Supporting Children’s Outcomes using Rewards, Exercise and Skills study

The aim of this group randomised control trial is to develop, implement and evaluate a school-based intervention to promote physical activity and improve fundamental movement skill (FMS) proficiency in children from disadvantaged primary schools. The 12-month intervention will include professional development workshops for teachers and students, school policy review and recommendations, community and parental engagement in the intervention process, student-led recess and lunchtime activities, and physical activity equipment packs. Physical activity behaviour, FMS competency, self esteem, physiological outcomes and potential mediators of behaviour change will be assessed. Assessments will be conducted at baseline 6- and 12-months. The intervention is based on Harter’s Competence Motivation Theory and will be implemented using a socio-ecological framework. The intervention will be delivered in two stages and includes the following components: Stage 1 i) Professional development for teachers – The research team will deliver professional development workshops for teachers. Workshops will focus on effective teaching methods for the development of FMS, strategies for assessing FMS, increasing active learning time (ALT) and promoting physical activity in PE and school sport. a. School champion workshop: will be held at the university. b. Whole-school workshops: will be delivered in the study schools during one of their scheduled professional development days. ii) Student leadership – Students will be provided with an opportunity to achieve SCORES leadership accreditation. This will provide students with formal acknowledgment (i.e. certificates) and rewards (i.e. water bottles, stickers and balls) for their participation. SCORES leaders will be encouraged to help organise and deliver lunch and recess activities at school. Workshops will be delivered at the study schools during PE/school sport by the research team. Stage 2 i) Community links – Community organisations (e.g. local football clubs) will be invited to the visit the study schools during PE/school sport. This will help to promote community sporting links. ii) Policy and environment – 2 strategies will be used: a. Policy review and recommendations: The research team will conduct a review of physical activity policy in the schools. The research team will work with Principals to revise policy to support the physical activity promotion. b. Equipment and resources: Each school will be provided with physical activity equipment (e.g. bats, balls etc) and resources (e.g. activity cards) to support the implementation of the intervention based on their individual school needs (approx. $1,000). iii) Parental engagement – 3 strategies will be used to involve parents: a. Newsletters - Parents of study participants will be provided with newsletters to educate and encourage them to support their children’s physical activity behaviors. Newsletters will also provide updates and feedback on the project. b. FMS Homework – Students will be encouraged to complete practical homework tasks focused on FMS development with their parents/guardians. c. Parent evening – Parents will be invited to attend an information session on how to promote and increase physical activity and FMS in the home setting.