Publication: The evidence for the impact of policy on physical activity outcomes within the school setting: A systematic review

Research Impact Summary

• Policies that support physical activity (PA) in the school-setting have promise but their impact is poorly understood.
• Nine policy action areas for which there was evidence of impact were identified. These were whole-school PA policy, physical education, sport/extracurricular PA, classroom-based PA, active breaks, physical environment, shared use agreements, active school transport and surveillance.
• Evidence supports the effectiveness of PA policy actions within the school-setting but cautions a “one-size fits all” approach.
• Further evaluation of policy implementation to maximize translation into practice is required.
• Greater clarity regarding terminology, measurement, and methods for evaluation of policy interventions is needed, and suggestions provided.

Woods CB, Volf K, Kelly L, Casey B, Gelius P, Messing S, Forberger S, Lakerveld J, Zukowska J, Bengoechea EG; PEN consortium. The evidence for the impact of policy on physical activity outcomes within the school setting: A systematic review. J Sport Health Sci. 2021 Jan 19:S2095-2546(21)00006-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2021.01.006. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33482424. 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254621000065?via%3Dihub