Project enjoyable MVPA

Topic(s) addressed

This project addressed different intervention strategies for the overall wellness of people through the development of specific skills and competencies necessary to establish good physical health in childhood.

Target group(s)

The targeted groups were elementary and middle school physical education teachers.

Methodologies

Project partners, in cooperation with PE teachers, searched and analysed potential game strategies for developing skills. Next, they evaluated the activity for its potential to provide moderate to vigorous physical activities (MVPA), while being also fun for children. Activities with the best potential were then selected and filmed. Subtitles, game scorecards with written rules, MVPA potential, and game variations were all provided on the video.

Innovation environment

The final output was a set of 100 games in print accompanied by additional material as needed, including videos. The print product includes instructions to locate the videos and a search engine to browse the games. This is innovative as no other similar product exists with such detail, research, and multiple languages available. The approach provides PE teachers with skill-based games that have the potential to enhance health-. Games and exercises were provided that were also enjoyable for children and increased their engagement and passion for physical activity.

Teachers’ role

PE teachers were the target group and final users. They were involved in developing the games, objective testing, and feedback for the initial set of games. In addition, several workshops and practical training were delivered to either PE teachers, sports coaches, or kindergarten teachers. The project material, content, and strategy were used for this. PE teachers were used during the qualitative evaluation of the games and in some countries assisted and performed the objective testing.

Impact and output

The teachers were extremely interested in the technology used in the project and the possibility of its use in their own PE classes. PE Teacher organisations and PE teachers in different partner countries have given great feedback thus far. They valued both the skill-based games as well as the high intensity of the games. As there is a great need for new teaching material in the PE curriculum, the deliverables of the project were welcomed. 80% of participants stated they would recommend this project to a colleague. 

Video