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An exploratory study of seasonality and preschoolers' physical activity engagement
Bo Shen1, Gwen Alexander, Sharon Milberger
1Dept of Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Studies, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
Insights
Physical activity in preschoolers declines from fall to winter, particularly after school and on weekends. Preschool environments may help mitigate this seasonal decrease in activity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Environmental Health
- Child Development
Background:
- Limited research exists on seasonal variations in physical activity among preschool-aged children.
- Understanding these variations is crucial for developing targeted health interventions.
- This study addresses the need to investigate seasonal physical activity changes in preschoolers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine seasonal variations in physical activity from fall to winter in preschool children.
- To identify contextual factors influencing physical activity levels across seasons.
Main Methods:
- Forty-six preschool children participated from two Midwestern preschools.
- Habitual physical activity was measured weekly using GT1M Actigraph accelerometers in fall and winter.
- Paired sample t tests were used to analyze seasonal differences in physical activity.
Main Results:
- Overall physical activity levels decreased from fall to winter.
- Seasonal differences were less pronounced during preschool hours and weekdays compared to after-school and weekend periods.
- Contextual factors appear to moderate the impact of seasonality on physical activity.
Conclusions:
- Preschool policies and curricula can influence physical activity levels and potentially mitigate seasonal declines.
- Preschools represent a critical setting for combating childhood physical inactivity and obesity.
- Targeted interventions within preschool settings hold promise for promoting year-round physical activity.
Background:
While there is an emerging body of literature showing variations in physical activity between seasons, further investigation is needed to better understand this association in preschool-age children. This study was designed to examine seasonal variation from fall to winter in physical activity among preschoolers.
Methods:
Forty-six preschool children from 2 preschools in a large Midwestern Metropolitan area completed weekly habitual physical activity measures in both fall and following winter. The habitual physical activity was quantified with the GT1M Actigraph uniaxial accelerometer. To determine seasonal differences in physical activity, a series of paired sample t tests were conducted.
Results:
Although overall physical activity level declined in winter, the magnitude of seasonality effects seem varied in terms of contexts. Compared with the decline during after-school time and during weekends, the differences in physical activity across the 2 seasons were much less evident during the time attending preschool and during weekdays.
Conclusion:
Seasonality in physical activity can be moderated by other contextual factors, such as preschool policies and curriculum. Preschools may serve as a major battlefield for fighting against physical inactivity and obesity during childhood due to their practical controllability.
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