Are afterschool program environments supportive of children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity?

Background:Afterschool programs (ASPs) have been called upon to provide children moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). However, little is known about physical activity offerings in ASPs. The availability and type (e.g., freeplay or organized games) of physical activity opportunities, their structure (e.g., presence of lines, elimination games), and ASP staff behaviors (e.g., encouragement, engaged) all influence the amount of children’s MVPA during ASPs. This study explored ASPs ability to promote MVPA by describing the factors above in 20 ASPs serving over 1,700 elementary-age children.

Methods:The System for Observing Staff Promotion of Physical Activity and Nutrition collected the occurrence, type and structure of physical activity opportunities on 3 non-consecutive unannounced program days in each program.

Results:Throughout the spring of 2013 (February-April), 4,660 SOSPAN scans were completed across 63 ASP days with 1733 scans during physical activity. ASPs scheduled 66.3 minutes (range 15-150min) of physical activity daily on average. Physical activity opportunities were observed in all 20 sites, on 60 observation days, with 73% of those opportunities classified as free play. When organized games were observed the structure of those games discouraged MVPA. Staff physical activity promotion behaviors were rarely observed. For example, staff verbally promoted physical activity in just 6.1% of scans, while organized games were more likely to involve lines and elimination.

Conclusion: Ample activity opportunities were observed, however, the structure of those opportunities and staff behaviors did not support MVPA. Professional development training may enhance staff physical activity promotion and the structure of physical activity opportunities.