An International Review of the Contributions of School-based Physical Activity, Physical Education, and School Sport to the Promotion of Health-enhancing Physical Activity

This report presents a series of reviews of the scientific literature to summarise the current evidence of the contributions of different school-based settings on the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity. The objectives of this report are: to review evidence from the last ten years of the contributions of school-based physical activity, physical education, and school sport on the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity; to consider the role of certain transversal factors in supporting the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity; to present a series of practical, evidence-based recommendations in support of the subsequent activities in the HEPAS project. The settings are: Physical activity (including Active Breaks; Active Learning; Active Recess; Active Transport; Active Homework); Physical Education (Curriculum physical education Lessons; Teacher Education / Workforce); and School Sport. The settings are supplemented by a set of ‘transversal categories’, which represent mediating factors for effective realisation of the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity are: Inclusion and Diversity; Continuous Professional Development; Facilities, Equipment and Resources; Community Partnerships; and School Events, Project Weeks, Camps.