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Abstract
Researchers have suggested that physical education curricula can be highly effective in increasing physical activity levels at school (Sallis & Owen, 1999). The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of various curriculum models on physical activity. Total steps were measured on 1,111 subjects and three curriculum models were studied (Fitness, Game/Sport, Skill Themes). Among the curriculum models and across all grade levels, the Game/Sport Model had the most steps (p < .01; M = 2,013), followed by the Skill Themes (M = 1,750), and finally the Fitness Model (M = 1,716). The Fitness Model doesn't guarantee higher activity. Rather, the teacher should strive to create and implement lessons that provide increased time for movement or activity for all children.
The role of physical education and what schools can do to help increase physical activity among children are paramount (Pate et al., 2006). The type of curriculum may influence activity levels; therefore, it is important to evaluate how the models impact activity levels. Recent discussion has focused on types of curriculum models used in physical education (Pate et al., 2006). Physical education curricula can be highly effective in increasing physical activity at school (Graham, HoltHale, & Parker, 2006). With many different types of curricula to choose from, which is preferred? The most common physical education curriculum in both elementary and secondary physical education classes seems to be an activity-based model or a combination of features from several models (Kelly & Melograno, 2004). Others have indicated the majority of K-6 programs emphasize a skill theme approach (Graham et al., 2006), while secondary programs emphasize sport themes (Strong et al., 2005).
In the past 30 years, me percentage of youth who are overweight has tripled (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2002). Researchers, teachers, and authors have suggested that teaching physical activity and physical fitness concepts be a priority in physical education (Pangrazi, 2007). Recent studies have examined the obesity prevalence among children and adolescents in the U.S. It has been estimated that 16.3% of children aged 2-19 years were obese, at or above the 95th percentile using BMI-for-age growth charts (Hedley et. al., 2004; Ogden, Carroll, 8c Flegal, 2008).
Based on data that indicate increasing levels of obesity in youth...