Process evaluation of the Bristol girls dance project.
BACKGROUND
The Bristol Girls Dance Project was a cluster randomised controlled trial that aimed to increase objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels of Year 7 (age 11-12) girls through a dance-based after-school intervention. The intervention was delivered in nine schools and consisted of up to forty after-school dance sessions. This paper reports on the main findings from the detailed process evaluation that was conducted.


METHODS
Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from intervention schools. Dose and fidelity were reported by dance instructors at every session. Intervention dose was defined as attending two thirds of sessions and was measured by attendance registers. Fidelity to the intervention manual was reported by dance instructors. On four randomly-selected occasions, participants reported their perceived level of exertion and enjoyment. Reasons for non-attendance were self-reported at the end of the intervention. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all dance instructors who delivered the intervention (n = 10) and school contacts (n = 9) in intervention schools. A focus group was conducted with girls who participated in each intervention school (n = 9).


RESULTS
The study did not affect girls' MVPA. An average of 31.7 girls participated in each school, with 9.1 per school receiving the intervention dose. Mean attendance and instructors' fidelity to the intervention manual decreased over time. The decline in attendance was largely attributed to extraneous factors common to after-school activities. Qualitative data suggest that the training and intervention manual were helpful to most instructors. Participant ratings of session enjoyment were high but perceived exertion was low, however, girls found parts of the intervention challenging.


CONCLUSIONS
The intervention was enjoyed by participants. Attendance at the intervention sessions was low but typical of after-school activities. Participants reported that the intervention brought about numerous health and social benefits and improved their dance-based knowledge and skills. The intervention could be improved by reducing the number of girls allowed to participate in each school and providing longer and more in-depth training to those delivering the intervention.


BACKGROUND
ISRCTN52882523 Registered 25th April 2013.
Centre for Exercise, Nutrition & Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, 8 Priory Road, Bristol, BS8 1TZ, UK. simon.sebire@bristol.ac.uk.
S J
SJ
Sebire
Centre for Exercise, Nutrition & Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, 8 Priory Road, Bristol, BS8 1TZ, UK.
M J
MJ
Edwards
Centre for Exercise, Nutrition & Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, 8 Priory Road, Bristol, BS8 1TZ, UK.
J M
JM
Kesten
Centre for Exercise, Nutrition & Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, 8 Priory Road, Bristol, BS8 1TZ, UK.
T
T
May
Centre for Exercise, Nutrition & Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, 8 Priory Road, Bristol, BS8 1TZ, UK.
K J
KJ
Banfield
Health and Social Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.
E L
EL
Bird
Bristol Randomised Trials Collaboration, School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK.
K
K
Tomkinson
Bristol Randomised Trials Collaboration, School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK.
P
P
Blair
Health and Social Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.
J E
JE
Powell
Centre for Exercise, Nutrition & Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, 8 Priory Road, Bristol, BS8 1TZ, UK.
R
R
Jago
D002648:Child; D003615:Dancing / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D057181:Pleasure; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012572:School Health Services; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom
Adolescent; Dance; Girls; Physical activity intervention; Process evaluation; Secondary school