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ERIC Number: EJ1081120
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-5037
EISSN: N/A
"Active Science": Integrating Physical Activity and Science Learning into the Afterschool Environment
Finn, Kevin E.; Yan, Zi; McInnis, Kyle J.
American Journal of Health Education, v46 n6 p323-328 2015
Background: Afterschool programs offer significant opportunities to increase physical activity levels and improve academic performance of children. Purpose: This study assessed an innovative approach to embed physical activity into science lessons in an afterschool community setting. Methods: Participants were 47 boys and girls (age = 10.8 ± 0.7 years) enrolled in an afterschool program offered at a YMCA located in an economically disadvantaged urban community. The 6-week curriculum included a 30-minute, twice-a-week physical activity intervention. The "Active Science" (n = 16) group participated in a series of age/grade appropriate science lessons that involved using their activity data (i.e., steps, distance, and calories) to explore and reinforce important science concepts. The control group (n = 31) participated in the physical activity component only. Results: A 2(time) × 2(group) repeated multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) test showed that the group was not significant, F (24, 1) = 0.51, P > 0.05. The time effects were significant on steps/hour, F (24,1) = 43.07, distance/hour, F (24,1) = 26.31; calories/hour, F (24,1) = 23.50; and science scores, F (24, 1) = 39.00, all Ps < 0.001. Discussion: The results of this study suggest an active education intervention showed promising effects on promoting physical activity and science learning. Translation to Health Education Practice: Afterschool programs should endorse innovative strategies to incorporate movement and activity into their curricula.
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Massachusetts
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A