PRE-CONFERENCE SYMPOSIA

SYMPOSIUM 1:

Addressing Implementation and Effectiveness in WSPA Research

Research on whole school physical activity encompasses studies that focus on both implementation strategies and effectiveness evaluations. The traditional research pipeline encourages a staged approach to moving an intervention from efficacy trials to the real world which can take a long time. This session will include examples from the blending of design components to simultaneously measure outcomes of implementation and effectiveness when conducting research relevant to school-based physical activity.  Insight will be shared to identify best practices and strategies that promote sustained implementation and physical activity engagement while maximising positive outcomes across multiple domains within the school environment. 

SYMPOSIUM 2:

Developing and Learning from Monitoring Systems for WSPA

Developing and learning from monitoring systems for whole school physical activity involves the creation and use of data collection mechanisms to track and analyse various aspects of WSPA within educational settings such as such as policies, environments, stakeholder engagement and physical activities. This session will showcase studies where examples of tools have been developed to capture data on implementation. Insights will be shared as to how these systems have been used to make evidence-based decision making and facilitate improvement for the promotion of whole school physical activity. Recommendations and considerations for further tool development will also be made.  

SYMPOSIUM 3:

Co-producing and Working in Partnership for WSPA

Co-production and working in partnership with stakeholders are crucial strategies in advancing whole-school physical activity initiatives. This session will include studies including co-production and working in partnership to develop interventions and/or research methodologies. Insights will be shared on the specific co-production methodologies used to support whole school physical activity and the difference it has made to ensure ownership, inclusivity and sustainability.

SYMPOSIUM 4:

The Effectiveness of WSPA Programmes

Researching the effectiveness of whole-school physical activity programs is essential for understanding their impact on a range of pupil outcomes such as health, academic performance, and overall well-being. This session will explore the identification of a range of pupil level outcomes for measuring effectiveness and provide examples of studies which have used different methods e.g. accelerometery, in identifying the most effective strategies for promoting physical activity within educational settings.

SYMPOSIUM 5:

Implementation of WSPA: Tool Development and Applying Evaluation Frameworks

The co-development of tools to measure the implementation of whole school physical activity programs, coupled with the application of frameworks to understand implementation processes, represents a critical approach in advancing our understanding and efficacy in promoting physical activity within educational settings. This session will include examples of studies which have developed tools to assess various dimensions of program implementation and a systematic way to analyse and interpret implementation data, offering insights into the contextual factors, facilitators, and barriers that influence programme adoption and effectiveness.