By: Carol Kennedy-Armbruster, PhD, FACSM
Here’s some great research on how your pedometer or fitness monitor is positively affected when leadership is engaged. In this case, when the teacher moved, the students moved. The same will hold true with your tribe. Get leadership engaged and people will adapt to the leader’s routines.
Implementation of a Pedometer Program to reach the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines during the School day in an Elementary School Setting
Background
The 2018 Physical Activity (PA) Guidelines Advisory Committee recently released the 2018 PA Guidelines, which clearly state that PA bouts of any duration or length contribute to the health benefits associated with the accumulated volume of PA. A teacher-led Health and Wellness Committee at an elementary school created a pedometer program focused on increasing PA and movement throughout the school day for teachers and students in order to meet the 2018 PA Guidelines during the school day. This paper will outline the “how-to’s” of the pedometer program in order to encourage program replication and best practices in an elementary school setting.
Methods
In 31 self-contained classrooms, teachers and one rotating student per classroom wore a pedometer during the school day and recorded step counts over two academic school years.
Results
The pedometer program revealed a significant increase in steps during the school day for teachers and students.
Conclusion
The pedometer program promoted PA for children and teachers in the classroom and could be a practical way for students and teachers to work towards achieving the 2018 PA Guidelines for both teachers and students while in a school setting.
Research conducted by: P. Brian Kiessling II, M.S. (Corresponding Author); Carol Kennedy-Armbruster, PhD, FACSM; Jessica Yoder, MPH; Michael Frisby, M.S.
