The refinement and development of the Project FLAME intervention
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Date
2020-10-01
Authors
Donovan, Brian
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University College Cork
Published Version
Abstract
Introduction:
Recent research in Ireland has shown that adolescents display
poor motor competence levels across both fundamental movement skills and
functional movement patterns. Physical Education (PE)-based interventions
delivered by specialist PE teachers can have a positive impact on youths’
motor competence (MC).
Purpose:
The purpose of this thesis is to complete a formative evaluation
towards refining and developing the original Project FLAME intervention to
progress to its next stage of development via the expansion of its quantitative
evidence base, and the refinement of the intervention and its resources based
on qualitative feedback from pre-service PE specialist teachers.
Methods:
Study 1 entailed the collection of cross-sectional MC data amongst
Irish adolescent youths across years 1 – 3 of post-primary school (N = 373;
178 girls; mean age = 14.38 ± 0.86 years). Actual MC data was collected
across ten Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) and seven Functional
Movement Screen™ (FMS™) movements. FMS were collected across the
locomotor, object control and stability constructs using established testing
batteries, namely the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD), the TGMD-
2, and the Get Skilled: Get Active manual. Functional movement was
assessed using the FMS™. Actual MC data were analysed using sex as a comparative variable across FMS and FMS™. Correlational analysis and chi-square
tests were utilised to determine association between the movement
constructs and dysfunctional movement prevalence, respectively. Study 2
adopted qualitative methods via a focus group (FG) discussion conducted with
six pre-service teachers following their participation in a Project FLAME
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) style workshop. The FG
discussions focussed on two topics: 1) adolescent MC, and 2) perceptions of
Project FLAME and its resources. Thematic analysis of the data was then
conducted.
Results:
Study 1 suggested that Irish adolescents display 1) low levels of MC
proficiency across FMS and FMS™; 2) sex-based differences across both MC
constructs; 3) high levels of dysfunctional movement; 4) a moderate
association between their overall performance of FMS and FMS™. Study 2
found that the practising pre-service PE specialist teachers believed that sport
participation and physical activity (PA) had a significant impact on their
students’ MC, that MC was generally low and declined with age, and that a
substantial MC proficiency gap was evident between high and low skilled
adolescents. The participants showed support for Project FLAME and its
resources as a facilitator of their pedagogical practice and suggested practical
amendments (for example, putting QR code video links next to their relevant
activity in the Project FLAME handbook) which would enhance the resource’s
practicality and accessibility.
Discussion:
Overall, this thesis suggested that quantitative evidence of actual
MC deficiency is apparent in Irish adolescents which is corroborated by
qualitative data from practising pre-service PE specialist teachers, highlighting
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the need for effective MC interventions such as Project FLAME to ameliorate
this deficiency. The increased scale and diversity of actual MC testing further
developed Project FLAME’s evidence base. The association of FMS and
FMS™ in Irish adolescents reinforces the foundations of the Project FLAME
intervention in its inclusion of both MC constructs together. These results have
been used to make refinements and developments to the original Project
FLAME, and its resources, informing the development of a new iteration. This
new iteration will be used in Project FLAME’s next phase as it undergoes a
randomised controlled trial (RCT).
Description
Keywords
Adolescent , Intervention , Fundamental movement skills , Functional movement , Motor competence
Citation
Donovan, B. 2020. The refinement and development of the Project FLAME intervention. MRes Thesis, University College Cork.