title: JROTC as a substitute for PE: really?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Even though physical education (PE) is an evidence-based strategy for providing and promoting physical activity, alternative programs such as the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) are commonly substituted for PE in many states. The purpose of this study was to compare student physical activity and lesson contexts during high school PE and JROTC sessions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time was used to assess PE and JROTC sessions (N = 38 each) in 4 high schools that provided both programs. Data were analyzed using t tests, negative binomial regression, and logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students engaged in significantly more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during PE than during JROTC sessions and they were significantly less sedentary. Significant differences between the 2 program types were also found among lesson contexts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PE and JROTC provide substantially different content and contexts, and students in these programs engage in substantially different amounts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Students in JROTC, and perhaps other alternative programs, are less likely to accrue health-supporting physical activity and engage in fewer opportunities to be physically fit and motorically skilled. Policies and practices for providing substitutions for PE should be carefully examined.
authors.affiliation: a University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
authors.forename: Monica A F
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lounsbery
authors.forename: Kathryn A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Holt
authors.forename: Shannon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Monnat
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Funk
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: McKenzie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003479:Curriculum; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education*; D009043:Motor Activity; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012574:Schools; D015206:Southwestern United States; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: course substitutions; physical activity; physical education; policy