School-based Physical Activity Opportunities: Perceptions of Elementary School Parents, Teachers, and Administrators
Keywords:
Pedagogical, Cultural, PhilosophicalAbstract
The aim of this paper is to examine the perceptions of elementary school parents, teachers, and administrators concerning access to and opportunities for physical activity within school environments. Participants from ten public schools in western Canada completed a modified version of a physical activity school settings survey. Results indicated agreement around the adequate use of the built environment and parental involvement in connection with the promotion of school-based physical activity. However, when asked about the effectiveness of school policies and practices associated with opportunities for physical activity, mean group scores of were significantly different (F (2, 34) = 12.54, p < .05). Thus, elementary schools intending to maximize physical activity opportunities may need to regularly connect parents to the policies and practices related to these opportunities. This partnership could encourage students to value school-based physical activity and, in turn, help them achieve recommended daily physical activity levels
Cette étude examine les perceptions de parents, d’enseignants et de gestionnaires de l’élémentaire sur l’accès aux équipements scolaires et sur les occasions de s’adonner à la pratique d’activité physique dans l’environnement d’une école. Les participants de dix écoles publiques de l’Ouest canadien ont répondu à une version modifiée d’un sondage sur l’activité physique en milieu scolaire. Les résultats ont fait ressortir un consensus entre les trois groupes (parents, enseignants, gestionnaires) sur l’usage adéquat des équipements et à l’engagement parental dans la promotion de l’activité physique en milieu scolaire. Par contre, les résultats moyens des trois groupes à la question sur l’efficacité des politiques et pratiques de l’école relativement aux occasions de pratique d’activité physique différaient significativement (F (2, 34) = 12.54, p < .05). Par conséquent, les écoles élémentaires qui veulent maximiser les occasions de pratique d’activité physique auraient avantage à faire participer les parents aux politiques et pratiques qui encadrent ces occasions de pratqiue. Un tel partenariat inciterait les élèves à valoriser davantage l’activité physique à l’école et les aiderait du même coup à atteindre les taux d’activité physique quotidienne recommandés.
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