Rationale and development of the Move More North Carolina: Recommended Standards for Afterschool Physical Activity

Purpose: To describe the rationale and procedure employed in developing the Move More North Carolina: Recommended Standards for Physical Activity Afterschool to be released state-wide in April 2009.

Background: In NC, approximately 152,000 children (< 18yrs) are served in afterschool programs. Programs often serve children at high risk for physical inactivity including children from racial/ethnic minorities, impoverished areas, with disabilities, and/or living in neighborhoods with limited opportunity for physical activity (PA). The Standards are intended to help children and adolescents meet recommended amounts of PA. The Standards were developed by the Move More Afterschool Collaborative; a partnership of officials of afterschool providers, public health personnel, and scientists. The rationale for developing standards for PA in afterschool programs is threefold: programs can provide enjoyable, safe and age appropriate PA; they can facilitate family involvement, community partnership and increase access to resources for PA; and they serve children at risk for inactivity

Methods: The Standards are based on current research and expert opinion. Methods used to inform The Standards included: On-line surveys, Focus Groups, literature review, Consensus Panel, and External expert review and, and the Move More Afterschool Collaborative. The Standards outline best practices to increase amount and quality of PA among program participants and can be applied in any program type. Recommended best practices are included for the following categories: Time/Intensity, Qualified Staff/Training, Curriculum, Program Size, Facilities, Equipment, and Evaluation.

Conclusion: The development of The Standards can serve as a model for the collaborative development of similar standards in other states.