Thread by @VegetableManDan

I'm really happy to share our article recently published by @SHAPE_America

Implementing Successful School Run Clubs: Lessons Learned from a District-level Initiative in Boston Public Schools
doi.org/10.1080/073030…

👇are helpful lessons/free resources to lead your own club:

With funding from the @bostonfdn , @ChildObesity180 at @TuftsNutrition has helped @BostonSchools and charter schools implement walk/run programs with the goal of adding physical activity to the school day. A total of 85 distinct schools participated in one or more school years.

Dedicated Bostonians such as PE teachers, classroom educators, after-school program staff, and parents have made these clubs possible by volunteering as run club coaches.

We can't thank them enough for all their additional work 🙌

ChildObesity180 learned a lot from our Boston coaches on leading these clubs and published an article sharing theses lessons in the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

tandfonline.com/toc/ujrd20/90/…

Survey data and anecdotal observations from three years of implementing the project were used to describe implementation practices, challenges, and success stories.

One important lesson we learned from coaches was that no one-size-fits all strategy exists to increase physical activity at schools. Flexibility is key.

Instead of each school leading a specific program, Boston coaches tailored clubs to their school’s unique culture/resources.

Pictured are considerations other clubs might benefit in thinking through before beginning.

Here is a link to download our run-club blueprint document.

We created it to guide conversations with schools about the key factors involved in administering the program.

dropbox.com/s/cfed1fpwa8up…

Another important lesson we learned was to set moderate goals.

A key program feature of a run club is tracking activity. Tracking miles, laps, or steps enables students to develop habits of goal setting, creates accountability, and provides coaches avenues to recognize achievement and positive behavior.

After some trial and error, Boston coaches established moderate goals that increase the likelihood of success during the program instead of setting ambitious goals most students would not reach.

Helping club members set and reach these goals can help foster students’ sense of competency in running too.

Coaches found it helpful to lead the club for one week to establish baseline values and then set goals from there.

Although tracking activity helps to facilitate goal setting, Boston coaches emphasized to students the importance self-improvement rather than simply comparing themselves to others.

Instilling self-comparison rather than peer-comparison encourages a skill-development environment that ideally supports the likelihood of students continuing to be active in the future.

Coaches used our run club activity-tracking sheet to help students set tailored goals. Here is the link to access a free pdf of it.

dropbox.com/s/cfed1fpwa8up…

Coaches also tracked and showcased collective mileage totals for the entire club on the @BillionMileRace. This process helped to establish a sense of social connection/team spirit among club members.

It's free to join for any US School 👍

billionmilerace.org

Using rewards can help motivate students to try a new behavior or activity that is not intrinsically appealing; however,the provision of rewards may undermine the development of intrinsic motivation and long-term adherence to physical activity.

Boston coaches provide incentives sparingly and carefully; coaches considered multiple factors when providing rewards and pairing incentives with other tactics (e.g., encouragement and goal setting).

The use of food-based rewards was also discouraged, since this may create an emotional connection between unhealthy foods and accomplishments.

Here are some free incentive ideas you can use that worked for our coaches.

You can access of a PDF of them with this link.

dropbox.com/s/8p6gecrfr7jo…

Unsurprisingly, research shows that students identify fun as the primary reason for participating in an activity, and the lack of it as the top reason for not continuing.

So naturally, Boston coaches strived to make clubs enjoyable and supportive as possible.

Coaches implemented techniques like offering variety and choice during club time. Activities like tag, relay races, and other running games are led in addition to running laps.

Here are some other tactics to make it fun/supportive.

(Link to access PDF dropbox.com/s/pvzb2sm5ei9x…)

Music is also a key ingredient for any club.

Here is a link to Boston Run Club Mega Mix. It has a whole bunch of school friendly songs to play during club time.
open.spotify.com/playlist/2D2Vm…

Coaches incorporate imagery by tracking their miles across regional and national maps. Students learn about state capitols, historic events, or landmarks to link with academic lessons.

Schools celebrated the end of the club by organizing community events, which also engage family members. Walking/running events provide the advantage of allowing parents and family members to get active too.

Ideally, a supportive and enjoyable run club will create inclusive PA opportunities to help all students develop a positive lifelong connection to the activity of walking and running 🏃🏾‍♀️

Please feel free to share if you know of any schools that might be interested in such a program. We're always looking to help 👍
@exerciseworks @SHAPE_America

Here is the correct link for the activity-tracking document.

dropbox.com/s/7ln6xuurulja…

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