this study was to determine if there is evidence of time trends in PA, from cross-sectional studies that assessed PA at different time points using wearable devices (e.g., pedometers and accelerometers). A secondary objective was to quantify the rate of change in PA.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted of English-language studies indexed in PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science (1960-2020) using search terms (time OR temporal OR secular) AND trends AND (steps per day OR pedometer OR accelerometer OR MVPA). Subsequently, a meta-analytic approach was used to aggregate data from multiple studies and to examine specific factors (i.e., sex, age-group, sex and age-group, and PA metric).

RESULTS

Based on 16 peer-reviewed scientific studies conducted between 1995 and 2017, levels of ambulatory PA are trending downward in developed countries. Significant declines were seen in both males and females (P < 0.001) as well as in children (P = 0.020), adolescents (P < 0.001), and adults (P = 0.004). The average study duration was 9.4 yr (accelerometer studies, 5.3 yr; pedometer studies, 10.8 yr). For studies that assessed steps, the average change in PA was -1118 steps per day over the course of the study (P < 0.001), and adolescents had the greatest change in PA at -2278 steps per day (P < 0.001). Adolescents also had the steepest rate of change over time, expressed in steps per day per decade.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence from studies conducted in eight developed nations over a 22-yr period indicates that PA levels have declined overall, especially in adolescents. This study emphasizes the need for continued research tracking time trends in PA using wearable devices.

Rationale for the Essential Components of Physical Education

Purpose: This introductory article provides the context and rationale for conducting systematic literature reviews on each of the essential components of physical education, including policy and environment, curriculum, appropriate instruction, and student assessment. Methods: Four research teams from Doctoral Physical Education Teacher Education programs (D-PETE) conducted these systematic reviews using the PRISMA guidelines process. Results: This article explains the role of the national framework for increasing physical education and physical activity (i.e., Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program) in supporting the essential components of physical education. It also highlights the expectations for physical education and provides a brief history of these components. Lastly, this article highlights each of the articles presented in the special feature. Conclusion: Understanding the implementation of these components may be important for improving the physical education experience for all students and creating a foundation for lifelong physical activity and health.

Associations Among K-12 Student Outcomes, National Standards, and Physical Education Curricular Models: A Systematic Review

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to systematically review studies that explored associations between specific curricular models, as an essential component of physical education, and to assess how the student outcomes identified in the models aligned with the national standards. Methods: Using the PRISMA guidelines to identify, screen, determine eligibility, and include relevant ones, studies were extracted by a search of six databases using terms related to physical education-specific curricular models and student outcome measures. After screening, 23 articles met the inclusion criteria. Results: Students included in these studies ranged from 3^rd-12^th grade, although the majority of studies used students from 3^rd-8^th grade. A total of 58 associations between eight physical education curricular models and student outcomes were assessed, with 41 (70.6%) of those associations being beneficial. Student outcomes included measures of physical activity and fitness, psychosocial variables, classroom behavior, and knowledge. Aligning the national standards to these studies revealed that specific standards were underrepresented compared to others. Conclusions: Results of this systematic review suggest that there is some association between curricular models and student outcomes, although results reported for specific student populations, particularly K-2^nd grade, were lacking. Furthermore, specific student outcomes related to the national standards were underrepresented compared to others. Researchers should take a standards-based approach when deciding which student outcomes to measure and should further explore the associations between curricular models and student outcomes across grade levels.

A Higher Step Count Is Associated with the Better Evaluation of Physical Education Lessons in Adolescents

The current study aimed to determine: (a) the step counts of boys and girls in habitual physical education (PE) lessons during school teaching practice, (b) the association between the physical load and the evaluation of PE lessons in boys and girls, and (c) the differences in the meeting of the recommendations for PA in PE lessons between Czech and Polish boys and girls. A total of 4092 adolescents from 74 Czech and 58 Polish secondary schools participated in the study. The step counts were monitored using pedometers, while the attitudes towards PE were assessed using a PE lesson evaluation questionnaire. On average, the Czech boys reached 2476 steps (Polish boys reached 2148 steps) and the Czech girls reached 1766 steps (Polish girls reached 1946 steps) in their PE lessons. A higher step count in PE lessons was associated with higher odds of a positive evaluation of PE lessons in boys (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.123–1.626, p = 0.001) and girls (OR = 1.72, 95%CI = 1.449–2.032, p < 0.001). This study provides evidence that a higher step count in PE is associated with a positive evaluation of PE lessons in boys and girls. The findings are important to support the restoration habits on a regular PA in the post-pandemic time.

Cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness associations with older adolescent cognitive control

BACKGROUND

Participation in physical activity supports greater cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), a correlate of cognitive control. However, the relationship between muscular fitness (MF) and cognitive control is less clear. The present study investigated the differential relationship of CRF and MF with cognitive control in older adolescents.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved students (15-17 years old, n = 541, 43% female) from 20 secondary schools who completed tests of inhibition (modified flanker task), working memory (n-back task), CRF (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run), and MF (standing long jump and push-up test). Multilevel analyses tested the association between CRF or MF and cognitive outcomes while accounting for the influence of the other fitness variable and relevant demographic factors.

RESULTS

CRF predicted response accuracy during incongruent flanker trials, the condition requiring greater inhibition. For the working memory task, CRF predicted greater target accuracy and greater d' scores on the 1-back task, requiring lesser amounts of working memory. In the 2-back task, which requires greater amounts of working memory, CRF also predicted greater target and non-target accuracy and d' scores. Comparatively, MF did not predict any cognitive outcomes after adjustment for CRF.

CONCLUSION

CRF was selectively related to better performance during task conditions that require greater amounts of inhibition and working memory. This finding suggests that CRF, but not MF, may benefit cognitive control in older adolescents. This selective influence of CRF on older adolescents' cognition highlights the value of aerobic physical activity.

Physical education class participation is associated with physical activity among adolescents in 65 countries

In this study we examined the associations of physical education class participation with physical activity among adolescents. We analysed the Global School-based Student Health Survey data from 65 countries (N = 206,417; 11-17 years; 49% girls) collected between 2007 and 2016. We defined sufficient physical activity as achieving physical activities ≥ 60 min/day, and grouped physical education classes as '0 day/week', '1-2 days/week', and ' ≥ 3 days/week' participation. We used multivariable logistic regression to obtain country-level estimates, and meta-analysis to obtain pooled estimates. Compared to those who did not take any physical education classes, those who took classes ≥ 3 days/week had double the odds of being sufficiently active (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.84-2.28) with no apparent gender/age group differences. The association estimates decreased with higher levels of country's income with OR 2.37 (1.51-3.73) for low-income and OR 1.85 (1.52-2.37) for high-income countries. Adolescents who participated in physical education classes 1-2 days/week had 26% higher odds of being sufficiently active with relatively higher odds for boys (30%) than girls (15%). Attending physical education classes was positively associated with physical activity among adolescents regardless of sex or age group. Quality physical education should be encouraged to promote physical activity of children and adolescents.

Adolescents' physical activity: cross-national comparisons of levels, distributions and disparities across 52 countries

BACKGROUND

Despite global concerns regarding physical inactivity, limited cross-national evidence exists to compare adolescents' physical activity participation. We analysed data from 52 high- and low-middle income countries, with activity undertaken inside and outside of school in 2015. We investigated gender and socioeconomic disparities, and additionally examined correlations with country-level indices of physical education (PE) curriculum time allocation, wealth, and income inequality.

METHODS

We compared adolescents' reported activity levels inside and outside of school using nationally representative cross-sectional data from 52 high- and low-middle income countries (N = 347,935)-the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2015. Students reported average attendance (days/week) in PE classes, and the days/week engaged in moderate activity (MPA) and vigorous activity (VPA) outside of school. We also compared gender and socioeconomic disparities, and additionally examined correlations with purported determinants-country-level estimates of PE curriculum time allocation, wealth, and income inequality.

RESULTS

Average activity levels differed substantially both between and within regions, with potentially important differences in distributions identified-such as a bimodal distribution in the U.S. and Canada in PE. Males were more active than females, as were those from households with higher rather than lower household wealth; these disparities were modest for PE, but higher for moderate and vigorous activity outside school-there was strong evidence for heterogeneity in the magnitude of these disparities (e.g., I2 > 95% for gender differences across all countries). PE class attendance was positively correlated with PE curriculum time allocation (rho = 0.36); activity outcomes were inconsistently associated with country-level wealth and income inequality.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings reveal extensive cross-country differences in adolescents' physical activity; in turn, these highlight policy areas that could ultimately improve global adolescent health, such as the incorporation of minimum country-level PE classes, and the targeting of gender and socioeconomic disparities in activity conducted outside of school. Our findings also highlight the utility of educational databases such as PISA for use in global population health research.

Physical Inactivity in Childhood from Preschool to Adolescence

Preventing physical inactivity in youth starts in the preschool years and requires strategies targeting schools, caregivers and families that limit excessive screen time and improve participation in PE, organized sports and active play.