Engaging Young People in Running Clubs: Best Practices from Marathon Kids' Volunteer Coaches. Issue 1 (2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Springer, Andrew E.; Deitz, Desma; Pettee Gabriel, Kelley; Harris, Makenzie; Trodick, Brandon; Guzman, Yolanda; Ediger, Stefanie; Hawkins, Cami; Kohl, Harold W.
• Is Part Of: Translational journal of the American College of Sports Medicine. Volume 7:Issue 1(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022
• Subjects: Exercise -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Periodicals; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; 613.7
• DOI: 10.1249/TJX.0000000000000185
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2379-2868

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Current deficiencies in children's leisure-time physical activity in the United States and globally underscore a pressing and ongoing need to enhance child ecosystems that include school and out-of-school time settings with physical activity supports and opportunities. Marathon Kids (MK) is an international nonprofit organization that promotes children's physical activity via school and community-based running clubs and programs. Building from the importance of indigenous knowledge and colearning with stakeholders within real-world settings for children's physical activity promotion, we explore best practices for the implementation of children's running clubs based on a national sample of U.S. adult volunteer MK coaches. As a secondary aim, we describe selected implementation characteristics of MK running clubs as relates to when clubs are implemented and average weekly minutes scheduled for running clubs. Methods: This study was guided primarily by a phenomenological approach to qualitative research. Data were collected in 2019 from MK coaches via an online survey that included open and closed-ended items on MK delivery and best practices. Qualitative analyses were based on thematic analysis; quantitative analyses were based primarily on descriptive statistics. Results: MK coaches ( n = 478 out of 676 coaches; 70.7% response) from across the United States ( n = 35 states) participated. Eight primary themes encapsulated the best practice recommendations: running club leadership and support network; general organization and planning; student recruitment; running club implementation; tracking/logging miles; social support; communication and public promotion of running clubs; and guiding principles for running clubs. MK coaches reported an average of 112 weekly minutes scheduled for running/walking. Conclusions: MK coach best practice recommendations hold promise to enhance and further disseminate the establishment of volunteer-led running clubs for young people.