Factors influencing implementation of a preschool-based physical activity intervention.
Examining factors that influence implementation of key program components that underlie an intervention’s success provides important information to inform the development of effective dissemination strategies. We examined direct and indirect effects of preschool capacity, quality of prevention support system and teacher characteristics on implementation levels of a component, called Move Outside (i.e., preschool classroom teachers to provide at least 40 min of outdoor recess per day), that was fundamental to the success of a preschool-based physical activity intervention. Level of implementation, defined as the percent of daily goal met for the Move Outside component, was assessed via direct observation. Items assessing preschool capacity, quality of prevention support system and teacher characteristics were selected from surveys and an environmental checklist completed by preschool directors and teachers. Preschool classroom was used as the unit of analysis (Year 1: n = 19; Year 2: n = 17). Results from Bayesian path analyses showed that the three factors were not significantly associated with level of implementation in Year 1, but preschool capacity was directly associated with level of implementation in Year 2 (β= 0.528, 95% CI: 0.134, 0.827). The current findings suggest that factors that influence level of implementation appear to differ as an intervention evolved over time.
School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
Erica Y
EY
Lau
Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behaviors, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
Ruth P
RP
Saunders
Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA and.
Michael W
MW
Beets
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
Bo
B
Cai
Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA and.
Russell R
RR
Pate
D002675:Child, Preschool; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010988:Play and Playthings; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000070777:School Teachers / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors