Higher Physical Activity of School Personnel Is Related to More Positive Attitudes towards Children's Physical Activity at School

School personnel can struggle with meeting the daily physical activity recommendation; however, they are role models for students, and their attitudes towards physical activity can impact students' physical activity habits. The aim was to assess school personnel's physical activity and their attitudes regarding the importance of physical activity among students. The physical activity levels of 1030 school employees in Estonia were assessed using an accelerometer. Participants also responded to a questionnaire about physical activity habits, overall health, and attitudes about the importance of physical activity among students. About 92.6% of the participants met the World Health Organisation's weekly physical activity recommendation. However, 69.1% of the accelerometer wearing time was spent being sedentary. Only 5.8% of the wearing time was spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity. More active school personnel believed their lead affects students' attitudes towards physical activity (r = 0.072-0.156, p < 0.05) and being active at recess facilitates a peaceful learning environment in the classroom (r = 0.064-0.072, p < 0.05). Whereas more sedentary school personnel did not encourage students to be active at recess (r = -0.073, p < 0.05). More active school personnel had more positive attitudes towards physical activity, which demonstrates the importance of focusing on encouraging physical activity among school personnel as they can affect the behaviour of students.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the physical activity levels and attitudes of school employees in Estonia, finding that 92.6% of participants met weekly physical activity recommendations, but most of their time is spent being sedentary. It was also shown that more active school personnel have a positive impact on students' physical activity habits.