A Pilot Evaluation of a Before School Incentive-based Physical Activity Program at the Integrated Arts Academy in Burlington, VT

Background: Currently, less than half of American youth are getting the recommended levels of daily physical activity requirement. To address this gap, the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) recently revised the Education Quality of Standards (EQS) to include a new regulation encouraging K-12 schools to offer at least 30 minutes of physical activity outside of traditional physical education classes. Move it Move it! is a voluntary morning running/walking program designed to build community, increase fitness and better prepare students for learning.

Methods: A mixed-methods pilot evaluation of Move it Move it! was conducted in the Spring of 2014 to assess the impact of a before school physical activity program on three domains of child health and development: academic, social, and physical. Self reported surveys were administered to all consented students in grades 3-5 (N=129). Semi-structured key informant interviews were conducted with classroom teachers and school administrators (N=5) and with the Move it Move it! implementation team (N=4).

Results: Move it Move it! miles was significantly associated with decreased bullying victimization and positively associated with perceived control over body. Average Move it Move it! miles ran/walked was a significant predictor of NECAP math testing scores. Interviews with school staff confirmed quantitative results.

Conclusion: Preliminary results of the pilot evaluation suggest positive academic and behavioral outcomes associated with engagement in a before-school incentive-based physical activity program. Innovative, low cost, evidence-based models of integrating physical activity throughout the school day are needed for Vermont schools to comply with the revised EQS.