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

This article focuses on the costs and aerobic impact of implementing an after-school physical activity intervention called Move More Get More (MMGM) in three diverse, low-resourced middle schools in the Midwest. The study found that the total cost to deliver the program was $152,857.98, with an average cost of $4.73 per metabolic equivalent (MET)-hour, a standardized measure of energy expenditure. Costs per MET-hour varied across schools, ranging from $2.51 to $10.73, and were comparable to or lower than other school-based physical activity interventions requiring additional staff and programming. The findings highlight the potential for after-school programs to be a cost-effective strategy to increase physical activity among predominantly African American and other minoritized youth in resource-limited settings, emphasizing the importance of maximizing session length and participant reach to improve cost utility.