Physical activity and school recess time: Differences between the sexes and the relationship between children's playground physical activity and habitual physical activity

Abstract

The aims of this study were: (1) to observe participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during school recess periods; (2) to determine the relative importance of physical activity during recesses to overall daily physical activity; and (3) to examine differences in physical activity between the sexes during unstructured recess periods. The participants were 22 school children (10 boys, 12 girls) aged 8 - 10 years (mean = 8.9, s = 0.7) in the third and fourth grades. Daily totals for the physical activity variables were calculated by summing the values for each hour of 14 h of physical activity measurements (08:00 to 22:00 h). Recess times (minutes) were as follows: morning 10:30 to 11:00 h and afternoon 15:30 to 16:00 h. We did not differences between boys and girls in daily total accelerometer counts or the overall time spent in MVPA. However, girls were significantly (P < 0.05) more involved (38%) in MVPA during recess time than boys (31%). Participation in MVPA during recess contributes significantly more (P < 0.05) for girls (19%) than boys (15%) to the total amount of physical activity suggested by international health-related physical activity guidelines, while the percentage of time engaged in MVPA during recess time at school accounts for a small amount of the daily MVPA (6% for boys and 8% for girls). The results of this study suggest that school recess time is an important setting to promote MVPA and contributes to daily physical activity in young children, especially in girls.

Comportamento sedentário no recreio escolar e fatores sociodemográficos associados

“…Este período tem sido referido por entidades de saúde pública como um contexto importante para promoção da AF (LOPES, L.; LOPES, V.; PEREIRA, 2006) , apresentando-se como uma excelente oportunidade para os jovens se movimentarem e acumularem AF ao longo do dia (MOTA et al, 2005). Neste sentido, o recreio representa um tempo e um espaço de promoção da saúde (RIDGERS; FAIRCLOUGH, 2006).…”

The Effect of School-based Exercise Practices of 9-11 Year Old Girls Students on Obesity and Health-related Quality of Life

“…Therefore, the SBEP is seen as the main options recommended for school-age children to increase daily PA [10]. Although the PA is often carried out by school-age children outside the school environment, the SBEP plays an important role in the protection of health [11]. However, although the positive relationship between SBPD and leisure time activities was confirmed even in the non-obese school age children, the positive relationship between SBPD was still not well researched [12].…”

Effect Of Adult Leader Participation On Physical Activity In Children

“…For instance, schools have long been regarded as ideal settings for the promotion of PA, as that's where children spend a majority of their time. However, children are not meeting the CATCH recommendations of engaging in 40% moderate-to-vigorous PA during PA sessions, such as recess [33,34]. Although, LP did not increase children's moderate-to-vigorous PA or decrease sedentary behavior in our study, future studies could examine the effect of LP on children's PA during recess or free play in children that do not engage in moderate-to-vigorous PA for at least 40% of the time.…”