Changing the School Environment to Increase Physical Activity in Children

Abstract

We examined the hypothesis that elementary school-age children will be more physically active while attending school in a novel, activity-permissive school environment compared to their traditional school environment. Twentyfour children were monitored with a single-triaxial accelerometer worn on the thigh. The students attended school in three different environments: traditional school with chairs and desks, an activity-permissive environment, and finally their traditional school with desks which encouraged standing. Data from the school children were compared with another group of age-matched children (n = 16) whose physical activity was monitored during summer vacation. When children attended school in their traditional environment, they moved an average (mean ± s.d.) of 71 ± 0.4 m/s 2 . When the children attended school in the activity-permissive environment, they moved an average of 115 ± 3 m/s 2 . The children moved 71 ± 0.7 m/s 2 while attending the traditional school with standing desks. Children moved significantly more while attending school in the activity-permissive environment compared to the amount that they moved in either of the traditional school environments (P < 0.0001 for both). Comparing children's activity while they were on summer vacation (113 ± 8 m/s 2 ) to school-bound children in their traditional environment showed significantly more activity for the children on summer vacation (P < 0.0001). The school children in the activity-permissive environment were as active as children on summer vacation. Children will move more in an activity-permissive environment. Strategies to increase the activity of school children may involve re-designing the school itself.

Classroom Standing Desks and Sedentary Behavior: A Systematic Review

“…Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention BMIfor-age percentiles, 28 3 samples had a normal mean BMI (BMI ≥5th and <85th percentiles). 25,26,29 Three other samples were overweight/obese (BMI ≥85th percentile), 27,30,31 and 2 additional studies did not report BMI or height and weight measures to derive BMI. 24,32 Geographically, 4 studies were conducted in the United States, 2 in New Zealand, 1 in Germany, and 1 article reported individual findings from Australia and England.…”

“…25 In another study that examined differences between 3 intervention exposures (activity-permissive classroom versus traditional desk classroom versus standing desk classroom), significantly more movement for the activity-permissive classroom compared with the 2 other exposures was found (115 m/s 2 vs 71 m/s 2 vs 71 m/s 2 ; P < .001). 31 However, it is worth noting that there may have been an order effect because the same sample experienced all 3 conditions. However, in another study that used accelerometry to evaluate physical activity, significantly more movement in the standing desk classroom compared with the control classroom was found over a 30-minute period of observation (538 ± 229 vs 134 ± 94 cpm; P < .001).…”

“…The first was an adjustable "standing desk" without the use of a stool; this design was used in 3 studies. [30][31][32] The other design was a "sit-to-stand" desk that incorporated both an adjustable standing desk and stool, and some desks included a swinging foot pendulum that permits extra movement and helps to correct posture. [24][25][26][27]29 There were no marked differences in outcomes between standing desk or sit-tostand desk designs; henceforth, the term "standing desk" is used to represent both types of desks.…”

“…27,31,32 In 1 of these studies, the effect of 3 classroom arrangements, including a traditional sitting desk, standing desk, and an activity-permissive classroom, were examined, and results were reported for each condition. 31 In the other study, the effects of attending school in a traditional classroom compared with an activitypermissive school environment were examined. In these studies, traditional desks were replaced with standing desks, but floor mats, exercise balls, and beanbags were also available for children to use if tired.…”

“…24,25,27,30,31 In addition to the standing desk intervention, 3 interventions included other nontraditional furniture to induce an activity-permissive and comfortable classroom. 27,31,32 In 1 of these studies, the effect of 3 classroom arrangements, including a traditional sitting desk, standing desk, and an activity-permissive classroom, were examined, and results were reported for each condition. 31 In the other study, the effects of attending school in a traditional classroom compared with an activitypermissive school environment were examined.…”