Promoting Physical Activity in Afterschool Programs

National Institute on Out-of-School Time. Wellesley Centers for Women, 106 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02481. Tel: 781-283-2547; Fax: 781-283-3657; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.niost.org

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9

Physical Education; Physical Activities; Health Promotion; After School Programs; Guidelines; Public Health; Physical Activity Level; Educational Strategies; Equipment; Educational Quality; Best Practices; Children

Children in the United States are not engaging in sufficient amounts of routine physical activity, and this lack is an emerging public health concern (Strong, Malina, Blimkie, Daniels, Dishman, Gutin, et al., 2005). Efforts to increase the physical activity levels of children and adolescents has become a national priority, attracting attention from professionals in medicine, public health, education, recreation, economics, and health promotion (Pate, et al., 2006). In an effort to promote physical activity among all Americans, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS, 2008) created evidence-based (Strong, et al., 2005) physical activity guidelines. This paper will provide program leaders and staff with a brief overview of what is known about physical activity in afterschool programs. Then, by integrating experience in afterschool programming with expertise in health promotion, physical education, physical activity promotion, public health, and the social psychology of sport and physical activity, the authors present strategies and recommendations for promoting physical activity in afterschool settings.

ERIC

50

2015

EJ1068326