Description of the Physical Education Intervention Component

The PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PEd) intervention component identified physical education class lesson plans, teaching methods, and equipment designed to increase both participation and number of minutes spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.  Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is achieved at a heart rate ≥ 130 beats per minute.  The goal of the physical education intervention component was for each student to experience at least 150 minutes of MVPA in physical education class over 2 weeks.

A teacher’s manual is available for each grade of middle school containing:

• Lesson plans in units designed to maximize student participation, increase MVPA, and reduce inactive time during physical education class.  Each unit presents 10-12 developmentally appropriate lessons covering equipment needed, set-up, activities to engage the student at entry to the class space, and cool-down activities.
• Chapters on effective class management and motivational techniques.