title: A cluster randomized controlled trial of strategies to increase adolescents' physical activity and motivation in physical education: results of the Motivating Active Learning in Physical Education (MALP) trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Physical education (PE) programs aim to promote physical activity (PA) and reach most school-aged youth. However, PA levels within PE lessons are often low. In this cluster-randomized controlled trial, we examined the effects of three self-determination theory-based motivational strategies on PA and sedentary behavior, as well as their hypothesized antecedents during PE lessons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected in Sydney, Australia (October-December 2011). After baseline testing, teachers (n=16) and their classes (n=288 students; M=13.6 years, 50.4% male) were randomly assigned to one of four teaching strategy conditions: (1) explaining relevance; (2) providing choice; (3) complete free choice; or (4) usual practice. Teachers then delivered the assigned strategy. Primary outcomes were accelerometer-assessed PA and student motivation during lessons. Secondary outcomes included sedentary behavior, perceptions of teachers' support and psychological needs satisfaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 'free choice' intervention increased PA (p<.05). 'Providing choice' and 'free choice' interventions decreased sedentary behavior (p<.05). The interventions did not influence motivation, but students' autonomy increased during both choice-based interventions (p<.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Promoting choice can produce short-term increases in PA and decreases in sedentary behavior, as well as increased perceived autonomy during PE lessons.
authors.affiliation: University of Western Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: c.lonsdale@uws.edu.au.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lonsdale
authors.forename: Richard R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Rosenkranz
authors.forename: Taren
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Louisa R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Peralta
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bennie
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Ian M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Lubans
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002755:Choice Behavior; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D009517:New South Wales; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Autonomy support; Health behavior; Intervention; Sedentary behavior; Self-determination theory