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Programme card
Country/locality/coverage
Republic of Ireland, national coverage
Target population
Children aged 12–15 years; first year to third year postprimary school youth
What modes/types/domains of physical activity does the programme promote?
Total physical activity, moderate to vigorous physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour
Which of the seven best investments does the programme address?
The programme addresses two of the seven investments; Health Education and Education
What sectors does it involve?
Health Education and Education
Estimated programme reach
With a current average of 62 000 students in each of the 3 years at Junior Cycle, this gives an estimated reach of 186 000 children over this initial 3-year period, and a further estimated 62 000 children (annual first year intake nationally) for each year of commitment after that
What is special about this programme?
Youth-Physical Activity Towards Health (Y-PATH) is a whole school programme, reaching out to physical education (PE) class, all teachers and parents. Crucially, Y-PATH fully supports delivery of the existing national PE curriculum in schools so does not create additional workload for PE teachers, and has the support of key national agencies for PE teacher education, postprimary education, sports and health
Key contact
Dr Sarahjane Belton (sarahjane.belton@dcu.ie)
Programme website
https://www.irishheart.ie/courses/y-path
Background to the programme
The problem of low levels of youth physical activity (PA) participation in Ireland and internationally is clear and irrefutable.1 2 The Youth-Physical Activity Towards Health (Y-PATH) programme commenced in 2010, with cross-sectional research exploring predisposing and reinforcing factors influencing low levels of Irish youth PA participation (including fundamental movement skill (FMS) proficiency, and attitudes, motivation and knowledge towards PA).3 In consultation with key stakeholders a targeted ‘whole-school’ intervention programme was developed on the …