Feasibility of an After-School Physical Activity Intervention for Adolescent Girls

BackgroundAdolescent girls are at an increased risk of low physical activity and the associated health consequences. Girls Can Move!, an after-school intervention guided by social cognitive theory, was designed to increase physical activity.PurposeTo examine the feasibility and initial effectiveness of Girls Can Move!MethodsThe 8-week pre-post intervention provided low-active adolescent female participants with a variety of physical activities led by active female role models. Attendance, weekly process evaluations, and a post-intervention focus group were used to assess satisfaction and feasibility. At pre- and post-intervention, participants wore an accelerometer for 7 days to measure physical activity.ResultsOf the 17 enrolled participants, 13 (11.7 +/- .7 years, 82% Black/African American or multiracial) completed the intervention. The average attendance rate was 82%. On a scale from 1 to 5, participants reported the sessions were fun (4.5 +/- .6) and increased their confidence (4.1 +/-.5) and physical activity (4.1 +/-.5). There were moderate-to-large increases in objectively measured physical activity (d = .71).DiscussionGirls Can Move! is feasible and should be tested using a randomized controlled trial design.Translation to Health Education PracticeGirls Can Move! can be implemented in after-school settings with the support of university and community partners to promote physical activity among adolescent girls.