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Youth Programs

Movement and exercise provide academic research at two SHA youth programs

Movement and exercise provide academic research at two SHA youth programs

When Staci Andrews arrives at the youth program at John J. Duggan Park Apartments, children know it’s time to get moving.

And ‘get moving’ translates into aerobic exercise sessions that are fun and sure to get the heart beating quickly at the Springfield Housing Authority development in the Indian Orchard section of the city. The exercise sessions are also done with Andrews in youth programs at John L. Sullivan Apartments.

While the program has multiple benefits for the children, there’s also a second, more academic point: Andrews is doing research on the impact of exercise on urban children for her dissertation.

Andrews is a doctoral student at Springfield College, earning a terminal degree in physical education/teaching administration. As part of her dissertation, she visits the Duggan and Sullivan youth programs twice a week each, engaging girls and boys in organized, safe play, and observing their progress.

“I’m giving them a lot of strategies about staying fit and exercising,” she said. “I hope they’ll be keeping physically active long after my work is done here.  It’s about creating opportunities for healthy lifestyles.”

Children at Duggan Apartments share in the fun of exercise, with direction from Springfield College doctoral student Staci Andrews.

Children at Duggan Apartments share in the fun of exercise, with direction from Springfield College doctoral student Staci Andrews.

Her goal is to engage the children in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous play activity and to expose each child to new ways of being physically active. In the tiny community room at Duggan, that can pose a challenge.

But it’s a challenge that Andrews rises to nicely, and always with input from participants. She typically asks their opinion on what they want to do, helps them set up a game or activity, then heartily joins in the fun.

“I provide them with choices. Ultimately, it’s up to them what they do, as long as it’s safe,” she said.

On a recent rainy afternoon at Duggan, Andrews met with children, suggesting a few games using colorful plastic balls and hoops that she brings along. A ball toss and run activity was the chosen play for the day, and children quickly began moving across the rectangular room, picking up and passing red balls under the direction of Andrews and her graduate research assistant, Korey Higgins.

In better weather, children head outside, playing games that involve running, frequently with a ball or object they work in teams to capture and bring to a spot for a score.

At Sullivan Apartments, Staci Andrews leads a session featuring colorful hoops.

At Sullivan Apartments, Staci Andrews leads a session featuring colorful hoops.

Children agree that the visits by Andrews and Higgins have added a fun element to the program.

“I like it because we do all kinds of fun activities,” said Davier Cruz, who is 8. “It makes us get moving. It feels like you’re just playing, but you’re actually exercising. It’s good for us.”

Joelis Rivera, also 8, agreed.

“You really get your heart working. We run a lot. We know it’s good for us, and we’re all having fun at the same time,” she said.

Andrews’ research is very much in the form of qualitative data, based on interviews done with site leaders before she began her work, and similar interviews she will conduct when done, focusing on physical activity among children. She also has her own observations to use in her dissertation, which is titled ‘Perceptions of and Self-Efficacy Toward Physical Activity.’

To that end, she works with children to get a sense of their backgrounds, discover what motivates them, and expose them to new activities that work for them. She also videotapes many of the sessions, watching later for patterns and signs of improvement. From site leaders, she has focused on the self-efficacy component, or finding ways to encourage the children to exercise on their own.

“I’m hoping that after my work is done, they’ll have more confidence,” Andrews said.

Springfield College doctoral student Staci Andrews and her graduate assistant, Korey Higgins.

Springfield College doctoral student Staci Andrews and her graduate assistant, Korey Higgins.

At Duggan, site leader Sally Hardy said the project is clearly having its benefits, even when Andrews and Higgins are not there.

“The kids like it. It’s new and it’s fun,” explained Hardy. “We exercise anyway. We walk to the library, we play dodge ball. But now, I find myself using some of her techniques. She’s given me a lot of great ideas.”

Andrews and Higgins will work with the Duggan and Sullivan youth groups through early June.

“I’m hoping that beyond that, they’ll stay physically active,” Andrews said.

 

3606 days ago / Youth Programs
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