ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses what resources are available and what practical issues must be considered to make better decisions about selecting and implementing physical activity programs for schools. It outlines what intervention qualities offer promise when considering children’s motivation and interest as well as physical and social development. Few to no interventions related to improving academic achievement in schools have been scrutinized to the same degree as physical activity. Research investigating how interventions are implemented in public schools suggests a different outcome. Differences between research and school settings often make research results appear unrelatable to school administrators and educators. Administrators need to consider the cost benefit ratio of intervention implementation, and not just in relation to cost in terms of time spent out of direct instruction but in terms of money. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention takes a policy-focused approach in supporting school implementation of interventions to improve health.
