Study design and protocol for a mixed methods evaluation of an intervention to reduce and break up sitting time in primary school classrooms in the UK: The CLASS PAL (Physically Active Learning) Programme

Abstract
Introduction
Children spend a significant amount of time sitting in school, especially in the classroom. To address this, various strategies have been created to incorporate physical activity into learning, including a method known as movement integration (MI). However, no single approach can fully accommodate the diverse needs of all students and teachers. This protocol describes an implementation study of a primary school-based MI initiative called the CLASS PAL (Physically Active Learning) program. The study aims to (A) assess the implementation level of CLASS PAL, (B) identify the processes through which teachers and schools adopt CLASS PAL, and (C) explore individual (both pupil and teacher) and school-level characteristics that influence the program’s implementation.

Methods and Analysis
The intervention will equip teachers with a professional development workshop and a tailored teaching resources website. The study will employ a single-group before-and-after design, enhanced by multiple interim measurements. Six state-funded primary schools in Leicestershire, UK, will participate. Evaluation data will be gathered before implementation and at four key points during the process: At Measurement 0 (October 2016), we will collect data on school, teacher, and pupil characteristics. Measurements 0 and 3 (June-July 2017) will include data on accelerometry, cognitive functioning, self-reported sitting habits, and classroom engagement. Teacher interviews and pupil focus groups will take place at Measurements 1 (December 2016-March 2017), 3, and 4 (September-October 2017), while classroom observations will occur at Measurements 1 and 2 (April-May 2017). Implementation data will be tracked through website analytics and ongoing teacher logs.

Ethics and Dissemination
Ethical approval for this study was granted by the Loughborough University Human Participants Ethics Sub-Committee (Reference number: R16-P115). Results will be shared through practitioner and research journals, as well as with relevant regional and national stakeholders via print and online media and dedicated dissemination R16 events.