Active Learning is a joint government initiative between Sport NZ, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Education. It seeks to improve the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi through healthy eating and drinking, and quality physical activity. It is a 5-year project, with $47.6m government funding as part of the wellbeing budget.

We completed the baseline evaluation last year (see link below for the infographic of the key findings) and planning is underway for the post-Phase 1 data collection (2022-2023).

This is Sport NZ’s flagship initiative and I feel honoured to be the principal researcher on the project. We’ve had many challenges along the way but thanks to my Massey University and AUT colleagues for their help in making this evaluation possible.

We recently presented an interim report to the government agencies; it’s wonderful to see that the initiative is starting to make a real difference in how primary and intermediate school teachers are working with the Sport NZ physical activity workforce to improve the health and wellbeing of our tamariki and rangatahi.

Collaborators:

With increasing numbers of children being enrolled in early childhood education (ECE) centres and participating in these settings for longer periods of time, this environment is becoming extremely important with regards to healthy practices regarding physical activity (PA), nutrition and sleep. However, due to minimal ECE teacher training on PA (Kane, 2005), teachers’ perceptions of risk (“cotton wool” children) and rigid playground regulations (Ministry of Education, 2008), the evidence suggests that pre-schoolers’ PA opportunities are being limited. In addition we currently know very little about healthy practices with regards to healthy eating and sleep in ECE centres. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a 3-month physical literacy programme on children’s PA levels and teacher practices within ECE centres. The project is in collaboration with Jumping Beans International and Best Start Educare.

Collaborators: Prof Claire McLachlan (University of Waikato), Dr Cathryn Conlon, Dr Tara McLaughlin and Owen Mugridge (Massey University)

The use of sport drinks, energy drinks, and other beverages is an important topic for both sports performance and the health of New Zealand children. Children have different responses to exercise than adults and may require and benefit from differing nutrition and hydration plans. Recent research shows New Zealand children identified 31 different beverages associated with sport, but there is currently a lack of information about actual intake of drinks before, during and after sport. This study is aiming to use a survey to investigate the types and quantities of beverages that 11-14 year olds are drinking before, during, and after sport.

Student: Daniel Gordon (BSc Honours candidate)

Collaborators: Dr Kay Rutherfurd-Markwick, Dr Carol Wham, Dr Andrew Foskett, Dr Cheryl Gammon (Massey University)

Due to the rising prevalence of childhood obesity, effort must be made to encourage children to participate in physical activity more regularly. However, obese children are less likely to participate in regular physical activity, which may be influenced by difficulties running or transitioning between walking and running. Identifying factors contributing to difficulties during such fundamental skills may be used to inform targeted training programmes, thus enabling obese children to participate in more activities of moderate-to-vigorous intensity. Unfortunately, no research has investigated the biomechanics of running or walk-to-run transitions in obese children along with the associated metabolic costs and perceived effort of these activities. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate biomechanical (joint movements and muscle activity), physiological (energy expenditure) and perceptual differences during the walk-to-run transition between obese, overweight and non-obese children.

Student: Stacey Kung (PhD candidate)

Collaborators: Dr Sarah Shultz, Prof Stephen Legg, Dr Phil Fink (Massey University)