Publication
A cluster randomised controlled trial of an intervention to increase the implementation of school physical activity policies and guidelines: study protocol for
Protocol for the scientific evaluation of PACE
What is it about?
PACE is a multi-component implementation strategy that is being scaled up in 100 primary schools across New South Wales, Australia. PACE has been shown to effectively increase school's implementation of physical activity policies; supporting children to be more physically active throughout the school day.
Why is it important?
In an attempt to improve children's physical activity levels, governments worldwide have introduced policies or guidelines specifying the minimum time schools are to schedule physical activity each week.
However, schools face lots of challenges to adopting these policies and as a result many are not scheduling the required minutes of weekly physical activity, limiting the potential public health benefits that such policies may bring. Identifying the most effective strategies that help schools' overcome these barriers and enhance implementation of physical activity policies is urgently needed.
PACE is the first program internationally to address this, providing an exciting opportunity to increase child physical activity levels.
Perspectives
PACE has been such a privilege to be a part of. As a health promotion practitioner seeing schools schedule and implement the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity, a task that many first think is impossible, to something that becomes part of the whole school culture is exciting. As a researcher taking a project from pilot study, to effectiveness testing to scale-up is very rewarding, knowing that it is having a real impact on the community.
Dr
Nicole
Nathan
University of Newcastle
