Active Schools Acceleration Project

Active Schools Acceleration Project. The Active Schools Acceleration Project was a national initiative launched in the United States to combat childhood obesity and increase physical activity in schools. It was founded in 2012 by a coalition including Harvard Medical School researcher John J. Ratey and the organization ChildObesity180 at Tufts University. The project aimed to identify, validate, and disseminate scalable, evidence-based physical activity programs for elementary schools, operating on the principle that active children are healthier and learn more effectively.

Background and inception

The project emerged during a period of heightened national concern over the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States. Key scientific findings, such as those presented in John J. Ratey's book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, highlighted the critical link between physical activity and cognitive function. Concurrently, organizations like ChildObesity180, based at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University and led by Christina D. Economos, were seeking actionable strategies. The initiative was formally launched with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the American College of Sports Medicine, aiming to translate research into practical solutions within the education system.

Core components and initiatives

The project's central strategy was the "Acceleration" grants initiative, a nationwide competition to identify the most effective school-based activity innovations. It specifically sought programs that were low-cost, easy to implement, and required minimal equipment. Awarded programs fell into two main categories: in-class physical activity breaks, such as Instant Recess and BrainErgizers, and before- or after-school initiatives like the Walking School Bus. The project also developed a comprehensive online toolkit and resource hub to support implementation, emphasizing protocols that could be integrated into the standard school day without displacing core academic subjects like mathematics or literacy.

Implementation and reach

Following the grant competition, the project focused on disseminating the validated programs across a diverse range of school districts. Implementation occurred in hundreds of elementary schools nationwide, spanning urban, suburban, and rural communities from California to Massachusetts. Training was provided to thousands of physical education teachers and classroom educators, often in partnership with local public health departments and university extension services. The project established formal partnerships with several state-level Departments of Education to encourage broader policy adoption and worked with organizations like the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to amplify its reach.

Research and impact

A rigorous evaluation component, led by researchers from Tufts University and the University of Massachusetts Boston, was integral to the project. Studies measured outcomes such as minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, body mass index (BMI) trends, and academic indicators like standardized test scores and on-task behavior. Published findings in journals such as Preventive Medicine and the American Journal of Public Health reported significant increases in daily physical activity among participating students. The project contributed to the evidence base supporting national recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Institute of Medicine regarding school-based physical activity.

Partnerships and funding

The project was a collaborative endeavor funded primarily by a major grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation through its Active Living Research program. Key operational and research partners included ChildObesity180 at Tufts University, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the American College of Sports Medicine. Corporate partners, such as Reebok and the National Football League through the NFL Play 60 campaign, provided additional support and promotional reach. These alliances were crucial for resource development, program dissemination, and advocating for the integration of physical activity into education policy at the local and state levels.

Category:Public health organizations in the United States Category:Physical education Category:Childhood obesity in the United States