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Schoolyard Characteristics, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Behavior: Combining GPS and Accelerometry
Dave H H Van Kann1, Sanne I de Vries2, Jasper Schipperijn3
1Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands.
The Journal of School Health
|November 21, 2016
Summary
Schoolyard design and policies significantly impact children's physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB). Well-equipped schoolyards with supportive policies and teacher-led activities promote more PA and less SB in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Environmental Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood physical activity (PA) is declining, while sedentary behavior (SB) is rising.
- Schoolyards are potential environments to positively influence children's PA and SB.
- Understanding schoolyard characteristics associated with PA and SB is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between schoolyard characteristics and children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and SB.
- To identify specific schoolyard features that encourage PA and discourage SB in children aged 8-11 years.
Main Methods:
- Objective assessment of PA and schoolyard presence using accelerometers and GPS devices in 257 children from 20 Dutch primary schools.
- Data merging via the personal activity and location measurement system.
- Multilevel linear regression analyses to determine correlates of MVPA and SB.
Main Results:
- Children spent an average of 54 minutes in schoolyards daily, with 9 minutes in MVPA and 20 minutes in SB.
- Boys exhibited higher MVPA than girls during schoolyard time.
- Fixed equipment (e.g., high bars, soccer goals), teacher-led activities, and ball game policies correlated with increased MVPA and decreased SB.
Conclusions:
- Optimally designed schoolyards can promote PA and reduce SB in children.
- PA-enhancing fixed equipment, supportive teacher-led activities, and effective schoolyard policies are key factors.
- Interventions targeting schoolyard design and policies can improve children's activity levels during recess.
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