DOI: 10.15125/bath-01438
title: Dataset for Health Education Journal, 'The promise of teacher-led physical activity strategies informed by pupil data'

description: The project in which this data comes from was designed to take advantage of the recent introduction of commercially available wearable devices specifically designed for the school environment (Moki Technology Ltd. ©, 2021). The devices used includes a wrist-mounted tri-accelerometer without a screen, so pupils’ access to their data is controlled by the teacher. Accelerometers return data using proprietary algorithms that include estimated step count and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) averaged over 30-minute blocks. Devices are tapped against a contactless (near-field communication) reader to instantly download data which are displayed on a teacher-facing dashboard. Moki devices have good external validity and represent a good option for school-based research (Sun et al., 2021). This type of system also makes it possible to conduct research remotely (e.g., during COVID-19).  

The current study sought to share PA data from school classes with the class teacher so they could develop bespoke strategies aiming to increase PA amongst their pupils. Within-subjects’ in-school PA was measured pre- and post- data-sharing discussions. Pupils in each school aged 8-11 (Year 5-6 pupils) were invited to participate and were provided with participant information sheets for themselves and their parents (N = 489). 

The dataset includes physical activity data in the form of step counts (Steps) in 30-minute blocks for each anonymised pupil and teacher (Unique ID), and information about the year and month of birth (Year), (Gender), the date (Date) and (Time) step counts were recorded. The data also details which (School) the pupils come from, whether the data is from a (Teacher), and whether this was during the (Baseline or Intervention) period.
description: Methods

Participants Ethical approval (EP 19/20 009) was granted by the Research Ethics Approval Committee for Health (REACH) at the University of Bath.
Schools and class teachers were recruited through email and word of mouth from the South- West of England. Opportunistic sampling was used; schools were recruited on a first-come first-served basis, which was also influenced by device availability. Recruitment initially commenced in October 2020 but was paused due to UK COVID-19 national lockdowns before re-commencing in March 2021 and ending in September 2021.
School headteachers consented to being involved in the project before all pupils in each school aged 8-11 (Year 5-6 pupils) were invited to participate and were provided with participant information sheets for themselves and their parents (N = 489). Whilst information sheets were sent home to parents, it was not feasible to talk to parents due to COVID-19 restrictions; and the research was conducted fully remotely. Year 5 and 6 pupils were chosen as it is well reported that this is the least active class age group in primary education.

Baseline pupil physical activity was measured for 2-weeks using a commercially available accelerometer, before data visualisations were used to inform teacher-led strategies with the aim of improving pupils’ physical activity. These strategies were then implemented, with physical activity measured post-data-sharing discussions. Mixed-methods analysis explored the feasibility of using data visualisations to inform teachers’ understanding of their pupils’ physical activity and the development and implementation of teacher-led, school-specific strategies to increase pupils’ physical activity
description: The raw data was processed, cleaned, and analysed using R version 4.1.3 (2022-03-10) (R Core Team, 2022)