The implementation of the Smart Moves daily physical activity program in Queensland state primary schools

The implementation of the Smart Moves daily physical activity program in Queensland state primary schools

In 2006, the Department of Education, Training and Employment (DETE) instigated a mandatory daily physical activity program for implementation in Queensland state schools following recommendations from a Ministerial Review of Sport and Physical Activity. The daily physical activity program is referred to as Smart Moves.
This research seeks to determine if teachers are implementing Smart Moves as per the mandated requirements and the extent to which the program is being implemented in Queensland state primary schools. In order to make these determinations, a mixed methods approach was used to collect data from Queensland state primary school teachers required to implement Smart Moves. A survey questionnaire was disseminated and face-to-face interviews were conducted. The data collected has been analysed and the findings discussed.
There have been a number of limitations affiliated with the data collection and subsequent analysis and discussion of this project. The results are recorded with these limitations in mind.
The major finding of the research is Queensland state primary school teachers are not implementing Smart Moves as per the mandated requirements. This has been attributed to a number of reasons, however, the most significant is the lack of time available to provide opportunities for the students to engage in daily physical activity. Generally, teachers are aware of the benefits of daily physical activity, and acknowledge the elements that enable them to include physical activity in their program.
The implication of this research suggests that the parameters of the daily physical activity requirements need to be reviewed and further investigation into the implementation of Smart Moves needs to be undertaken. The Smart Moves program, in its current form, is not being implemented in Queensland state primary schools as per the mandated requirements.

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