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Published on: July 27, 2022
Children's physical activity levels during school recess: a quasi-experimental intervention study
Nicola D Ridgers1, Gareth Stratton, Stuart J Fairclough
1Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Henry Cotton Campus, 15-21 Webster Street, Liverpool L3 2ET, UK. n.ridgers@ljmu.ac.uk
Summary
Playground redesigns show small, non-significant increases in children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The intervention was more effective for younger children and with longer recess periods, highlighting the complexity of increasing physical activity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric physical activity
- Environmental interventions
- Childhood obesity prevention
Background:
- Recess is a key opportunity for children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA).
- Limited research exists on large-scale recess interventions and their influencing factors.
- Investigating playground design's impact on physical activity is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the short-term effects of playground redesign (markings and structures) on children's recess physical activity.
- To examine how covariates influence the effectiveness of playground interventions.
Main Methods:
- 150 boys and 147 girls wore accelerometers to measure physical activity during recess.
- 15 schools received playground redesigns; 11 served as controls.
- Multilevel analyses examined MVPA and VPA, adjusting for baseline activity, age, gender, recess length, and BMI.
Main Results:
- Playground redesign led to small, non-significant increases in MVPA and VPA.
- Boys engaged in more MVPA and VPA than girls.
- Intervention effects were stronger for younger children and with longer recess durations.
Conclusions:
- Playground redesigns show potential but non-significant increases in children's recess physical activity.
- Intervention effectiveness is moderated by child age and recess duration.
- Considering school and pupil-level factors is essential for effective playground interventions.
