Background: Sedentary lifestyles among school-aged children, especially those with disabilities, poses significant public health concerns. Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAP) are pivotal in promoting physical activity (PA) within school settings, yet students with disabilities (SWD) often engage less in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) compared to students without disabilities (SWOD). This discrepancy highlights the need for interventions to enhance PA among SWD, with peer tutoring emerging as a promising strategy. Methods: This study utilized a non-experimental design involving systematic direct observation and accelerometry to assess MVPA among 124 secondary school students, including 33 SWD, across various CSPAP components. Additionally, a multiple-treatment reversal design was employed to explore the impact of trained vs. untrained peer tutors on MVPA levels during Physical Education and lunchtime recess. The interventions focused on peer tutor training, aiming to increase the effectiveness of peer support and, consequently, the MVPA engagement of SWD. Results: Significant disparities in MVPA engagement between SWD and SWOD exist, emphasizing the need for strategies to promote equitable PA participation. Trained peer tutors significantly enhanced MVPA levels among SWD during both structured Physical Education classes and unstructured recess periods. Key determinants of MVPA engagement included the structured support provided by trained peer tutors, the content of PA sessions, and the frequency of peer interactions. Conclusion: The study underscores the critical role of trained peer support in facilitating increased PA engagement among SWD within CSPAP sessions. It highlights the necessity for inclusive, accessible school PA programs that accommodate the diverse needs of all students. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of peer tutor training and its integration into broader educational policies to foster a more inclusive and active school environment for SWD.

Informed by Behavioral Ecological Model (BEM), Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, and Model for Learning With Digital Video, this project assessed: (a) the effects of mobile application (App) technology on students’ skill and game play development during a badminton sport education season and (b) a physical education teacher and students’ perceptions about the use of the App technology. Two eighth grade classes participated in the study (the teacher only used the App in Class A; students used the App in Class B). The Poole forehand overhead clear shot skill test, game performance assessment instrument (GPAI), and opportunity to respond (OTR) observation tool were used to measure skill development and game improvement in the first study. Students’ practices and game play performance were recorded. Critical incident sheets, the teacher’s daily reflections, and interviews with the teacher were used in second study. In the first study, students in both intervention classes, regardless of the App use condition (i.e., teacher vs students), improved in the clear shot skill, tactical dimensions of their game performance (i.e., skill execution, decision-making, and base position), and opportunities to respond rates (i.e., success and acceptability). In the second study, there was evidence that a physical education teacher can effectively integrate the use of a motion analysis App and complement his instructional skills during regular instruction in a middle school badminton context. Also, it was evident that the App provided students with active learning opportunities through instant feedback on skill and game performance. Further research on the use of such App technologies should focus on: (a) how the App technology can be innovative to foster student learning in game play in Physical Education settings and (b) how teachers understand the use of technology along with their pedagogical skills.

Whole school physical activity (PA) programming provides additional PA opportunities at school beyond Physical Education. Physical Educators often absorb the additional responsibilities of leading such programs, resulting in some Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) programs adopting expanded PA programming and integrating related topics into their curriculum. The Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) is of interest to the present study as it focuses on Quality Physical Education and is the model utilized at the institution of interest.

Arizona State University’s PETE program began integrating CSPAP concepts in 2009 and serves as the focal program for this study. The purpose of this study, which was informed by The Diffusion of Innovations and the Teacher Socialization Theories, was to determine the degree to which graduates integrate PA programming into their own K-12 schools. In a two-phase (electronic survey followed by campus visit and interview with sub-sample), mixed methods’ approach, 101 graduates (between the years of 2000-2019) of Arizona State University’s PETE program provided details of their current practices related to expanded PA.

Results: Quantitative findings included weak but positive relationships between year of graduation and knowledge of CSPAP and having positive perceptions of expanded PA as an innovation. Bachelors’ graduates reported higher PA integration than Masters’ graduates. Visual inspection of data shows a slight increase in perceptions of expanded PA as an innovation and a slight decrease in PA programming integration across years of graduation. Interviews provided evidence that more recent graduates may still be figuring out their roles, delaying their PA program. Increased perceptions scores suggest the PETE program at ASU has been successful in providing students positive interactions with expanded PA programming. Graduates indicated they felt well prepared with strategies and resources for promoting and maintaining such programs, but they noted a need for more exposure to tools for initiating a new program. Findings can inform changes in the ASU PETE program and may be applicable in other settings. Establishing ongoing contact with graduates to provide marketing and support tools graduates can access may be beneficial as teachers often realize the need for these materials well beyond graduation.

Since the field of Physical Education carries a broader role of physical activity promotion, it is important for Physical Educators to take leadership roles in Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAP) in schools. Hence, it has been emphasized that Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) programs may need to prepare PETE majors adequately to promote physical activity beyond quality Physical Education programs in schools. The purpose of this study was to explore the current extent of CSPAP preparation in PETE programs (e.g., curricula and practices).

The first phase of this study comprised a nationwide survey study on PETE programs’ curriculum and experiences for CSPAP implementation. A total of 144 programs completed the online survey about curriculum and learning experiences for the CSPAP components. Descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, chi-square statistics, and analysis of variance were used to analyze data. Findings indicated that 107 of 144 PETE programs (74.3%) had no learning experiences for CSPAP. The prevalent type of learning experiences was incorporating CSPAP components in the existing courses. Field experiences were not frequently used for CSPAP preparation. PETE personnel expressed the utility of field experiences as an ideal CSPAP learning experience.

The second phase of this study addressed PETE majors’ perceptions and learning experiences related to CSPAP in PETE programs. Fourteen PETE students from six programs participated in this study and shared their experiences in PETE programs. Data were collected through a short survey, one formal interview, field images, document gathering, and a follow-up survey. Descriptive statistics, constant comparison, and analytic induction techniques were used to analyze the data. Evidence from interviews, photos, and documents revealed three common themes: a) introducing CSPAP through courses, (b) lacking programmatic experiences in CSPAP implementation (i.e., practice doing it), and (c) interpersonal skills (e.g., communication or cooperation) as a key for CSPAP but limited preparation. Participants’ perception of the role of Physical Educators as physical activity directors evolved during their training.

Expanding existing courses for CSPAP preparation would be a feasible way to introduce CSPAP framework. Additional efforts to include hands-on learning experiences for all CSPAP components in PETE programs should be made.