“Activity in after school care ” - Evaluation of the practicability of a physical activity program

The decrease in physical activity among children in developed societies and the consequential long-term effects on health and development is a major challenge already today and for the future. The Upper Austrian Department of Health, in collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences for Health Professions (Physiotherapy Program), has therefore drafted a physical activity program for after school care, based on the general criteria of health promotion (e.g. empowerment, multiplicative approach, etc.). A pilot project in selected after school care facilities started in the school year 2013/14.

In order to assess the practicability and impact of the physical activity program the pilot project was accompanied by a detailed evaluation covering the current situation in the facilities regarding resources and existing activity programs, as well as the quality, practicability and acceptance of the program and the changes in the children’s physical activity.

The once-a-week physical activity program included examples of activity lessons as well as guidance and training courses for pedagogues. 30 after school care facilities with 802 children (aged 6 to 14 years) participated in the pilot project. Several qualitative and quantitative measures were collected using questionnaires throughout the project. These questionnaires covered the children’s activity, the current situation in the facilities, satisfaction with the activity offers a.s.o. Parents, children and pedagogues answered the questions before and after the pilot phase. Additionally the motivation of children and usability of the lessons were documented by pedagogues and special movement specialists for each lesson. To further assess the quality of the activity lessons and to gain deeper insight focus groups were undertaken.

The evaluation of the starting situation primarily reflected the low level of physical activity among the children. Sufficient resources of space and materials are available in the after school care facilities, but were not frequently used, most likely because of a lack of knowledge about how to design adequate activity offers. The analysis of the focus groups revealed a high quality of the program regarding practicability and a high level of acceptance: 87% of the pedagogues felt their expectations were fulfilled well or very well. 61% of the facilities were able to optimize their activity offers. 74% of the children liked the lessons and showed changes in physical activity even in other settings. They improved their motoric skills, were highly motivated and participated with their own ideas. The parents judged the project mainly positively (58%) or partly positively (25,4 %).

The results of the evaluation showed that it is possible to integrate a once-a-week physical activity program, based upon general health promotional criteria, in the daily routine of Upper Austrian after school care facilities. During the 9-month pilot project the participating children improved their motoric, psycho-social and psycho-emotional skills.

The pilot project formed the basis for a 3-year physical activity program in after school care in Upper Austria, starting in September 2014. Pedagogues are provided with detailed activity lessons, guidance and training and are advised on how to use the resources of their facilities effectively.

• further Project team: Ingeborg Mairhofer, MSc
• Partner: Upper Austrian Department of Health

Publications/Lecturing activities:

• Mairhofer, I., & Neuhold, E. (2015). Activity in the after school care—evaluation of the practicability of a physical activity program. Physiotherapy, 101, e933.
• Poster presentation World Confederation Congress for Physical Therapy Congress 2015 Singapore 1st – 4th May 2015