From the Editor-in-Chief . . .
Kennedy and colleagues present "Resistance Training for Teens," a program to promote physical activity in secondary schools in Australia. This program has been evaluated for effectiveness and is now utilizing the RE-AIM framework for widespread dissemination (RE-AIM: Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance). The paper discusses the transfer of knowledge to teachers as the program delivery agents. The mechanism of transfer is workshops that provide both theory and practical skills and strategies. Beyond acting as delivery agents, teachers become part of the research and transformational process and contribute to the design of the implementation strategies. To fully integrate teachers and their ideas regarding implementation, interviews were conducted to discuss strategies to overcome perceived barriers and to determine how the program was used in various school settings such as physical education, outside of school, etc., and ways to motivate participation. Of particular interest are the comments of teachers regarding maintenance of the program with thoughts ranging from certainty of continuation to considerable doubts. In short, this article provides keen insight into the process and methods of dissemination and the successes and barriers during the dissemination and in final maintenance.
The Translational Journal of The American College of Sports Medicine publishes research, reviews, and policy regarding physical activity and the attempt to move knowledge into practice. Please visit the ACSM web site for information for authors.
Joseph E. Donnelly, EdD, FACSM
