Focusing on increasing children’s daily physical activity

The conference Vetrarmót íþróttakennara (Winter Forum for Physical Education Teachers) was held by the Department of Sport Science at Reykjavík University on January 8. The event was opened by Kristján Halldórsson, Lecturer at the Department of Sport Science.

The conference began with short presentations by Dóra Sif Egilsdóttir and Ágúst S. Björgvinsson. Dóra Sif presented her project from her master’s studies focusing on physical activity among young children, while Ágúst introduced his final project on accessible basketball lesson plans for beginners, designed for use by physical education teachers. The second part of the conference focused on discussing how physical education teachers have successfully increased children’s daily physical activity.

A recent news report by RÚV from early December on the rising proportion of children with obesity served as a starting point for discussions on how physical education teachers can actively encourage physical activity among primary school pupils. Particular attention was given to students who participate in school sports less frequently.

A panel discussion featured Björk Varðardóttir, a physical education teacher, and Linda Heiðarsdóttir, Assistant Principal at Réttarholtsskóli, who addressed the extent to which physical education teachers can influence children’s daily physical activity. They discussed key challenges and barriers, as well as prevailing priorities in physical education teaching and within the school day.

Linda emphasised the importance of encouraging students who do not regularly participate in organised sports to try new activities. She noted that staff expertise within schools can be utilised to introduce a wider range of activities, citing her own experience of teaching social dance to middle school students due to her background in the field. She also described changes made last autumn to the annual school run at Réttarholtsskóli, redesigning it to appeal to a broader group of students. The initiative proved successful, with the event being introduced in classrooms to build excitement and the running or walking route being tested out by the students in advance during physical education lessons.

Björk focused on the missing children, i.e. those who are reluctant to participate in physical education classes and prefer to observe instead. Within her classes she has emphasised creating opportunities for students to try a variety of activities, such as tennis and climbing, which has proven effective in encouraging participation on students’ own terms. She added that the more experiences children are exposed to, the better equipped they are for the future and the more likely they are to specialise in a particular sport later on, should they wish to do so.

The discussions at the forum were constructive and much needed, highlighting the importance of collaboration and dialogue among physical education teachers. We have made a dedicated effort within the department to create a platform where physical education teachers can exchange ideas and discuss challenges in their professional practice, while also encouraging innovation and growth within the field.

Says Sveinn Þorgeirsson, University Lecturer at the Department of Sport Science at Reykjavík University and one of the organisers of the event.