Schools on the Move Programme
Country
Finland
2010-Ongoing
Aimed for
(01-03) Toddlers, (03-05) Preschoolers, (05-12) Children, (13-18) Adolescents
Type of partnership
Public
Sectors
Education, Public administration, Physical Activity & Sports
Innovation
Methodological, Social
Aim
Increase physical activity among school-age children by making the school culture more active in various ways.
Linking research and monitoring with the implementation of the programme, the strong bottom-up ideology of the school-oriented approach and the extensive cooperation networks have been central success areas in the implementation of the programme
Outcome
Outcome
The programme has grown from a pilot of 45 schools into a project that covers more than 90% of Finnish schools in basic education.
Increased Physical Activity: There was an increase in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during the school day and recess activities, particularly in primary schools. This was especially true for physical play and ball games among male students in lower secondary schools.
Decreased Sedentary Time: The programme contributed to a reduction in sedentary behavior, particularly in primary schools.
Improved Social Well-Being: The promotion of physical activities was associated with positive school-related social factors, including better peer relationships, especially among primary school girls.
Staff Engagement: The programme's success varied with school staff involvement, which played a crucial role in the effective implementation of physical activity promotion.