Exploring the feasibility of a ‘Move to Sport’ programme for secondary Physical Education

A global decline in levels of movement competency and athleticism in children presents the urgent need to look at how to reverse this trend. Long term athletic development modelling proposes the habitual development of athleticism as a way to address this decline. Movement-based interventions have also been created in an attempt to improve children’s movement competence. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of a co-produced movement and athleticism programme (Move to Sport [M2S]). M2S was used with seven participating PE teachers during secondary PE lessons over a 6-week period. Qualitative data were captured through mid-intervention interviews and a post-intervention focus group. Feasibility was measured using four dimensions of a feasibility framework; implementation, practicality, adaptation and integration. Findings suggest that M2S could be implemented within the structure of a typical PE lesson. Teachers reported that M2S supported the development of sport specific skills that linked well with other activities and sports in their curriculum and promoted inclusion. Teachers felt that M2S could be integrated as an assessment tool or targeted intervention for children of all abilities. The findings suggest that M2S could be a potential solution in addressing declining movement competence and athleticism in young people.