Contact - Dr Diane Crone and Colin Baker
The University of Gloucestershire in collaboration with Staffordshire University was commissioned by Heart of Birmingham Primary Care Trust to evaluate the delivery of a 6 week behavioural intervention (a physical activity pathway) aimed at increasing physical activity levels in school-aged children, years 6 and 7 (9-11 yrs). The intervention was delivered in 6 schools within the Calthorpe School Sports Partnership (SSP) cluster in Sparkbrook, central Birmingham. The programme was based on the Department of Health’s (2009) Let’s Get Moving physical activity pathway recommendations document.
The evaluation team included Dr.’s Diane Crone, Colin Baker and Prof. David James, (University of Gloucestershire) and Dr. Chris Gidlow (Staffordshire University). It complements previous work undertaken in Staffordshire on a rural based adult physical activity pathway project and the Let’s Get Moving Gloucestershire pathway intervention. In collaboration with Heart of Birmingham PCT and Calthorpe SSP the team evaluated the success of the intervention in increasing actual physical activity levels in addition to changes in participants’ perceptions about healthy lifestyle habits and the programme as a whole.
The evaluation used a follow up design to determine the influence of various factors, including place of residence, gender, etc, on physical activity behaviour. Baseline data collection was undertaken in December 2010 and post intervention data collected in January and February 2011. Focus groups with participants provided a qualitative dimension that elicited data concerning experiential aspects of the intervention.
The final report and short executive summary of the evaluation findings are available here:
Final Report
Executive Summary
Plus a presentation summary of the findings.