Youth in Motion: SPARK® 6-8 Physical Education

The Project M-SPAN Study
(Middle School Physical Activity and Nutrition)
Age Range: 11 to 14

Developed through research from San Diego State University, Project M-SPAN (Middle School Physical Activity and Nutrition) was funded by NHLBI from 1996–2000. Project M-SPAN was a benchmark study (24 schools, nine districts) designed to increase physical activity opportunities throughout the school day on middle school campuses (grades 6 through 8) principally through changes to the school environment. Student populations in the trial were very diverse. Forty-three percent of students were ethnic minorities, 39 percent received free or low-cost meals at school, and 36 percent arrived by bus.

The two- year controlled study with 24 schools implemented what is called an “ecological approach” to physical activity. This approach is intended to identify the times and places for physical activity at school, ascertain policies that hinder or facilitate activity, and to provide social and physical resources to create more opportunities for physical activity by changing the school environment. Specific objectives included:

• Maximize class/session activity time without sacrificing learning
• Increase levels of activity at school for both boys and girls
• Increase frequency of moderate to vigorous physical activity
• Decrease frequency of sedentary behaviors

Specific components of the intervention included:

• Facilitate policy changes for promoting physical activity throughout the day (during physical education classes, recess and after school)
• Assign faculty to supervise student activity
• Recruitment of volunteers to supervise activity at the schools
• Improve playing fields
• Expand the lunch period to allow time for eating and activity
• Provision of five training sessions for physical educators to help them become more efficient in providing physical activity

Results
The Project M-SPAN study reported the following outcomes:

• 20 percent increase in physical activity during class (achieved without changing frequency or duration of class)
• Increases in physical activity during recess and after school
• Improvement in the quality and quantity of instruction
• Lasting effects (four years post-implementation)

Implementation
The results of Project M-SPAN contributed to the development of the SPARK® 6–8PE curriculum currently used in more than 1,000 schools across the country. In addition to offering tips on how to overcome obstacles such as limited activity space, lack of equipment, and large class size, this curriculum supports instructional alignment (teaching to standards). Specifics (including scope and sequence) are provided for a variety of instructional units such as golf, Frisbee and softball in a manner designed to maximize enjoyment, skill progression, greater participation and higher student activity levels. The curriculum also provides sample assessment tools, a chapter on promoting activity away from PE class, and monthly “Action Alerts” that provide research-based tips to parents and the community.