Systematic Review of Service-Learning in Youth Physical Activity Settings

The extent to which service-learning exists in the field of kinesiology broadly, and more specifically related to the physical activity of youth, remains largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the service-learning literature in kinesiology, with a specific focus on youth physical activity settings. Following a thorough search, 42 peer-reviewed publications were organized around the key characteristics and consistent trends that emerged from inductive analysis. Overall, results separated into three publication types: research, program overview, and implementation strategy. Research publications indicated that mounting evidence exists for the impact of service-learning on undergraduate students, while program overview and implementation strategy publications described a variety of successful service-learning programs that kinesiology educators might emulate in the future. This review provides a comprehensive, evaluative, and current service-learning compendium that can be used to inform further service-learning research and practitioner activities in youth physical activity settings.