Cost Utility Analysis of an After-School Sports Sampling Program.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2024

Identifier

DOI: 10.1177/08901171231210386

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study are to describe the costs of implementing an after-school physical activity intervention in three diverse, low-resourced, schools and to understand the potential aerobic impact of this program by cost.

DESIGN: We conducted a cost utilization study from an 8.5-month physical activity intervention.

SETTING: Three diverse, low-resourced, middle schools in the Midwest; The sample (N = 178) were mostly males (52.2%), African American or Black (54.8%), and divided between 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.

METHOD: Costs were collected from contracts, invoices, payroll, and receipts. Metabolic equivalents were collected from past literature. Costs/MET-hour were calculated for the schools and entire program by dividing costs by total MET-hours engaged in physical activity.

RESULTS: Costs were $2.51/MET-hour, $8.96/MET-hour, and $10.73/MET-hour for the three schools. On average, the intervention had a cost of $4.73/MET-hour.

CONCLUSIONS: Cost/MET-hour for the present study is comparable or lower than other school-based physical activity interventions that require additional staff time and programming outside of standard classroom activities. Scale-up of after-school programs may be one way to improve the costs of programs in both schools and districts.

Journal Title

American journal of health promotion : AJHP

Volume

38

Issue

2

First Page

161

Last Page

166

MeSH Keywords

Male; Humans; Female; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Sports; Exercise

Keywords

cost utility; middle school; physical activity; youth

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