title: Promoting teacher adoption of physical activity breaks in the classroom: findings of the Central Texas CATCH Middle School Project.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research suggests that physical activity breaks (ABs) during class increase students' physical activity levels and provide an academic benefit. This study evaluates a 3-year intervention aimed at encouraging teacher AB use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty central Texas middle schools were assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: training-only (Basic), training plus facilitator support (Basic Plus), and training/facilitator support and a social marketing campaign (Basic Plus SM). Teachers completed surveys at end of years 2 (N = 1039) and 3 (N = 831) to assess exposure to program, self-efficacy, and frequency of AB use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At end of year 3, teachers in facilitator-supported conditions reported increased exposure, self-efficacy, and use compared to Basic condition. Only 43.2% of teachers in the Basic condition reported receiving training in ABs compared to 84.2% and 90.6% in the Basic Plus and Basic Plus SM conditions, respectively. Additionally, a greater percentage of teachers in the facilitator-support conditions reported conducting ABs weekly (Basic = 23.3%, Basic Plus = 34.4%, Basic Plus SM = 38.7%, at year 3; p < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite perceived barriers, including fear that ABs will detract from instructional time, the intervention was successful in having a core group of teachers implement them weekly. More research is needed to increase the percentage of teachers implementing ABs regularly.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas School of Public Health, Austin Regional Campus, Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, 1616 Guadalupe St. Suite 6.300, Austin, TX 78701. Joanne.E.Delk@uth.tmc.edu.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Delk
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Springer
authors.forename: Steven H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kelder
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grayless
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015444:Exercise; D005178:Faculty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012574:Schools; D020377:Self Efficacy; D040241:Social Marketing; D013781:Texas
keywords: CATCH; activity break; adolescent; obesity; physical activity