Original scientific paper

Play area and physical activity in recess in primary schools

Yolanda Escalante ; Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte, AFIDES Research Group, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
Karianne Backx ; School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
Jose M. Saavedra ; Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte, AFIDES Research Group, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
Antonio García-Hermoso ; Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte, AFIDES Research Group, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
Ana M. Domínguez ; Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte, AFIDES Research Group, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to describe the daily physical activity (PA) during recess of primary-school children and its relationship with the play area and their age. 738 children (8.5±1.7 years, range six to eleven years) participated in the study. The playground recess PA of each child was measured using accelerometry. An ANOVA was used to determine the differences in PA by play area (large >15 m2/child
and small area <8 m2/child) in each age group. In general, the children in larger play areas were more active than the children in small play areas (effect size=.36). This difference was larger in nine-year (effect size =.81), ten-year (effect size =.60) and eleven-year old children (effect size =.55). It seems necessary to carry out strategies that provide a greater opportunity for PA in small playgrounds with a high density of children.

Keywords

childhood; exercise; health; sedentary lifestyle

Hrčak ID:

94560

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/94560

Publication date:

31.12.2012.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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