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. 2023 Oct 7;23(1):1942.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-16810-5.

A cluster randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of a multi-strategy sustainability intervention on teachers' sustained implementation of classroom physical activity breaks (energisers): study protocol

Nicole Nathan  1   2   3   4 , Alix Hall  1   2   3   4 , Adam Shoesmith  5   6   7   8   9 , Adrian E Bauman  10   11   12 , Belinda Peden  2 , Bernadette Duggan  13 , Carly Gardner  2   3 , Cassandra Lane  1   2   3   4 , Christophe Lecathelinais  1 , Christopher Oldmeadow  4 , Craig Duncan  13 , Daniel Groombridge  1 , Edward Riley-Gibson  1   2   3   4 , Emma Pollock  1   3   4 , James Boyer  14 , John Wiggers  1   2   3   4 , Karen Gillham  1   4 , Martina Pattinson  15 , Megan Mattingly  16 , Nicole McCarthy  1   2   3   4 , Patti-Jean Naylor  17 , Penny Reeves  2   4 , Philippa Budgen  18 , Rachel Sutherland  1   2   3   4 , Rebecca Jackson  1 , Thomas Croft  19 , William Pascoe  1   2   3   4 , Luke Wolfenden  1   2   3   4
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A cluster randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of a multi-strategy sustainability intervention on teachers' sustained implementation of classroom physical activity breaks (energisers): study protocol

Nicole Nathan et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Governments internationally have invested hugely in the implementation and scale-up of school-based physical activity interventions, but have little evidence of how to best sustain these interventions once active implementation support ceases. This study will assess the effectiveness of a multi-strategy sustainability intervention on classroom teachers' sustainment of energisers (short 3-5 min physical activity breaks during class-time) scheduled across the school day from baseline to 12 and 24-month follow-up.

Methods: A cluster randomised controlled trial will be conducted in 50 primary schools within the Hunter New England, Illawarra Shoalhaven, Murrumbidgee and Northern New South Wales (NSW) Local Health Districts of NSW Australia. Schools will be randomly allocated to receive either usual support or the multi-strategy sustainability intervention that includes: centralised technical assistance from a trained project officer; formal commitment and mandated change obtained from school principals; training in-school champions; reminders for teachers; educational materials provided to teachers; capturing and sharing local knowledge; and engagement of parents, carers and the wider school community. The primary trial outcome will be measured via a teacher logbook to determine the between-group difference in the change in mean minutes of energisers scheduled across the school day at 12 and 24-month follow-up compared to baseline. Analyses will be performed using an intention to treat framework. Linear mixed models will be used to assess intervention effects on the primary outcome at both follow-up periods.

Discussion: This study will be one of the first randomised controlled trials to examine the impact of a multi-strategy sustainability intervention to support schools' sustainment of a physical activity intervention. The proposed research will generate new evidence needed for the partnering organisations to protect their considerable investments to date in physical activity promotion in this setting and will provide seminal evidence for the field globally.

Trial registration: ACTRN12620000372987 version 1 registered 17th March 2020. Version 3 (current version) updated 4th August 2023.

Keywords: Energiser; Implementation science; Physical activity; School policy; Schools; Sustainability; Sustainment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors NN, RS, KG, NM, RJ, CRL, TC, EP, DG, JW and LW, receive salary support from Hunter New England LHD, which contributes funding to the project outlined in this protocol. None of these agencies were involved in the peer review of this grant. All other authors declare that they have no competing interests.

References

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    1. Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology . Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth: An Integration of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep. Ottawa: Ontario; 2019.
    1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services; 2018.

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