title: School-based physical activity promotion: a conceptual framework for research and practice.
abstract: Despite public health concerns and the many recognized benefits of physical activity (PA), levels of participation among youth remain below national recommendations. To this end, a variety of strategies for promoting physical activity for youth have been advocated, including multi-faceted, school-based approaches. One that continues to be identified as having great potential is a comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP). The aim of this article is to introduce a conceptual framework for school-based PA promotion that serves to stimulate, guide, and organize related research and practice. The CSPAP conceptual framework is a proposed framework, informed by existing science, recommendations, and a social ecological perspective with individual PA behavior as the epicenter. Discussed in turn are the four proposed interactive levels of influence (i.e., components, facilitators, leaders, and culture) and several integral elements proposed to operate at each level. The article concludes with a presentation of the utility of the framework for research and practice.
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University , Baton Rouge, LA.
authors.forename: Russell L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Carson
authors.forename: Darla M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Castelli
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beighle
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Erwin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011998:Recreation; D012572:School Health Services / Q000639:trends; D012574:Schools; D013177:Sports