Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training
06:51

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training

Published on: July 27, 2022

Impact of preschool environment upon children's physical activity and sun exposure

Cecilia Boldemann1, Margareta Blennow, Henrik Dal

  • 1Center for Public Health, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. cecilia.bildemann@sll.se

Preventive Medicine
|February 2, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Preschool outdoor environments with trees and varied terrain encourage children's physical activity and reduce ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure. These natural settings promote healthier outdoor play for young children.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Outdoor environments significantly influence children's health behaviors.
  • The study investigates the link between outdoor physical qualities and children's activity and UV exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of preschool outdoor environments on physical activity and ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure.
  • To analyze how environmental features like vegetation and topography affect children's behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Pedometry and UV radiation measurements were conducted on 197 children aged 4-6 years in 11 Stockholm preschools.
  • Data on outdoor environment characteristics (vegetation, topography, space) and UV radiation were collected.
  • Linear mixed models were used for data analysis.

Main Results:

  • Environments with trees, shrubbery, and broken ground showed higher mean step counts (21.5/min) and lower UV exposure (14.6%).
  • Conversely, delimited environments with less vegetation had lower step counts (17.7/min) but higher UV exposure (24.3%).
  • Significant differences in activity and UV exposure were observed based on environmental characteristics.

Conclusions:

  • Spacious outdoor preschool environments rich in vegetation and varied topography promote physical activity and offer protection from UV radiation.
  • Access to such naturalistic environments is recommended in community planning for preschools.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Four Temporary Waterslide Designs Adapted to Different Slope Conditions to Encourage Child Socialization in Playgrounds06:00

Four Temporary Waterslide Designs Adapted to Different Slope Conditions to Encourage Child Socialization in Playgrounds

Published on: December 9, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...
Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences01:28

Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences

Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Naturalistic Observations02:30

Naturalistic Observations

If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...
Factors Influencing Attraction II: Physical Attraction01:21

Factors Influencing Attraction II: Physical Attraction

Physical attractiveness plays a crucial role in shaping interpersonal attraction, influencing first impressions, social interactions, and long-term relationship dynamics. Psychological research consistently demonstrates that attractiveness affects social evaluations and behavioral outcomes in various contexts.Influence on Social InteractionsResearch has shown that individuals perceived as physically attractive often experience preferential treatment in social and professional settings. One...