Exploration Of MVPA Differences In Children Across Schools Participating In A Multi-school Physical Activity Program

PURPOSE: This study examined differences in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels among 3rd-5th graders across three different low-income Title 1 schools participating in a multi-school after-school program. METHODS: A soccer after-school program was implemented over eight weeks across three schools. MVPA levels were measured on three separate days at each of the three schools using accelerometers (Actigraph, Pensacola, FL), in addition to coaching quality (measured using a modified 12-item observation tool based on the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time and Academic Learning Time - Physical Education), and participant enjoyment (measured by 1-item self-administered post-session survey). RESULTS: A One-Way ANOVA indicated significant MVPA differences between schools (school 1: 18.2 + 7.7 min, school 2: 18.4 + 6 min, school 3: 11.0 + 4.3 min, p = 0.001) and across the nine observation days (p < 0.001). The nine observation days were then grouped into high MVPA (≥18 min, 4 observations) and low MVPA (<18 min, 5 observations) groups, based on the 50th percentile of the pooled MVPA data, revealing that the high MVPA group reported higher enjoyment scores (4.6 out of 5 on a Likert scale vs. 4.4, p < 0.001) but no significant differences in the coaching quality index scores (37.2 score vs. 36.5 score, p = 0.40) when compared to the low MVPA group. Positive correlations were found between MVPA and both coaching quality (r = 0.33, p = 0.002, 9% explained variance) and enjoyment (r = 0.44, p < 0.001, 19% explained variance), showing that while these factors influence MVPA, other elements affect physical activity levels as well. CONCLUSION: Within a multi-school after-school program, MVPA varied across schools and observations, with coaching quality and enjoyment explaining only 28% of this variance. This highlights the need to investigate additional factors influencing children's physical activity in after-school program settings.