TY - JOUR
T1 - Marathon Kids UK
T2 - study design and protocol for a mixed methods evaluation of a school-based running programme
AU - Chalkley, AE
AU - Routen, AC
AU - Harris, JP
AU - Cale, LA
AU - Gorely, Trish
AU - Sherar, LB
N1 - ©2018 The Authors
PY - 2018/5/14
Y1 - 2018/5/14
N2 - Introduction Schools are promising settings for
physical activity promotion; however, they are complex
and adaptive systems that can influence the quality
of programme implementation. This paper presents
an evaluation of a school-based running programme
(Marathon Kids). The aims of this study are (1) to
identify the processes by which schools implement the
programme, (2) identify and explain the contextual factors
affecting implementation and explications of effectiveness
and (3) examine the relationship between the level of
implementation and perceived outcomes.
Methods Using a realist evaluation framework, a
mixed method single-group before-and-after design,
strengthened by multiple interim measurements, will be
used. Year 5 (9–10 years old) pupils and their teachers
will be recruited from six state-funded primary schools
in Leicestershire, UK. Data will be collected once prior
to implementation, at five discrete time points during
implementation and twice following implementation. A
weekly implementation log will also be used. At time point
1 (TP1) (September 2016), data on school environment,
teacher and pupil characteristics will be collected. At TP1
and TP6 (July 2017), accelerometry, pupil self-reported
physical activity and psychosocial data (eg, social support
and intention to be active) will be collected. At TP2, TP3
and TP5 (January, March and June 2017), observations
will be conducted. At TP2 and TP5, there will be teacher
interviews and pupil focus groups. Follow-up teacher
interviews will be conducted at TP7 and TP8 (October
2017 and March 2018) and pupil focus group at TP8. In
addition, synthesised member checking will be conducted
(June 2018) with a mixed sample of schools.
Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval for this
study was obtained through Loughborough University
Human Participants Ethics Subcommittee (R16-P032 &
R16-P116). Findings will be disseminated via print, online
media and dissemination events as well as practitioner
and/or research journals.
AB - Introduction Schools are promising settings for
physical activity promotion; however, they are complex
and adaptive systems that can influence the quality
of programme implementation. This paper presents
an evaluation of a school-based running programme
(Marathon Kids). The aims of this study are (1) to
identify the processes by which schools implement the
programme, (2) identify and explain the contextual factors
affecting implementation and explications of effectiveness
and (3) examine the relationship between the level of
implementation and perceived outcomes.
Methods Using a realist evaluation framework, a
mixed method single-group before-and-after design,
strengthened by multiple interim measurements, will be
used. Year 5 (9–10 years old) pupils and their teachers
will be recruited from six state-funded primary schools
in Leicestershire, UK. Data will be collected once prior
to implementation, at five discrete time points during
implementation and twice following implementation. A
weekly implementation log will also be used. At time point
1 (TP1) (September 2016), data on school environment,
teacher and pupil characteristics will be collected. At TP1
and TP6 (July 2017), accelerometry, pupil self-reported
physical activity and psychosocial data (eg, social support
and intention to be active) will be collected. At TP2, TP3
and TP5 (January, March and June 2017), observations
will be conducted. At TP2 and TP5, there will be teacher
interviews and pupil focus groups. Follow-up teacher
interviews will be conducted at TP7 and TP8 (October
2017 and March 2018) and pupil focus group at TP8. In
addition, synthesised member checking will be conducted
(June 2018) with a mixed sample of schools.
Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval for this
study was obtained through Loughborough University
Human Participants Ethics Subcommittee (R16-P032 &
R16-P116). Findings will be disseminated via print, online
media and dissemination events as well as practitioner
and/or research journals.
U2 - 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022176
DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022176
M3 - Article
SN - 2044-6055
VL - 8
JO - BMJ open
JF - BMJ open
IS - 5
M1 - e022176
ER -