Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: Physical activity levels in Canadian youth are decreasing. This Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) focuses on improving physical literacy in middle school Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in a Northern Ontario urban school. The Daily Physical Activity (DPA) policy in Ontario public elementary schools has achieved about 50% fidelity in classrooms since its inception in 2005 (Allison, et al., 2016; Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion, 2015, p. 60). Leading a physically active lifestyle is essential for education outcomes, public health, and general health and wellbeing. Improving physical literacy in youth increases their motivation to be physically active, and through a Quality Daily Physical Education (QDPE) program, can also increase student achievement significantly (Dudley, 2019, October 8; PHE, 2020). Students engaged in physical education programming where learning is prioritized are more motivated to learn across all subjects (Dudley, 2018). From a public health perspective, the urgency for Canadians to become more active has never been more critical. The rate of non-communicated diseases (NCDs) can be reduced significantly by meeting the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) physical activity guidelines. At the current rate, 50% of non-Indigenous and 80% of Indigenous youth will develop diabetes in their lifetime (Diabetes Canada, 2018). Currently, only 35% of five to seventeen-year-olds, and under 16% of 18-79 year-olds, are meeting CSEP’s physical activity guidelines (ParticipACTION, 2018). This OIP explores how a culturally responsive framework along with community connections are essential in improving physical literacy in middle school Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. Developing physically literate youth is essential for the future of our youth, education system, and public healthcare.
Author: Jarod-lee P Milko
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3089054528