PE teachers’ perceived expertise and professional development requirements in the delivery of muscular fitness activity: PE Teacher EmPOWERment Survey

Cox, Ashley ORCID: 0000-0002-4866-4688, Noonan, Robert J ORCID: 0000-0001-9575-5729 and Fairclough, Stuart J (2023) PE teachers’ perceived expertise and professional development requirements in the delivery of muscular fitness activity: PE Teacher EmPOWERment Survey. European Physical Education Review, 29 (2). pp. 251-267.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1356336x221134067

Abstract

<jats:p>Muscular fitness (MF) is an important modifiable factor to improve overall health. Schools offer a unique opportunity to deliver MF activity during physical education (PE) and develop competence to engage in various activities across the life course. However, the implementation of school-based MF activity may be impaired by some teachers reporting a lack of expertise and low confidence in the delivery of MF activity. Understanding teachers’ thoughts and perceptions regarding the delivery of MF in schools may help guide future research and policy to support MF delivery in UK schools. Following ethical approval, a survey of secondary school PE teachers across the UK was distributed via Twitter. Survey responses were analysed and reported descriptively and thematically. Completed surveys were returned by 194 teachers (61.9% male) from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Relative to less experienced teachers, those with at least five years’ service were 2.2 times more likely to have completed continued professional development (CPD) in MF activity (OR = 2.16; ß = 0.77; 95% CI: 1.25-3.74; p < 0.01), and 1.8 times more likely to use assessments of MF to inform PE programme decision-making (OR = 1.83; ß = 0.60; 95% CI: 1.18-2.82; p < 0.01). Despite the promising contribution school-based PE may have to developing MF, we report a poor understanding of MF activity amongst UK-based PE teachers. CPD is warranted to deliver successful MF interventions in a school setting.</jats:p>

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Behavioral and Social Science, Clinical Research, 4 Quality Education
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	03 Feb 2023 16:53
Last Modified:	17 Mar 2024 15:42
DOI:	10.1177/1356336x221134067
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336X221134067
Related URLs:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3168182