Publications & Research Outcomes

The following articles prove the dramatic results achieved by schools and agencies that have implemented SPARK programs. SPARK is the most published study ever on K-8 physical education!







Publications: SPARK Overview

(The following paper provides the best overview and history of SPARK):

McKenzie, T. L., Sallis, J. F., & Rosengard, P. (2009). Beyond the stucco tower: Design, development, and dissemination of the SPARK physical education programs. Quest, 61, 114-127. Read Now

McKenzie, T. L., Sallis, J. F., Rosengard, P., & Ballard, K. (2016) The SPARK Programs: A Public Health Model of Physical Education Research and Dissemination. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 35, 381-389. Read Now


Publications: SPARK Elementary PE

1. Mostafavi, R., Ziaee, V., Akbari, H., & Haji-Hosseini, S. (2013). The effects of SPARK physical education program on fundamental motor skills in 4-6 year-old children. Iranian Journal of Pediatrics, 23(2), 216-219.Read Now

2. Prosper, M. H., Moczulski, V. L., Qureshi, A., Weiss, M., & Bryars, T. (2009). Healthy for life/pe4me: Assessing an intervention targeting childhood obesity. Californian Journal of Health Promotion, 7(Special Issue), November 16, 2009. Read Now

3. Cardon, G. M., Haerens, L. E., Verstraete, S., & de Bourdeaudhuij, I. (2009). Perceptions of a school-based self- management program promoting an active lifestyle among elementary schoolchildren, teachers, and parents. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 28, 141-154. Read Now

4. Rosenberg, Dori E., Sallis, J.F., Conway, T.L., Cain, K.L. & McKenzie, T.L. (2006). Active transportation to school over 2 years in relation to weight status and physical activity. Obesity, 10, 1771-1776. Read Now

5. McKenzie, T. L., Sallis, J. F., Faucette, N., Roby, J., & Kolody, B. (1993). Effects of an inservice intervention on the quality and quantity of elementary classroom teachers’ physical education classes. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 64, 178-187. Read Now

6. McKenzie, T. L., Alcaraz, J. E., Sallis, J. F., & Faucette, F. N. (1998). Effects of a physical education program on children’s manipulative skills. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 17, 327-341. Read Now

7. Dowda, M. C., Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., Rosengard, P. R. & Kohl, H. W. (2005). Evaluating the sustainability of SPARK physical education: A case study of translating research into practice. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 76, 11-19. Read Now

8. Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., Alcaraz, J. E., Kolody, B., Hovell, M. F., & Nader, P. R. (1993). Project SPARK: Effects of physical education on adiposity in children. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 699, 127-136. Read Now

9. Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., Kolody, B., Lewis, M., Marshall, S., & Rosengard, P. (1999). Effects of health-related physical education on academic achievement: Project SPARK. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 70, 127-134. Read Now

10. Armstrong, C. A., Sallis, J. F., Alcaraz, J. E., Kolody, B., McKenzie, T. L., & Hovell, M. F. (1998). Children’s television viewing, body fat, and physical fitness. American Journal of Health Promotion, 12, 363-368.

11. Butcher, J., Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., & Alcaraz, J. E. (2001). Longitudinal study of children’s participation in organized sport and instructional programs. Avante, 7(1), 86-96.

12. Faucette, N., McKenzie, T. L., & Sallis, J. (1992). Self-contained versus Team teaching: An analysis of a physical education intervention by classroom teachers. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 11, 268-287.

13. Faucette, N., Nugent, P., Sallis, J. F., & McKenzie, T. L. (2002). “I’d rather chew on aluminum foil.” Overcoming classroom teachers’ resistance to teaching physical education. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 21, 287-308.

14. Faucette, N., Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., Alcaraz, J., & Kolody, B. (1995). Comparison of fourth grade students’ out-of-school physical activity levels and choices by gender. Journal of Health Education, 26(2) Supplement, 82-90.

15. Hovell, M. F., Sallis, J. F., Kolody, B., McKenzie, T. L. (1999). Children’s physical activity choices: A developmental analysis of gender, intensity levels, and time. Pediatric Exercise Science, 11, 158-168.

16. Kolody, B., & Sallis, J. F. (1995). A prospective study of ponderosity, body image, self-concept, and psychological variables in children. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 16, 1-5.

17. Marcoux, M.F., Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., Marshall, S., Armstrong, C. A., & Goggin, K. (1999). Process evaluation of a physical activity self-management program for children: SPARK. Psychology and Health, 14, 659-677.

18. Marshall, S., Sarkin, J., Sallis, J. F., & McKenzie, T. L. (1998). Tracking of health-related fitness components in youth ages 9-12. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30, 910-916.

19. McKenzie, T. L., Alcaraz, J., & Sallis, J. F. (1994) Assessing children’s liking for activity units in an elementary school physical education curriculum. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 13, 206-215.

20. McKenzie, T. L., LaMaster, K. J., Sallis, J. F., Marshall, S. J. (1999). Classroom teachers’ leisure time physical activity and their conduct of physical education. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 19, 125-131.

21. McKenzie, T. L., Sallis, J. F., & Armstrong, C. A. (1994) Association between direct observation and accelerometer measures of children’s physical activity during physical education and recess. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 26(5), Supplement, 143. (Abstract)

22. McKenzie, T. L., Sallis, J. F., Kolody, B., & Faucette, N. (1997). Long term effects of a physical education curriculum and staff development program: SPARK. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 68, 280-291.

23. McKenzie, T.L., Sallis, J.F., and Nader, P.R. (1991). SOFIT: System for observing fitness instruction time. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 11, 195-205.

24. Prochaska, J.J., Sallis, J.F., Slymen, D.J., & McKenzie, T.L. (2003). A longitudinal study of children’s enjoyment of physical education. Pediatric Exercise Science, 15, 170-178.

25. Rosengard, P. (1994). Helping elementary school classroom teachers provide quality physical education instruction. CAHPERD Journal/Times, 57(2), 5.

26. Rosengard, P. & McKenzie, T.L. (1994). Strategies to increase children’s physical activity levels in physical education. CAHPERD Journal/Times, 57(1), 9.

27. Rosengard, P., Sallis, J.F., and McKenzie, T.L. (1997). Thirteen ways parents can encourage physical activity in children. Strategies, 11(2), 25-26.

28. Sallis, J. F., Alcaraz, J. E., McKenzie, T. L., & Hovell, M. F. (1999). Predictors of change in children’s physical activity over 20 months in Project SPARK: Variations by sex and level of adiposity. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 16, 222-229.

29. Sallis, J. F., Alcaraz, J. E., McKenzie, T. L., Hovell, M. F., Kolody, B., & Nader, P. R. (1992). Parental behavior in relation to physical activity and fitness in 9-year-old children. American Journal of Diseases of Children, 146, 1383-1388.

30. Sallis, J. F., Condon, A., Goggin, K., Roby, J., Kolody, B., & Alcaraz, J. (1993). The development of self-administered physical activity surveys for 4th grade students. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 64, 25-31.

31. Sallis, J.F., and McKenzie, T.L. (1991). Physical education’s role in public health. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 62, 124-137. (lead article for a series that were invited to comment on this paper). Reprinted in AAHPERD’s Speaking of Fitness anthology, 1996.

32. Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., & Alcaraz, J. E. (1993). Habitual physical activity and health-related physical fitness in fourth-grade children. American Journal of Diseases of Children, 147, 890-896.

33. Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., Alcaraz, J. E., Kolody, B., Faucette, N., & Hovell, M. F. (1997). The effects of a 2-year physical education program (SPARK) on physical activity and fitness in elementary school students. American Journal of Public Health, 87, 1328-1334.

34. Sarkin, J. A., McKenzie, T. L., & Sallis, J. F. (1997). Gender differences in physical activity during fifth-grade physical education and recess periods. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 17, 99-106.

35. Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., Kolody, B., & Curtis, P. (1996). Assessing district administrators’ perceptions of elementary school physical education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 67(8), 25-29.

36. Discovering Obstacles to Physical Education (Do PE). Active Living Research, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. 2008-10; M. Lounsbery, PI).

37. Lounsbery, M. A., McKenzie, T. L., Trost. S. G., & Smith, N. J. (2011). Facilitators and barriers to adopting evidence-based physical education in elementary schools. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 8(Suppl 1), S17-S25.

38. Pühse, U., Barker, D., Brettschneider, W., Feldmeth, A. K. Gerlach, A., McCuaig, L., McKenzie, T. L., & Gerber, M. (2011). International approaches to health-oriented physical education: Local health debates and differing conceptions of health. International Journal of Physical Education. 48(3), 4-17.

39. Belansky, E., Cutforth, N., Kern, B., & Scarbro, S. (2016). Disseminating Evidence-Based Physical Education Practices in Rural Schools: The San Luis Valley Physical Education Academy. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 13, 1002-1009. Read Now

40. Smith, N. J., Belansky, E. S., & Cutforth, N. (2020). The Southeast Colorado PE Academy: Implementation and Outcomes in Rural Elementary Schools, 2014-16. Advances in Physical Education, 10, 436-458. Read Now


Publications: SPARK Middle School PE

(Project M-SPAN-Middle School Physical Activity and Nutrition)

1. McKenzie, T. L., Sallis, J. F., Prochaska, J. J., Conway, T. L., Marshall, S. J., & Rosengard, P. (2004). Evaluation of a 2-year middle school physical education intervention: M-SPAN. Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise, 36, 1382-1388. Read Now

2. Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., Conway, T. L., Elder, J. P., Prochaska, J. J., Brown, M., Zive, M. M., Marshall, S. J., & Alcaraz, J. E. (2003). Environmental Interventions for Eating and Physical Activity: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Middle Schools. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 24, 209-217. – Read Now

3. Hoefer, W. R., McKenzie, T. L., Sallis, J. F., Marshall, S. J., & Conway, T. L. (2001). Parental provision of transportation for adolescent physical activity. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 21(1), 48-51.

4. Jones, L. R., Sallis, J. F., Conway, T. L., Marshall, S. J., & Pelletier, R. L. (1999). Ethnic and gender differences in request for and use of low/non-fat foods in bag lunches. Journal of School Health, 69, 332-336.

5. Marshall, S. J., Biddle, S., Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., & Conway, T. L. (2002). Clustering of sedentary behaviors and physical activity among youth: A cross-national study. Pediatric Exercise Science, 14, 401-417.

6. McKenzie, T. L. (2001). Promoting youth physical activity: Focus on middle school environments. Quest, 53(3), 326-334.

7. McKenzie, T. L., Marshall, S. J., Sallis, J. F., & Conway, T. L. (2000). Leisure-time physical activity in school environments: An observational study using SOPLAY. Preventive Medicine, 30, 70-77.

8. McKenzie, T. L., Marshall, S. J., Sallis, J. F. & Conway, T. L. (2000). Student activity levels, lesson context, and teacher behavior during middle school physical education. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 71, 249-259.

9. McKenzie, T. L., Prochaska, J. J., Sallis, J. F., & LaMaster, K. (2004). Coeducational and single-sex physical education in middle schools: Impact on physical activity. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 75, 446-449.

10. Moody, J. S., Prochaska, J. J., Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., Brown, M., & Conway, T. (2004). Viability of parks and recreation centers as sites for youth physical activity Promotion. Health Promotion Practice, 5(4), 438-443

11. Powers, H. S., Conway, T. L., McKenzie, T. L., Sallis, J. F., & Marshall, S. J. (2002). Participation in extracurricular physical activity programs in middle schools. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 73, 187-192. (June)

12. Sallis, J. F. (1998). Helping schools provide better food and more activity. Weight Control Digest, 8(5), 748-752.

13. Sallis, J. F., Conway, T. L., Prochaska, J. J., McKenzie, T. L., Marshall, S. & Brown, M. (2001). School environments are associated with youth physical activity. American Journal of Public Health, 91, 618-620.

14. Sallis, J.F., McKenzie, T.L. Conway, T.L., Elder, J.P., Prochaska, J.J., Brown, M., Marshall, S.J., Alcaraz, J.E., Rosengard, R., Strelow, J., & Powers, H. (2002). Promoting and measuring youth physical activity throughout the school day: Project M-SPAN. Acta Kinesiologiae Universitatis Tartuensis, 7 (supplement), 44-53. (published in Estonia)

15. Strelow, J. S., Larson, J. J., Sallis, J. F., Conway, T. L., Powers, H. S., McKenzie, T. L. (2002). Factors influencing the performance of volunteers who provide physical activity in middle schools. Journal of School Health, 72, 147-151.

16. Wildey, M. B., Pampalone, S., Pelletier, R. L., Zive, M. M., Elder, J. P., & Sallis, J. F. (2000). Fat and sugar levels are high in snacks purchased from student stores in middle schools. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 100, 319-322.

17. HEALTHY Study Group. A school-based intervention for diabetes risk reduction. New England Journal of Medicine 2010; 363(5):443-453. PMCID: PMC2924187.

18. Jago R, McMurray RG, Bassin S, Pyle L, Bruecker S, Jakicic JM, Moe E, Murray T, Volpe SL. Modifying middle school physical education: piloting strategies to increase physical activity. Pediatric Exercise Science 2009; 21:171-185. PMCID: PMC2705879.

19. McMurray RG, Bassin S, Jago R, Bruecker S, Moe EL, Murray T, Mazzuto SL, Volpe SL for the HEALTHY Study Group. Rationale, design and methods of the HEALTHY study physical education intervention component. International Journal of Obesity 2009; 33:S37-S43. PMCID: PMC2747738.

20. Jago R, Drews KL, McMurray RG, Thompson D, Volpe SL, Moe EL, Jakicic JM, Pham TH, Bruecker S, Blackshear TB, Yin Z. Fatness, fitness, and cardiometabolic risk factors among sixth grade youth. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2010; 42(8):1502–1510. PMCID: PMC2921216.

21. Jago R, McMurray RG, Drews KL, Moe EL, Murray T, Pham TH, Venditti EM, Volpe SL for the HEALTHY Study Group. HEALTHY intervention: fitness, physical activity and metabolic syndrome results. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2011; 43(8):1513-1522.

22. Yang, T. & Gyu, L. (2020). An investigation of physical activity promotion plans for female students: Action research on SPARK program based soccer class. Korean Journal of Sport Science, 31(2), 257-274. Read Now

23. Setiawan, H., Rahayu, N. I., & Juliantine, T. (2020). Integrasi program SPARK dalam pendidikan jasmani terhadap peningkatan health related fitness siswa. Jurnal Penelitian Ilmu Pendidikan, 13(2), 156-165. doi: https://doi.org/10.21831/jpipfip.v13i2.28979 Read Now


Publications: SPARK High School

1. Poster 1: Frank, J., McKenzie, T., Rosengard, P., & Smith, N. Pittsburgh Obesity Prevention Initiative: Lessons Learned. APHA, 2011. Read Now

2. Poster 2: Frank, J., McKenzie, T., Rosengard, P., & Smith, N. Pittsburgh Obesity Prevention Initiative: Lessons Learned. PETE, 2011. Read Now


Publications: SPARK Early Childhood

Click Here for SPARK Early Childhood research & outcomes. Read Now

1. Nicklas TA, Nguyen T, Butte N, Liu Y. (2013) The Children in Action Pilot Study. International Journal of Child Nutrition and Health. 2013;2:296-308. Read Now

2. Prosper, M.H., Moczulski V.L., Qureshi, A., Weiss,M., & Bryars,T. Healthy for Life/PE4ME: Assessing an Intervention Targeting Childhood Obesity. Californian Journal of Health Promotion 2009, Volume 7, Special Issue (Obesity Prevention).

3. Bryars, T. B., Mouttapa, M., McMahan, S., Tanjasiri, S. The Effects of a School-based Obesity Prevention/Intervention Program Targeting Preschool Children.

4. Bryars, T. B., Mouttapa, M., McMahan, S., Tanjasiri, S. Longitudinal Results of a School-Based Obesity Prevention Program Targeting Ethnically Diverse, Early Childhood Students.

5. Physical Activity Curriculum Training for Early Childhood Educators: 2006-2007 Evaluation Outcomes, Final Report.

6. Poster: Head Start Partnership to Prevent Childhood Obesity in New York State.

7. Poster 1: The Effects of a School Based Obesity Prevention/Intervention Program Targeting Preschool Children (Healthy For Life).

8. Poster 2: The Effects of a School Based Obesity Prevention/Intervention Program Targeting Preschool Children (Healthy For Life).


Publications: SPARK After School

Click Here for a summary of SPARK After School research & outcomes. Read Now

1. Messiah, S.E., Diego, A., Kardys, J., Kirwin, K., Hanson, E., Kirwin, K., Ramirez, S., Nottage, R., Arheart, K.L. (2014). Effect of a Park-Based Afterschool Program on Participant Obesity-Related Health Outcomes. American Journal of Health Promotion, 2014 Jan 24. Read Now

2. Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., Conway, T. L., Elder, J. P., Prochaska, J. J., Brown, M., Zive, M. M., Marshall, S. J., & Alcaraz, J. E. (2003). Environmental Interventions for Eating and Physical Activity: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Middle Schools. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 24, 209-217. Read Now

3. Cardon, G. M., Haerens, L. E., Verstraete, S., & de Bourdeaudhuij, I. (2009). Perceptions of a school-based self- management program promoting an active lifestyle among elementary schoolchildren, teachers, and parents. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 28, 141-154. Read Now

4. Nigg, C., Geller, K., Adams, P., Hamada, M., Hwang, P., & Chung, R. Successful dissemination of Fun 5 — a physical activity and nutrition program for children. Translational Behavioral Medicine 2012, Volume 2, Number 3. 276-288. Read Now

5. Haney, K., Messiah, S.E., Diego, A., Arheart, K.L., Kardys, J., Kirwin, K., Hanson, E., Ramirez, S., Nottage, R., Binhack, L. (2014). Park-Based Afterschool Program to Improve Cardiovascular Health and Physical Fitness in Children with Disabilities (2014). In press, Disability and Health, February 5, 2014.

6. Nigg, C., Geller, K., Adams, P., Hamada, M., Hwang, P. & Chung, R. (2012). Successful Dissemination of Fun 5 – A Physical Activity and Nutrition Program for Children. Translational Behavioral Medicine: Practice, Policy and Research. doi: 10.1007/s13142-012-0120-0.

7. Sandoval Iversen, C. S., Nigg, C. R. & Titchenal, T. A. (2011). The Impact of an Elementary After-School Nutrition and Physical Activity Program on Children’s Fruit and Vegetable Intake, Physical Activity, and Body Mass Index: Fun 5. Hawai‘i Medical Journal, 70 (suppl), 37-41.

8. Nigg, C.R. & Richards K. (2006). Cancer Research Center Hotline: Physical Activity in Youth. Hawaii Medical Journal, 65, 148-149 and 153.

9. Prosper, M. H., Moczulski, V. L., Qureshi, A., Weiss, M., & Bryars, T. (2009). Healthy for life/pe4me: Assessing an intervention targeting childhood obesity. Californian Journal of Health Promotion, 7(Special Issue), November 16, 2009.

10. Armstrong, C. A., Sallis, J. F., Alcaraz, J. E., Kolody, B., McKenzie, T. L., & Hovell, M. F. (1998). Children’s television viewing, body fat, and physical fitness. American Journal of Health Promotion, 12, 363-368.

11. Butcher, J., Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., & Alcaraz, J. E. (2001). Longitudinal study of children’s participation in organized sport and instructional programs. Avante, 7(1), 86-96.

12. Faucette, N., Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., Alcaraz, J., & Kolody, B. (1995). Comparison of fourth grade students’ out-of-school physical activity levels and choices by gender. Journal of Health Education, 26(2) Supplement, 82-90.

13. Kolody, B., & Sallis, J. F. (1995). A prospective study of ponderosity, body image, self-concept, and psychological variables in children. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 16, 1-5.

14. Marcoux, M.F., Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., Marshall, S., Armstrong, C. A., & Goggin, K. (1999). Process evaluation of a physical activity self-management program for children: SPARK. Psychology and Health, 14, 659-677.

15. Sallis, J. F., Condon, A., Goggin, K., Roby, J., Kolody, B., & Alcaraz, J. (1993). The development of self-administered physical activity surveys for 4th grade students. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 64, 25-31.

16. Hoefer, W. R., McKenzie, T. L., Sallis, J. F., Marshall, S. J., & Conway, T. L. (2001). Parental provision of transportation for adolescent physical activity. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 21(1), 48-51.

17. Marshall, S. J., Biddle, S., Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., & Conway, T. L. (2002). Clustering of sedentary behaviors and physical activity among youth: A cross-national study. Pediatric Exercise Science, 14, 401-417.

18. McKenzie, T. L. (2001). Promoting youth physical activity: Focus on middle school environments. Quest, 53(3), 326-334.

19. McKenzie, T. L., Marshall, S. J., Sallis, J. F., & Conway, T. L. (2000). Leisure-time physical activity in school environments: An observational study using SOPLAY. Preventive Medicine, 30, 70-77.

20. Moody, J. S., Prochaska, J. J., Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., Brown, M., & Conway, T. (2004). Viability of parks and recreation centers as sites for youth physical activity Promotion. Health Promotion Practice, 5(4), 438-443

21. Powers, H. S., Conway, T. L., McKenzie, T. L., Sallis, J. F., & Marshall, S. J. (2002). Participation in extracurricular physical activity programs in middle schools. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 73, 187-192. (June)

22. Sallis, J. F., Conway, T. L., Prochaska, J. J., McKenzie, T. L., Marshall, S. & Brown, M. (2001). School environments are associated with youth physical activity. American Journal of Public Health, 91, 618-620.

23. Sallis, J.F., McKenzie, T.L. Conway, T.L., Elder, J.P., Prochaska, J.J., Brown, M., Marshall, S.J., Alcaraz, J.E., Rosengard, R., Strelow, J., & Powers, H. (2002). Promoting and measuring youth physical activity throughout the school day: Project M-SPAN. Acta Kinesiologiae Universitatis Tartuensis, 7 (supplement), 44-53. (published in Estonia)

24. Strelow, J. S., Larson, J. J., Sallis, J. F., Conway, T. L., Powers, H. S., McKenzie, T. L. (2002). Factors influencing the performance of volunteers who provide physical activity in middle schools. Journal of School Health, 72, 147-151.

25. Abstracts: Nigg, C., Geller, K., Adams, P., Hamada, M., Hwang, P., & Chung, R. (2010). Successful Dissemination of Fun 5: A physical activity and nutrition program. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 32, S203.


SPARK CURRICULA

1. Grinder, F., Garcia-Roger, B., Rosengard, P., (2011). SPARK: Early Childhood/Preschool Program. San Diego: SDSU Foundation.

2. Baranowski, M., McKenzie, T. L., Rosengard, P., Short, K., Williston, B., (2008). SPARK Physical Education Program, Grades K-2. San Diego: SDSU Foundation.

3. McKenzie, T. L., & Rosengard, P., Willison, B., (2006). SPARK Physical Education Program, Grades 3-6. San Diego: SDSU Foundation.

4. Baranowski, M., DeJager, D., Hart, A., Himberg, C., McKenzie, T. L., Rosengard, P., Strikmiller, Patty, & Williston, B., (2011). SPARK Physical Education Program, Grades 6-8. San Diego: SDSU Foundation.

5. Hart, A., Mohr, D., Rosengard, P., Townsend, J., (2011). SPARK Physical Education Program, Grades 9-12. San Diego: SDSU Foundation.

6. McKenzie, T. L., Rosengard, P., Short, K., & Strelow, J. (2000). SPARK: After School Program, Ages 5-14. San Diego: SDSU Foundation.

7. Goggin, K., Williston, J., Rosengard, P., Bernal, R., Sallis, J., & McKenzie, T. L. (1993). SPARK Self-Management, Level I. San Diego: SDSU Foundation. (116 pages)

8. Armstrong, C., Rosengard, P., Condon, A., Sallis, J., Bernal, R., & McKenzie, T. L. (1993). SPARK Self-Management, Level II. San Diego: SDSU Foundation. (97 pages)

Early Childhood:

1. Prosper, M.H., Moczulski V.L., Qureshi, A., Weiss,M., & Bryars,T. Healthy for Life/PE4ME: Assessing an Intervention Targeting Childhood Obesity. Californian Journal of Health Promotion 2009, Volume 7, Special Issue (Obesity Prevention). Read Now

2. Bryars, T. B., Mouttapa, M., McMahan, S., Tanjasiri, S. The Effects of a School-based Obesity Prevention/Intervention Program Targeting Preschool Children. Read Now

3. Bryars, T. B., Mouttapa, M., McMahan, S., Tanjasiri, S. Longitudinal Results of a School-Based Obesity Prevention Program Targeting Ethnically Diverse, Early Childhood Students. Read Now

4. Physical Activity Curriculum Training for Early Childhood Educators: 2006-2007 Evaluation Outcomes, Final Report. – LINK TO PDF: SPARK-EC-Outcomes-NYC Read Now

5. Poster: Head Start Partnership to Prevent Childhood Obesity in New York State. Read Now

6. Poster 1: The Effects of a School Based Obesity Prevention/Intervention Program Targeting Preschool Children (Healthy For Life). Read Now

7. Poster 2: The Effects of a School Based Obesity Prevention/Intervention Program Targeting Preschool Children (Healthy For Life). Read Now

8. SPARK Early Childhood Research Overview. Read Now

After School:

1. Nigg, C. R., Battista, J., Chang, J. A., Yamashita, M. & Chung, R. S. (2005). Elementary After School Programs: An Opportunity to Promote Physical Activity for Children. Californian Journal of Health Promotion 2005, Volume 3, Issue 4, 108-118. Read Now

2. Nigg, C., Geller, K., Adams, P., Hamada, M., Hwang, P. & Chung, R. (2012). Successful Dissemination of Fun 5 – A Physical Activity and Nutrition Program for Children. Translational Behavioral Medicine: Practice, Policy and Research. doi: 10.1007/s13142-012-0120-0. Read Now


Relevant Research & Publications

Haney, K., et al. (2014). Park-based afterschool program to improve cardiovascular health and physical fitness in children with disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 7(3): 335-342. Read Now

Torrijos-Nino et al. (2014) Physical Fitness, Obesity, and Academic Achievement in Schoolchildren. The Journal of Pediatrics, Volume 165, Issue 1, Pages 104-109, July 2014. Read Now

Jennifer Houston & Pamela Kulinna (2014) Health-Related Fitness Models in Physical Education, Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, 27:2, 20-26. Read Now

Thompson HR, Linchey J, Madsen KA. Are Physical Education Policies Working? A Snapshot From San Francisco, 2011. Prev Chronic Dis 2013; 10; 130108. Read Now

Lounsbery, M., McKenzie, T. Morrow, J. Holt, K. Budnar, R. (2013). School Physical Activity Policy Assessment. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2013, 10, 496-503.Read Now

Lounsbery M., McKenzie T., Morrow Jr. J., Monnat S., Holt K (2013). District and School Physical Education Policies: Implications for Physical Education and Recess Time. The Society of Behavioral Medicine. 19 January 2013. Read Now

Londsale C, Rosenkranz R, Peralta L, Bennie A, Fahey P, Lubans D. A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions designed to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in school physical education lessons. Preventive Medicine 56 (2013) 125-161. Read Now

Bassett D, Fitzhugh E, Heath G, Erwin P, Frederick G, Wolff D, Welch W, Stout A. Estimated Energy Expenditures for School-Based Policies and Active Living. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2013; 44(2): 108-113. Read Now

Sallis J., McKenzie T., Beets M., Beighle A., Erwin H., Lee S. (2012). Physical Education’s Role in Public Health: Steps Forward and Backward Over 20 Years and HOPE for the Future. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. Vol. 83, No. 2, pp. 125-135. Read Now

POSTER: Health Optimizing Physical Education (HOPE): A 23-Year Case-Study of Translating Evidence-Based Research. Thom McKenzie (San Diego State University), Paul Rosengard (The SPARK Programs), & James Sallis (University of California, San Diego). Read Now

BROCHURE: Are Students Receiving Quality PE? Support for this brochure was provided by a grant (#65563) to Monica Lounsbery and Thom McKenzie from Active Living Research, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Read Now

Liew, J., Xiang, P., Johnson, A., Kwok, O. (2011). Effortful Persistence and Body Mass as Predictors of Running Achievement in Children and Youth; A Longitudinal Study. Jounal of Physical Activity and Health, 2011, 8, 234-243. Read Now

Southwest Arkansas Elementary School Shows the Way to Reducing Obesity. Ken Endris, Principal, Fouke Elementary, Fouke School District, Fouke, Arkansas 71837 Read Now

Villanueva, Edgar. In-School Prevention of Obesity and Disease (IsPOD). NC Med J, November/December 2008, Volume 69, Number 6. Read Now

Research & Evaluation Network. Health Foundation of South Florida Healthy Lifestyles Initiative Program Evaluation Brief Report: Miami Dade County Public Schools. August 19, 2010. Read Now

The Society of State Leaders of Health and Physical Education. Making the Connection II: Health and Student Achievement. Physical Education Stories from the Field. 2010. Read Now

San Diego State University. Physical Education Matters. A Full Report from The California Endowment. Los Angeles, CA. January 2008. www.calendow.org Read Now

Sallis, J., McKenzie T. Physical Education’s Role in Public Health (1991). Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. Vol. 62, No. 2, pp 124-137. Read Now

VIDEO: Making the Most Physical Education Advocacy. Active Living Research. September 30, 2011. Read Now