Research Summaries

Generalization of Participation in Fitness Activities from Physical Education to Lunch Recess by Gender and Skill Level

Generalization of Participation in Fitness Activities from Physical Education to Lunch Recess by Gender and Skill Level

This blog discusses the article Generalization of Participation in Fitness Activities From Physical Education to Lunch Recess by Gender and Skill Level. We talk about the effects of a recess sport education fitness season on students’ participation in fitness activities from PE to lunch recess by gender and skill level.

Wearable digital technology

Wearable digital technology

Physical educators are challenged to integrate technology into their curriculum during the current growing tide of technological advancements. This entry brings teachers’ perceptions of incorporating digital technologies in physical education and the influence this had on their pedagogical practices. The author will discuss teachers’ barriers and students’ learning and engagement using pedometers in physical education classes.

Classroom teachers and administrators views of teaching health and physical education

Classroom teachers and administrators views of teaching health and physical education

The research discussed in this blog entry investigates classroom teachers’ and administrators’ views of teaching HPE, including physical activity behaviors, in primary schools in New Zealand. The findings support Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy that underpins teachers’ feelings towards achievement and successful outcomes. Moreover, this research brought understandings of common themes in developing strong HPE curriculum and its implementation within a school system.

Rethinking Long-Term Athlete Development—A Behavioral Approach

Rethinking Long-Term Athlete Development—A Behavioral Approach

Looking outside of the primary discipline of physiology to rethink long-term athlete development (LTAD) is the focus of this blog entry. Risto brings an overview of the article from Ian Jeffries that reveals the potential within LTAD along with various models and theories explaining best practice. The results advocate that implementation begins with behavior change and the establishment of new norms.

Stereotypical Views of Beauty and Boys STILL Not Letting Girls Play

Stereotypical Views of Beauty and Boys STILL Not Letting Girls Play

Marginalized students have experienced great barriers to enter the context of physical activity in schools as inequality in education has risen. Girls experience these barriers solely due to their gender. These barriers are discussed in this entry with an overview of the article Stereotypical Views of Beauty and Boys STILL Not Letting Girls Play: A Student-Centered Curriculum for Young Girls Through an After-School Activist Approach through a feminist poststructuralist lens. The research was conducted in the after school GIRL program at Waterfalls Elementary school. Through an activist approach, student voices were heard in curricular decision making and relationships were built throughout the school year in an attempt to create a sense of safety within the classroom.

The Coach–Athlete Relationship in Strength and Conditioning: High Performance Athletes’ Perceptions

The Coach–Athlete Relationship in Strength and Conditioning: High Performance Athletes’ Perceptions

A well-structured, scientifically driven program with high performing athletes depend on effective coaching leadership. This entry summarizes the article from Foulds and colleagues (2019) ‘The coach–Athlete relationship in strength and conditioning: High performance athletes’ perceptions’. This article is based on the 3+1 C’s and the perception of high-performance athletes’ of S&C coaches. We bring insights about different pieces of the human performance puzzle that are important for a deeper understanding of effective leadership and coach-athlete relationship

REACH Harlem: young urban boys’ experiences in an after-school PA positive youth development program

REACH Harlem: young urban boys’ experiences in an after-school PA positive youth development program

While in previous article we discuss the challenges that were faced when implementing REACH in an urban community in East Harlem, New York, this article highlights the benefits of the implementation of REACH and how it positively impacted the lives of these young men.

Enacting a body-focused curriculum with young girls through an activist approach: Leveraging the after-school space

Enacting a body-focused curriculum with young girls through an activist approach: Leveraging the after-school space

This entry provides an overview of the after-school curriculum referred to as GIRL (Gaining Insight through Reflexive Learning) through an activist approach (Meza & Marttinen, 2019). Two coaches worked together to develop a safe and supportive environment establishing a trusting relationship with the students. As a result, effective teacher practice through an activist student-centered approach was able to strengthen the relationship between the girls and physical activity bridging towards lifetime physical activity and literacy.