| The purpose of this study was to assess the experience of 5th grade students in a Mid-Western elementary school (N = 67) participating in a two-week WJR (Walk, Jog, Run) intervention during their school day. Students were given the opportunity to participate in WJR for a daily 10- minute continuous period each day, and they completed surveys prior to the intervention, at the end of the intervention, and a final time 1- week post intervention. Students completed pre and post measures of participation in, and enjoyment of WJR outside the school setting, and post measures of enjoyment and benefit (academic, fitness) of the WJR intervention. Results revealed that students enjoyed the WJR intervention and saw moderate fitness and academic benefit to it. With regard to their enjoyment of the intervention, they reported significantly greater enjoyment 1-week post- intervention than immediately post- intervention. In addition, students reported participating in significantly more WJR outside the school day 1-week post- intervention than immediately post- intervention. Students also indicated they enjoyed participating in WJR outside the school day more immediately post- intervention and 1-week post- intervention than pre- intervention. Lastly the teachers’ perceptions of the students’ enjoyment of the intervention and the benefit (academic; fitness) to the students was higher a week after the intervention than immediately post- intervention. Overall, the results suggest that the WJR intervention was successful in heightening students’ enjoyment of and participation in PA. This intervention was inexpensive, easy to implement and suggests that further implementation of it should occur on a larger scale.;Keywords: exercise, enjoyment, elementary school. |
