1-year feasibility assessment of a children’s physical activity implementation strategy with college student implementers in a rural middle school

Abstract Background Many physical activity interventions exist, but few are sustained, with additional barriers in rural populations. The primary objective was to evaluate the feasibility of a refined implementation strategy for a children’s physical activity intervention. Exploratory objectives included assessing college student implementers’ civic attitudes and agency. Methods A 1-year feasibility study was conducted with n = 21 trained college student implementers in an under-resourced rural middle school in the Midwestern United States. The Hoosier Sport intervention involved enhanced sport-based physical education classes for n = 83 children. Primary outcomes assessed trial- and intervention-related feasibility indicators and fidelity. Exploratory outcomes assessed college student civic engagement, using the Civic Attitudes and Skills Questionnaire (CASQ) and the Agency of University Students (AUS) Scale, respectively. Data were analyzed (1) descriptively for the feasibility outcomes and (2) inferentially using pre-post differences for civic engagement. Results Results indicated favorable trial- and intervention-related feasibility. There was strong fidelity, with 81.0% retention for college students and 81.9% for middle school students, and staff engaging in physical activity in 69% of observations using the System for Observing Staff Promotion of Activity and Nutrition (SOSPAN). Attendance of college student implementers across the two semesters was 354 h. Conclusions This 1-year feasibility study demonstrated high feasibility and fidelity, highlighting the need for refined research on the civic attitudes of college students. The refined implementation strategy may serve as a model for future initiatives promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles in rural communities. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06602596 Registration Date: September 17, 2024