Cited by 205Physical Activity and HealthSports and Physical Education StudiesObesity, Physical Activity, Diet

The theory of expanded, extended, and enhanced opportunities for youth physical activity promotion

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Beets, Michael W., Okely, Anthony, Weaver, R. Glenn, Webster, Collin, Lubans, David, Brusseau, Tim, Carson, Russ, Cliff, Dylan P.·2016·International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Physical activity interventions targeting children and adolescents (≤18 years) often focus on complex intra- and inter-personal behavioral constructs, social-ecological frameworks, or some combination of both. Recently published meta-analytical reviews and large-scale randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that these intervention approaches have largely produced minimal or no improvements in young people's physical activity levels. DISCUSSION: In this paper, we propose that the main reason for previous studies' limited effects is that fundamental mechanisms that lead to change in youth physical activity have often been overlooked or misunderstood. Evidence from observational and experimental studies is presented to support the development of a new theory positing that the primary mechanisms of change in many youth physical activity interventions are approaches that fall into one of the following three categories: (a) the expansion of opportunities for youth to be active by the inclusion of a new occasion to be active, (b) the extension of an existing physical activity opportunity by increasing the amount of time allocated for that opportunity, and/or (c) the enhancement of existing physical activity opportunities through strategies designed to increase physical activity above routine practice. Their application and considerations for intervention design and interpretation are presented. The utility of these mechanisms, referred to as the Theory of Expanded, Extended, and Enhanced Opportunities (TEO), is demonstrated in their parsimony, logical appeal, support with empirical evidence, and the direct and immediate application to numerous settings and contexts. The TEO offers a new way to understand youth physical activity behaviors and provides a common taxonomy by which interventionists can identify appropriate targets for interventions across different settings and contexts. We believe the formalization of the TEO concepts will propel them to the forefront in the design of future intervention studies and through their use, lead to a greater impact on youth activity behaviors than what has been demonstrated in previous studies.

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  1. [33]Dubin R Theory Building 1978 New York Free Press
  2. [82]Brazendale K, Beets MW, Weaver RG, Huberty J, Beighle AE, Pate RR. Wasting Our Time? Allocated Versus Accumulated Physical Activity in Afterschool Programs. J Phys Act Health. 2014. PMC4436080 25271393

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Authors
Beets, M. W., Okely, A., Weaver, R. G., Webster, C., Lubans, D., Brusseau, T., Carson, R., & Cliff, D. P.
Affiliations
  • University of South Carolina (US)
  • University of Wollongong (AU)
  • University of Newcastle Australia (AU)
  • University of Northern Colorado (US)
Corresponding author
Beets, Michael W.
Venue
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Published
2016-11-16
Volume
13
Issue
1
Pages
120-120
ISSN
1479-5868 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2555336036
Cited by
205
References
114
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 35 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 1
FWCI
19.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Online (University of Wollongong) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • NOVA (University of Newcastle Australia) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Social Sciences › Life-span and Life-course Studies › Sports and Physical Education Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
Keywords
children's physical activity, physical activity promotion, mechanisms of change, physical activity interventions, children and adolescents, socio-ecological framework, intervention design, physical activity opportunities
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Child, Health Promotion, Humans, Social Environment, Exercise

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